Fiery Furnace

The phrase fiery furnace appears eight times in Daniel chapter 3, the word furnace appears ten times. Nebuchadnezzar’s image also has a prominent part in this chapter. From the perspective of the natural man we might view king Nebuchadnezzar as an adversary to the Lord’s people, especially to the three Hebrews. But knowing that God rules in the kingdom of men, we can look at this chapter and know the Lord is crafting events that his kingdom might be established. Why the exaggerated idol of this chapter, which may have been among the largest of all idols! If we consider why the Hebrews came to be in Babylon, we find in part because of Israel’s practice of Idolatry. Jer 5:19 And it shall come to pass, when ye shall say, Wherefore doeth the LORD our God all these things unto us? then shalt thou answer them, Like as ye have forsaken me, and served strange gods in your land, so shall ye serve strangers in a land that is not yours. In Ezekiel chapter 8 and 9 we see the temple of Jerusalem before it’s destruction, containing many idols. Because of idol worship, during Israel’s captivity they would have idols continually pressed upon them. Jer 16:13 Therefore will I cast you out of this land into a land that ye know not, neither ye nor your fathers; and there shall ye serve other gods day and night; where I will not show you favour. Of the many lands where Israel might have been taken we find Israel in what Jeremiah described as ”the land of graven images” Jer 50:38.
In Daniel chapter 3 we see the huge idol standing in the plain, the heathen King Nebuchadnezzar demanding all to bow in reverence. It is remarkable how the Lord would use Nebuchadnezzar, who is described as if he were an obedient servant. Jer 25:9 “Behold, I will send and take all the families of the north, saith the LORD, and Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon, my servant, and will bring them against this land…” Nebuchadnezzar would accomplish God’s will unknown to himself.
We might view this circumstance as chance or the whim of the king. But it seems rather one of great design. The providence of God has brought all too there places that a great work might be accomplished. As visible as this event was the greatest work may have been unseen. Three Hebrews taken captive from a nation plagued by a weakness for idols now face one of the most severe tests involving idolatry. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego standing in the plane of Dura before an idol, possible among thousands who bowed, they did not. Undoubtedly they received scorn of many when taken to the king, then to face Nebuchadnezzar’s firm unwavering words Is it true, O Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, do not ye serve my gods, nor worship the golden image which I have set up? Now if ye be ready that at what time ye hear the sound . . . ye fall down and worship the image which I have made; well: but if ye worship not, ye shall be cast the same hour into the midst of a burning fiery furnace; and who is that God that shall deliver you out of my hands? Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego replied: If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of thine hand, O king. But if not, be it known unto thee, O king, that we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up. Then was Nebuchadnezzar full of fury... To this point there was no test like the furnace heated 7 times hot. This was the Lord’s refining fire. The great furnace would fix in these Jews, that there would never be a shadow of variance from God’s command “Thou shalt have no other gods before me”. It is of such material of whom the City of God is built, who can hold many to the laws of God, keeping men in the way of life. It is of no wonder the city Abraham looked for has been long under construction. Israel’s decline into idolatry made the need clear and Babylon’s preoccupation with idolatry provided the tool for the master craftsmen. And also we learn it was in the fire they meet our Lord. Proverbs 12:6 The words of the LORD are pure words: as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego became a vessel for that word and a good example in faithful endurance.