In the last chapter, we talked about friendship, prayer, and our attitude as we approach God. We established that chapter two closes with Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah’s promotion and success. It is easy to think that the events of chapter three are immediately after those of chapter two. However, there are several historians who believe that approximately twenty years have passed between these two chapters. Some of the Greek translations of Scripture even include historical commentary to that effect. If that is the case, the Temple has likely been destroyed before the events of this chapter.

Nebuchadnezzar reigned for forty-three years. The events of Daniel transpire over approximately seventy years. There is plenty of time for Nebuchadnezzar to have grown even more powerful, to have created his hanging gardens (a wonder of the ancient world), and to transform Babylon into an established world power. So, what has happened (historically), between Daniel chapter two and three?

Jehoiakim rebelled in 598 B.C. and is killed by Nebuchadnezzar. This is confirmed independently by the historian Josephus. His death also fulfilled the prophecy in Jeremiah 36:30 and 22:18-19). Nebuchadnezzar deports several thousand skilled tradesmen in approximately 597 B.C. Jehoiakim reigned eleven years. This, taken into account with Jehoiachin’s brief rule, line up with the historical timeline of Jehoiakim beginning his rule in approximately 609 B.C. and coincide with the start of Daniel chapter one. We do need to clarify one point. In 2 Chronicles 36:6, we are told that Jehoiakim was bound in chains to take him to Babylon. However, we know how he died and from what we can tell, he was never taken to Babylon. It is important to note the exact wording of verse 6, Nebuchadnezzar intended to take him to Babylon (during the first wave of deportations with Daniel). However, the verse never says he actually went to Babylon. Apparently, Nebuchadnezzar decided to allow him to continue ruling. When Jehoiakim rebelled several years later, Nebuchadnezzar was in a less forgiving mood.

So, Daniel, Hananiah, Azariah, and Mishael have watched (likely) at least two new waves of their countrymen arrive in Babylon. Jehoiachin reigns for three months before his own removal and deportation to Babylon. That line of kings dies in exile, thus fulfilling the prophecy in Jeremiah that neither Jehoiakim nor Jehoiachin’s descendants would never rule on the throne (Jeremiah 36:30 and Jeremiah 22:28-30). Jesus would eventually come from the line of David’s son, Nathan, not Solomon (Luke 3:31).

After Jehoiakim’s death and Jehoiachin’s deposal, Nebuchadnezzar makes Zedekiah king. Zedekiah is actually Jehoiachin’s uncle and Jehoiakim’s brother (2 Kings 24:17). He was a son of Josiah, whereas Jehoiachin was that man's grandson. Zedekiah is twenty-one when he begins to reign and he refuses to repent. His father died when he was around ten years old. He has seen two brothers and a nephew on the throne. He never should have been king (he was the 3rd born). Regardless, all the examples he has seen do not appear to have made an impression. He is incredibly wicked and double minded. He worshipped idols, shed innocent blood, and tried to get a favorable word from God through Jeremiah (22:1-2, 37:3, 38:14).

When Nebuchadnezzar finally conquers Jerusalem the third time (and destroys that city), Zedekiah tries to escape. His sons are killed before his eyes, his eyes are put out, and he is taken in chains to Babylon (2 Kings 25:4-7). As a side note, Zedekiah was very young when he began ruling (twenty-one). He reigned for eleven years. His children would have been quite young. I can’t imagine how awful it would have been for them to experience such a terrible death, much less for that to have been the last thing Zedekiah ever saw.

So, Daniel, Hananiah, Azariah, and Mishael’s homeland has been completely destroyed, they have two former kings rotting in a Babylonian prison, and Nebuchadnezzar decides to build a statue in his own honor. I’m sure their faith was incredibly strengthened by their circumstances…right? Of course not! These young men are likely in their early/mid-thirties  and their world has been destroyed time and time again. They are working in the court of the monster who has killed their family members and destroyed their Temple. If their frame of reference were anything other than the constant certainty of their God, they would have (likely) abandoned their faith or will to live many years before this. It is so easy to get caught up in our circumstances and question God. These young men endured so much, but they remained faithful. They trusted the unseen.

So, chapter three opens with Nebuchadnezzar’s decision to build a statue. We are told it is ninety feet tall and nine feet wide. Likely, to support that dimension, a large part of it was a solid pedestal on which a statue would have been set. Archeologists have actually found large pedestals, in this region as they have excavated ancient sites. We are told that it was covered in gold. Can you imagine something this tall, covered in gold, in that climate? The reflection alone would have made it difficult to look at. I can’t help but wonder if that was the point? The statue was supposed to be the ultimate refection of Nebuchadnezzar’s glory. It was a tribute to his power. It was a cheap recreation of the wondrous glory that filled the Temple. There is a vast difference between people not being able to gaze upon a statue because the sun is bright and people not being able to gaze upon the holiness of an almighty and righteous God. Interestingly, we are told it was built on the plain of Dura. Some have argued that this was very close to the original Tower of Babel (Genesis 11:2).

Regardless, this was apparently set up so that a massive crowd could “worship” at one time. Some have estimated that this monstrosity could have been seen for thirteen miles. We pick up the actual story in verse two.

V. 2-3 – Notice that no one declines this “invitation.” There was no mechanism of refusal. I’m busy and already have plans was not going to satisfy this narcissistic egotistical king.

V. 4-6 – Apparently, this was a way for Nebuchadnezzar to reinforce the fact that “his” god, was more powerful. Some have argued that this statue was in homage to Nebuchadnezzar, but others believe it was in tribute to the chief deity of Babylon. Regardless, this is a communal worship effort. There was music, an excited atmosphere, peer pressure, and the threat of immediate death if they refused. Not only would they face death, but it would be a miserably tortuous end in fire.

V. 7 – They all bowed. No other religion, at that time, claimed exclusivity. Islam did not yet exist (in its current form). Along with that religion, Judaism, and Christianity, have stood as the pillars of “one God and one path to redemption” belief systems. No one else had such a high view of their deity. They all worshipped multiple gods anyway, what was one more? There was no sense of holiness or distinctness of worship. Apparently, the other Jews were willing to compromise their beliefs. Perhaps they felt that Jehovah had been unable to save them from Babylon so he was clearly less powerful than this maniacal king and Marduk? Perhaps they were simply pressured and afraid. Regardless, there is a mass worship of Nebuchadnezzar’s creation.

V. 8-11 – Officers of Nebuchadnezzar’s court maliciously accused Hananiah, Azariah, and Mishael of refusing to worship the statue.

V. 12 – Apparently, Daniel is not included in this accusation. We are never told of Daniel sinning. We have record of his great faith from Ezekiel and God gives a glowing endorsement of Daniel’s character in chapter nine. It seems there are two options.

1. Possibly, Daniel was not there. Perhaps he had been sent on a special assignment by Nebuchadnezzar

2. Daniel was there, but was given an exception to the rule that everyone must worship.

See, Nebuchadnezzar had already acknowledged that Daniel was different (Daniel 2:46-47). Daniel had been able to do things that no one else could do. Nebuchadnezzar literally thought that Daniel was possessed by the spirit of God. I believe Daniel was probably the only person who got a pass on this rule. I can’t imagine what the final meeting was like between Daniel and his friends. They had to know what was coming. I would think that Daniel had been exerting all his influence to save them from the fate of certain death, but he was not successful. Can you imagine how fervently he was lifting them up in prayer? We pray and intercede for people. There are even times that we do it unceasingly. The desperation with which Daniel approached heaven’s throne the closer this date approached must have been relentless. It is a good thing that God is never wearied by our prayers and that the effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much (James 5:16).

Can you imagine surviving everything these young men have experienced only to know you will (likely) burn to death? Their faith is remarkable, and I can’t imagine how they were comforted to have already so experientially known the power of prayer after the events of chapter two.

V. 13-15 – The arrogance found in these verses should not astonish us. If a man is so egotistical as to build a ninety-foot statue and has conquered most of the known world, it is no wonder that he felt invincible. The question of “who is the god who will deliver you out of my hands?” is pure mockery, but it is also very practical. None of the nations had been able to stand in the path of Nebuchadnezzar. He had destroyed the Temple. In his mind, the destruction of Jerusalem and the place where their God was worshipped meant that his god was better than their God. However, we are told that God does not dwell in temples made with hands (Acts 7:48-49). He is the eternal ruler, and even though Nebuchadnezzar’s taunts must have hurt, Hananiah, Azariah, and Mishael were not deterred in their faith or commitment.

V. 16 – Basically, they don’t have to give the issue a lot of thought or consideration. It also has the idea that their actions have already spoken for them. They remain firm in their convictions, even in the face of torturous death.

V. 17 – Our God is able to deliver. Notice, he can deliver. He can deliver from the fire, trial, cancer, loss of loved ones, shattered dreams, family struggles, you fill in the blank. However, he will deliver us from your hand. I believe this principle is key to the entire book of Daniel. These men acknowledged that God will deliver them from Nebuchadnezzar – even if he does not deliver them from the fire. These three understood that God is sovereign. Whatever happened to them had been filtered through the hands of a loving God who had not vacated his throne. The destruction of a building had not limited his power. The king would not be the one who decided their fate. God could deliver them from the trial, but even if God allowed them to die – it would not be because Nebuchadnezzar was in charge. If we approach the trials and hardships of this life with the perspective that God is in control despite our circumstances, it will save us a tremendous amount of anxiety and worry.

V. 18 – If not. After my cancer, I got my first tattoo. It says, “But if not” in reference to this verse. Regardless of what happens. Even when it seems that the storm is too big, the right choice is always obedience. Hananiah, Azariah, and Mishael’s perspective on God was not determined by their circumstances. They were not relying on a feeling or an outcome to be obedient. They had surrendered many years ago, trusting that God had a plan that was far greater than their own. Their times were in his hands, not in the king standing before them.

There are many, “but if not” moments in the Bible. The disciples refused to be persecuted into changing the gospel – and that transformed the world. The prophets would not change their message even though many were killed – and we now have much of the Old Testament. Faithful men and women have refused to bow before persecution and torture – and we have a cloud of faithful witnesses. Too often, we compromise before the “but if not” moment. We hedge our bets and don’t want to seem too extreme. I am often guilty of this. These men stood firm in their convictions – regardless of what man threatened.

Most of you know the rest of the story. Nebuchadnezzar is furious (v.19). He orders the furnace to be heated even more than usual. They bind the three men (v. 20-21). The men who were supposed to cast Hananiah, Azariah, and Mishael into the fire die because of the extreme heat (v. 22). Kind Nebuchadnezzar had apparently stayed to watch their demise, but he is in for the shock of his life in verse 24. They cast three men into the fire, but there were four walking in the midst of the flame – unbound and unharmed. They were not alone in the fire. While we are not told if this is an angel or a Christophany (a pre-incarnate appearance of Christ), I like to think it was the Son of God. Regardless, the result is their deliverance.

Nebuchadnezzar calls them to come out, and they are unharmed. Specifically, we are told, “The fire had not had any power over the bodies of those men” (v. 27). God left no doubt in the minds of all gathered, that a supernatural rescue had occurred. Nebuchadnezzar acknowledges the power of God’s deliverance (v. 28). Notice, in each case Nebuchadnezzar has tied God to a specific person. In chapter two he was Daniel’s God, here he uniquely belongs to these men. Nebuchadnezzar still does not have a frame of reference for an Almighty God who reigns over all the earth. That understanding will change in chapter four.

There are many people who are not delivered from the fire or trial, but we do not walk alone. He never abandons his children. His enabling grace and our obedience go hand in hand even when we have to take a deep breath and utter those words…but if not.