Fireproof Four (Daniel 3)

Men of Courage

Victor M. Eskew

 

INTRODUCTION

 

A.   The lesson title for this study is:  “Fireproof Four.”

1.    The account is taken from Daniel 3.

2.    It involves three Hebrews youths who were in Babylonian captivity during the reign of Nebuchadnezzar.  Their names were Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego.

 

B.   Again, most of us are very familiar with this Old Testament story.

 

C.   Like the previous session, we want to impress you with one important concept from this impressive event.  We want you to understand and desire a much-needed trait called courage.

 

I.             BACKGROUND INFORMATION

 

A.   The Babylonian Empire was north of the land of Israel.

1.    The first king was a man named Nabopolassar.

2.    The second king of Babylon was Nebuchadnezzar.

a.    He reigned for 43 years, from 605 B.C. to 562 B.C.

b.    He is the king responsible for the captivity of the Southern Kingdom called Judah.

 

B.   Many Jews were taken into the land of Babylon.

1.    They were the slaves of the Babylonian king.

2.    Some of the young men who were handsome, smart, and talented were proven and brought into the service of the king himself.

3.    Daniel rose to power after he interpreted the dream of Nebuchadnezzar concerning a great image whose brightness was excellent and whose form was said to be terrible (Dan. 2:32).

a.    He was the “ruler over the whole province of Babylon, and chief of the governors over all the wise men” (Dan. 2:48).

b.    It was at his request that Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego were set “over the affairs of the province of Babylon” (Dan. 2:49).

 

C.   Kings like Nebuchadnezzar were not worshipers of the true God, Jehovah.  Their ignorance and superstitious natures often caused them to worship idols. 

1.    On one occasion, “Nebuchadnezzar made an image of gold” (Dan. 3:1) and commanded all “people, nations, and languages” (Dan. 3:4) to “fall down and worship the golden image” (Dan. 3:5).

2.    With the command came the sentence of death upon all who refused to worship the image (Dan. 3:6).

 

And whoso falleth not down and worshipeth shall the same hour be cast into the midst of the burning fiery furnace.

 

3.    This command put Jews like Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego in a predicament.

a.    The Law of Moses was plain when it came to worshiping other gods (Exo. 20:3-5a).

 

Thou shalt have no other gods before me.  thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth:  thou shalt not bow down thyself unto them, nor serve them:  for I the Lord thy God am a jealous God…

 

b.    These three Hebrews youths were put into a decision that was a life or death matter. 

1)    Worship the image and live.

2)    Refuse to worship the image and die.

4.    These men honored the Almighty God and refused to worship the image. 

5.    The Bible tells us that “certain Chaldeans came near, and accused the Jews” (Dan. 3:8).

6.    When the names of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego were heard by the king, he went broke out into a rage and fury and called the three men into his presence (Dan. 3:13).

 

II.           THE COURAGE OF THE THREE HEBREWS

 

A.   Definition of courage:

1.    Literally:  “to have heart”

2.    To ability to move forward in the face of fear

3.    The quality of mind or spirit that enables one to face danger and pain.

 

B.   These three youths displayed courage in three realms.

1.    They disobeyed a king’s order (Dan. 3:12b)

 

…Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego; these men, O king, have not regarded thee:  they serve not thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up.

 

2.    They demonstrated resilience before the king (Dan. 3:18).

 

…be it known unto thee, O king, that we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou has set up.

 

3.    They declared faithfulness in the face of death (Dan. 3:17-18).

 

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.

 

III.         THE NEED FOR COURAGE TODAY

 

A.   We must have courage to stand against a secular society.

1.    Our society wants policy, laws, and practices completely divorced from God and morality, especially the morality proclaimed by the Bible.

a.    During the CV19 pandemic, we were told by the government that the only businesses allowed to be open were those who provided public benefit.  Liquor stores were allowed to be opened.  Churches were ordered to be closed.

b.    Abortion, LGBTQ+ issues, crime, violence, and drugs

2.    Verses that reveal we are different from this corrupt world.

a.    John 17:14

 

I have given them thy word; and the world hath hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.

b.    Romans 12:2

 

And be not conformed to this world:  but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect will of God.

 

c.    2 Corinthians 6:14-7:1

 

Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers:  for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness?  and what communion hath light with darkness?  and what agreement hath Christ with Belial?  or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel?  and what agreement hath the temple of God with idols?  for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.  Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, and will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.  Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.

 

B.   We must have courage to teach the gospel plan of salvation.

1.    The dominant position of the world regarding the process of salvation involves faith only.  Individuals are encouraged to express their “saving” faith in the form of the sinner’s prayer.

2.    We must have the courage to teach the gospel plan of salvation that is found in the Bible.

 

Steps                    Gospels                          Acts                                Epistles

 

Hear                      Mark 4:24                        Acts 2:22                         James 1:19

Believe                  John 8:24                        Acts 16:31                       Ephesians 2:8-9

Repent                  Luke 13:3                        Acts 17:30-31                  2 Peter 3:9

Confess                 Matt. 10:32                      Acts 8:37                         Romans 10:9-10

Be baptized            Mark 16:16                      Acts 2:38                         1 Peter 3:21

 

C.   We must have the courage to stand up for worship that is conducted in spirit and in truth.

1.    Worship is most places today appeals to the fleshly desires of man:  concert style music; positive, uplifting messages; and lighting, stage props, and dramatic performances; speaking in tongues and miracles.

2.    Jesus reveals the three spiritual components of worship in John 4:24.

 

God is a Spirit:  and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.

 

a.    The proper object:  God

b.    The proper attitude:  in spirit

c.    The proper standard:  in truth

3.    Scripture teaches us that there are five acts of worship.

a.    Prayer (1 Cor. 14:15)

b.    Singing (Eph. 5:19)

c.    Teaching (1 Cor. 14:3)

d.    The Lord’s Supper (Acts 20:7)

e.    Giving (1 Cor. 16:1-2)

 

 

 

 

CONCLUSION

 

A.   Courage is becoming a lost trait among many people.

The outward display of courage is found on less occasions than the trait.

When courage is displayed, individuals attribute it to something rude and mean.

 

B.   We need Christians, especially young people, who know how to overcome fear with courage.  To stand for the right and to stand against that which is wrong.

 

C.   Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego manifested true courage before a very angry king and in the threat of death.  We know the end of the story.  These three men along with a fourth became fireproof.

1.    Daniel 3:25

 

He answered and said, Lo, I see four men loose, walking the midst of the fire, and they have no hurt; and the form of the fourth is like the Son of God.

 

2.    Daniel 3:26b

 

…Then Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego, came forth of the midst of the fire.

 

a.    Upon whose bodies the fire had no power

b.    Nor was a hair of their head singed

c.    Neither were their coats changed

d.    Nor the smell of fire had passed on them

 

D.   Each of us needs to seek to develop the trait of courage for we live in an extremely evil world (Josh. 1:9).

 

Have not I commanded thee?  Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed:  for the Lord thy God is with thee withersoever thou goest.