In the same year that Daniel and his companions entered the service
of the king of Babylon events occurred that severely tested the integrity
of these youthful Hebrews and proved before an idolatrous nation the power
and faithfulness of the God of Israel.
While King Nebuchadnezzar was looking forward with anxious forebodings
to the future, he had a remarkable dream, by which he was greatly troubled,
"and his sleep brake from him" (Dan. 2:1). But although this vision of
the night made a deep impression on his mind, he found it impossible to
recall the particulars. He applied to his astrologers and magicians, and
with promises of great wealth and honor commanded them to tell him his
dream and its interpretation. But they said, "Tell thy servants the dream,
and we will shew the interpretation" (verse 4).
The king knew that if they could really tell the interpretation, they
could tell the dream as well. The Lord had in His providence given Nebuchadnezzar
this dream, and had caused the particulars to be forgotten, while the fearful
impression was left upon his mind, in order to expose the pretensions of
the wise men of Babylon. The monarch was very angry, and threatened that
they should all be slain if, in a given time, the dream was not made known.
Daniel and his companions were to perish with the false prophets; but,
taking his life in his hand, Daniel ventures to enter the presence of the
king, begging that time may be granted that he may show the dream and the
interpretation.
To this request the monarch accedes; and now Daniel gathers his three
companions, and together they take the matter before God, seeking for wisdom
from the Source of light and knowledge. Although they were in the king's
court, surrounded with temptation, they did not forget their responsibility
to God. They were strong in the consciousness that His providence had placed
them where they were; that they were doing His work, meeting the demands
of truth and duty. They had confidence toward God. They had turned to Him
for strength when in perplexity and danger, and He had been to them an
ever-present help.
THE SECRET REVEALED
The servants of God did not plead with Him in vain. They had honored
Him, and in the hour of trial He honored them. The secret was revealed
to Daniel, and he hastened to request an interview with the king.
The Jewish captive stands before the monarch of the most powerful empire
the sun has ever shone upon. The king is in great distress amid all his
riches and glory, but the youthful exile is peaceful and happy in his God.
Now, if ever, is the time for Daniel to exalt himself, to make prominent
his own goodness and superior wisdom. But his first effort is to disclaim
all honor for himself and to exalt God as the source of wisdom:
"The secret which the king hath demanded cannot the wise men, the astrologers,
the magicians, the soothsayers, shew unto the king; but there is a God
in heaven that revealeth secrets, and maketh known to the king Nebuchadnezzar
what shall be in the latter days" (Dan. 2:27, 28). The king listens with
solemn attention as every particular of the dream is reproduced; and when
the interpretation is faithfully given, he feels that he can rely upon
it as a divine revelation.
The solemn truths conveyed in this vision of the night made a deep impression
on the sovereign's mind, and in humility and awe he fell down and worshiped,
saying, "Of a truth it is, that your God is a God of gods, and a Lord of
kings, and a revealer of secrets" (verse 47).
THE GOLDEN IMAGE
Light direct from Heaven had been permitted to shine upon King Nebuchadnezzar,
and for a little time he was influenced by the fear of God. But a few years
of prosperity filled his heart with pride, and he forgot his acknowledgment
of the living God. He resumed his idol worship with increased zeal and
bigotry.
From the treasures obtained in war he made a golden image to represent
the one that he had seen in his dream, setting it up in the plain of Dura,
and commanding all the rulers and the people to worship it, on pain of
death. This statue was about ninety feet in height and nine in breadth,
and in the eyes of that idolatrous people it presented a most imposing
and majestic appearance. A proclamation was issued calling upon all the
officers of the kingdom to assemble at the dedication of the image, and
at the sound of the musical instruments, to bow down and worship it. Should
any fail to do this, they were immediately to be cast into the midst of
a burning fiery furnace.
The appointed day has come, and the vast company is assembled, when
word is brought to the king that the three Hebrews whom he has set over
the province of Babylon have refused to worship the image. These are Daniel's
three companions, who had been called by the king, Shadrach, Meshach, and
Abednego. Full of rage, the monarch calls them before him, and pointing
to the angry furnace, tells them the punishment that will be theirs if
they refuse obedience to his will.
In vain were the king's threats. He could not turn these noble men from
their allegiance to the great Ruler of nations. They had learned from the
history of their fathers that disobedience to God is dishonor, disaster,
and ruin; that the fear of the Lord is not only the beginning of wisdom
but the foundation of all true prosperity. They look with calmness upon
the fiery furnace and the idolatrous throng. They have trusted in God,
and He will not fail them now. Their answer is respectful, but decided:
"Be it known unto thee, O king, that we will not serve thy gods, nor worship
the golden image which thou hast set up" (Dan. 3:18).
The proud monarch is surrounded by his great men, the officers of the
government, and the army that has conquered nations; and all unite in applauding
him as having the wisdom and power of the gods. In the midst of this imposing
display stand the three youthful Hebrews, steadily persisting in their
refusal to obey the king's decree. They had been obedient to the laws of
Babylon so far as these did not conflict with the claims of God, but they
would not be swayed a hair's breadth from the duty they owed to their Creator.
The king's wrath knew no limits. In the very height of his power and
glory, to be thus defied by the representatives of a despised and captive
race was an insult which his proud spirit could not endure. The fiery furnace
had been heated seven times more than it was wont, and into it were cast
the Hebrew exiles. So furious were the flames, that the men who cast them
in were burned to death.
IN THE PRESENCE OF THE INFINITE
Suddenly the countenance of the king paled with terror. His eyes were
fixed upon the glowing flames, and turning to his lords, he said, "Did
not we cast three men bound into the midst of the fire?" (verse 24). The
answer was, "True, O king." And now the monarch exclaimed, "Lo, I see four
men loose, walking in the midst of the fire, and they have no hurt; and
the form of the fourth is like the Son of God" (verse 25).
When Christ manifests Himself to the children of men, an unseen power
speaks to their souls. They feel
themselves to be in the presence of the
Infinite One. Before His majesty, kings and nobles tremble, and acknowledge
that the living God is above every earthly power.
With feelings of remorse and shame, the king exclaimed, "Ye servants
of the most high God, come forth" (verse 26). And they obeyed, showing
themselves unhurt before that vast multitude, not even the smell of fire
being upon their garments. This miracle produced a striking change in the
minds of the people. The great golden image, set up with such display,
was forgotten. The king published a decree that any one speaking against
the God of these men should be put to death, "because there is no other
God that can deliver after this sort" (verse 29).
STEADFAST INTEGRITY AND THE SANCTIFIED LIFE
These three Hebrews possessed genuine sanctification. True Christian
principle will not stop to weigh consequences. It does not ask, What will
people think of me if I do this? or, How will it affect my worldly prospects
if I do that? With the most intense longing the children of God desire
to know what He would have them do, that their works may glorify Him. The
Lord has made ample provision that the hearts and lives of all His followers
may be controlled by divine grace, that they may be as burning and shining
lights in the world.
These faithful Hebrews possessed great natural ability, they had enjoyed
the highest intellectual culture, and now occupied a position of honor;
but all this did not lead them to forget God. Their powers were yielded
to the sanctifying influence of divine grace. By their steadfast integrity
they showed forth the praises of Him who had called them out of darkness
into His marvelous light. In their wonderful deliverance were displayed,
before that vast assembly, the power and majesty of God. Jesus placed Himself
by their side in the fiery furnace, and by the glory of His presence convinced
the proud king of Babylon that it could be no other than the Son of God.
The light of Heaven had been shining forth from Daniel and his companions,
until all their associates understood the faith which ennobled their lives
and beautified their characters. By the deliverance of His faithful servants,
the Lord declares that He will take His stand with the oppressed and overthrow
all earthly powers that would trample upon the authority of the God of
heaven.
A LESSON TO THE FAINTHEARTED
What a lesson is here given to the fainthearted, the vacillating, the
cowardly in the cause of God! What encouragement to those who will not
be turned aside from duty by threats or peril! These faithful, steadfast
characters exemplify sanctification, while they have no thought of claiming
the high honor. The amount of good which may be accomplished by comparatively
obscure but devoted Christians cannot be estimated until the life records
shall be made known, when the judgment shall sit and the books be opened.
Christ identifies His interest with this class; He is not ashamed to
call them brethren. There should be hundreds where there is now one among
us, so closely allied to God, their lives in such close conformity to His
will, that they would be bright and shining lights, sanctified wholly,
in soul, body, and spirit.
The conflict still goes on between the children of light and the children
of darkness. Those who name the name of Christ should shake off the lethargy
that enfeebles their efforts, and should meet the momentous responsibilities
that devolve upon them. All who do this may expect the power of God to
be revealed in them. The Son of God, the world's Redeemer, will be represented
in their words and in their works, and God's name will be glorified.
As in the days of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, so in the closing period of earth's history the Lord will work mightily in behalf of those who stand steadfastly for the right. He who walked with the Hebrew worthies in the fiery furnace will be with His followers wherever they are. His abiding presence will comfort and sustain. In the midst of the time of trouble--trouble such as has not been since there was a nation--His chosen ones will stand unmoved. Satan with all the hosts of evil cannot destroy the weakest of God's saints. Angels that excel in strength will protect them, and in their behalf Jehovah will reveal Himself as a "God of gods," able to save to the uttermost those who have put their trust in Him.-- Prophets and Kings, p. 513.Chapter 11
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