When Nebuchadnezzar received a God-ordained answer to his troubling dream (Daniel 2:17–19), he responded with promotions for Daniel and his three friends (Daniel 2:47–49). Those friends (Daniel 1:6–7) have survived the king's rage at defying his command to worship an idol (Daniel 3:16–18). This caused Nebuchadnezzar to commend their faith and give them additional honors (Daniel 3:28–29).

Scholars differ on what the exact reward was. He may have restored them to their prior positions of rank and authority or elevated them to even higher positions. He may have given them favor, leading to their continued success. The three men are not mentioned again in Scripture.

What happened to the three Hebrew men seemed terrible at first. Without doubt, what was done to them was irrational, evil, and horribly violent. Yet the Lord ensured the result was for their benefit. This turn of events echoes the experience of Joseph in the book of Genesis. After being betrayed by his brothers, he told them later, "As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today" (Genesis 50:20). Saved survivors of the tribulation, too, will become prominent and occupy prestigious positions in Messiah's kingdom. They will supervise the business of cities during Jesus' millennial reign (Matthew 24:45, 47; 25:21, 23; Revelation 20:4).

Daniel 3:26–30 records the aftermath of king Nebuchadnezzar's failed attempt to punish those who defied his command to worship an idol (Daniel 3:16–19). The three men were seen alive inside a furnace, along with a fourth person (Daniel 3:24–25). When the three emerge completely unaffected by the flames, the king shockingly acknowledges that their faith was well-placed and that they were right to defy his order. He commands the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego be protected from all criticism and promotes the three Hebrews once again (Daniel 2:48–49).

Nebuchadnezzar builds a golden idol, possibly inspired by the explanation of his own dream (Daniel 2:36–38). He commands all people to worship it, at a given musical signal, on pain of death. Three Hebrew men openly defy this command and are thrown into a superheated furnace. To his shock, the king sees a supernatural figure with the still-living Israelites. Not only do they survive, but their clothes aren't singed nor even smelling like smoke. The king praises their faith, and their God, commanding that no one speak ill of the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego.

The first chapter of Daniel explained how four captive Israelite boys became respected advisors to a Babylonian king. Chapter 2 showed these men praying for divine wisdom to untangle that same king's dream. These events set the stage for this chapter and the famous trio of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. The men refuse to bow to an idol and are rescued from fiery death by God. This is the last mention of these men in Scripture, as focus shifts back to Babylon's kings and the prophet Daniel.

The book of Daniel contains famous Old Testament stories and prophecies. Daniel was taken from the Israelite people and made an advisor for a conquering empire. He demonstrates faithfulness and wisdom during many years serving in this role. Though Daniel does not deliver a public message, Jesus refers to him as a "prophet" (Matthew 24:15). The first portion of the book mostly describes Daniel's interpretations of dreams and other events. The second portion looks ahead to the end times. Daniel is classified in English Bibles as a "major" prophet, meaning the book is relatively long and the content has broad implications. The book of Revelation echoes and expands on many of the same themes.

Accessed 11/23/2024 5:12:06 PM

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