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Daniel 3- "Yes" to God through a "No"
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Daniel 3- A “Yes” to God through a “No” Read Daniel 3
The author of Daniel is such a visual artist. He paints incredibly vivid pictures in his story telling to engage the imagination and pull you into the story. The story is dramatic and dynamic. The author wants to grab your attention so you get the point.
Following the chapter about Nebuchadnezzar’s dream where his kingdom was represented by a head of gold, the king has a statue of himself made out of all gold and it’s to be worshiped. We should hear the story teller’s nod to Moses and the golden calf story. These young jewish wise men know they aren’t to bow down. They say “no” as a way of saying “yes” to God. They are exiles in a foreign land and they have still become a community that help each other stand and have a clear stance for what they value. They support each other in what is right.
The message is clear. “When we play, you dance. We’re in charge.” This is the proclamation and demand. When the music plays you fall and worship and fall in line or die. It’s simple and clear. Almost everyone did what was expected.
Sometimes there is a lot of debate around the right thing to do. Sometimes it’s incredibly clear. This was a defining moment in the lives of these young men. Do you remember being young and hitting a decision point? Did you go with the crowd or form your own way?
Have you ever gotten in trouble for doing the right thing? Has doing the right thing ever cost you dearly? What was that like?
In verse 16 Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego give a great response to the king. They are clear about what the right thing is for them to do before God. It’s not about them and what they want. It’s not about their safety or comfort. It’s about being true to their values. They tell the King God can save them but even if he doesn’t... they stand their ground. What do you think it would feel like in that moment for them?
They take their stand and earn their sentence. They are thrown into the fire. They weren’t delivered from being exiled from their homeland but they are delivered through the fire. Not from the fire, through the fire. They are not kept from the fire but they are brought through it. How does the message of that moment impact you? What does it say to you?
The story ends with Nebuchadnezzar praising their God and threatening to kill anyone speaks against their God. Quite the change in tune. Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego are promoted. It doesn’t always work out that way, especially in the old testament. The author is making a point about standing in the right place during hard times, through the fire, because eventually you will come out on top. This is the wisdom theme of Proverbs. Where does this speak to you right now?
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