The God Who Deserves Our Allegiance

13 Pages·2016·0.59 MB·English

SESSION 2
The God Who
Deserves Our Allegiance
Summary and Goal
God alone is worthy of our allegiance, devotion, and worship. In the midst of opposition, persecution,
and threats to our lives, God will sustain us as we trust the One who is able to deliver. Three men
during the time of exile refused to participate in the idolatry of their day. Trusting that God was
sovereign and good, they were confident in His protection. One of the ways we display the glory of
God today is by obeying Christ even when it is difficult and no matter the consequences.
Main Passage
Daniel 3:8-30
Session Outline
1. G od’s people bow down to God alone (Dan. 3:8-12).
2. G od’s people trust that God is sovereign and good (Dan. 3:13-23).
3. G od’s people trust in God for protection (Dan. 3:24-30).
Theological Theme
God alone deserves our ultimate allegiance.
Christ Connection
The same God who was faithful and present with Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in the flames
will also deliver us through His Son, who is with us in the fiery trial and who saves us from the
punishment for our sin.
Missional Application
God calls us to embrace a countercultural lifestyle with full confidence in God’s power, regardless of
what the immediate outcome may be.
Date of My Bible Study: ______________________ 19
© 2016 LifeWay Christian Resources. Permission granted to reproduce and distribute within the license agreement with purchaser.
Session Plan
The God Who
Deserves Our Allegiance
Session 2
Introduction
Introduction Option
Comment on the sacrificial mind-set of Nate Saint, a martyred missionary
Show the clip from the (leader p. 22; personal study guide [PSG] p. 19), and connect this to the
film Barabbas to present
example of the three Hebrew men in this session (leader p. 22).
the type of conviction it
takes to remain faithful
to Christ in the face of Why should followers of Jesus be willing to give their lives
imminent execution.
for the sake of the gospel?
www.wingclips.com/
movie-clips/barabbas/
What does this willingness communicate to others?
guilty-as-charged
Summarize this session on giving allegiance to God regardless of the
consequences (leader p. 22; PSG p. 20).
Point 1 Option
1. G od’s people bow down to God alone
Enlist a volunteer prior
to the group meeting to (Dan. 3:8-12).
summarize for the group
the events in Daniel 2, Set the context for this story, that Nebuchadnezzar once praised Daniel’s God
concluding with the king’s
but later raised a large statue for his government officials to worship. Then ask
pronouncement of praise
for God highlighted on a volunteer to read Daniel 3:8-12 for how the Jewish exiles responded. Note
Pack Item 5: Kings of
what we should learn of the consequences for obeying God rather than men
the Exile.
(leader p. 23; PSG p. 20).
In what areas of life are Christians most likely to be
criticized for obeying God rather than men?
For Further
Discussion
Show how the Jewish men reserved their ultimate allegiance for God alone, and
Is God harsh for requiring
this led to a seemingly no-win situation for them (leader p. 24; PSG p. 21).
the allegiance of His people
to the point of death?
Why or why not?
How does our decision to worship God and God alone
How would our willingness impact our mission?
to die for our faith in
Christ express God’s
incomparable worthiness? 2. God’s people trust that God is sovereign and
good (Dan. 3:13-23).
Read Daniel 3:13-23. Show how Nebuchadnezzar’s question is key to
understanding this episode and how it demonstrated his pride. On this point,
we should be confronted with our own pride and choose, instead, to trust in
God alone (leader pp. 25-26; PSG p. 22).
20 Leader Guide
What are some ways humans assert their own sovereignty
and righteousness instead of trusting in the sovereignty and Point 2 Option
goodness of God?
Read the “Essential
Christian Doctrine” Church
Explain Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego’s response to Nebuchadnezzar’s and Kingdom (leader p. 26;
PSG p. 23), and ask
question as a great affirmation of faith in God, regardless of the consequences groups of 3-4 to discuss
(leader p. 26; PSG p. 23). Call attention to Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego’s the following questions
(consider writing them
portion of Pack Item 6: No Matter the Cost to help group members see the first
on a board or sheet of
of numerous examples of death-defying faith in this study of the exile and return. paper for groups to have;
also available on the DVD
in The Gospel Project for
What is the significance of these Jewish men’s confession Adults: Leader Pack):
of faith when they claimed they would follow God even if
• What reminders did
He chose not to deliver them? Shadrach, Meshach, and
Abednego have that they
were not living in the
How is their confession a demonstration of trust in God’s
kingdom of God?
sovereignty and goodness?
• W hat things constantly
remind us that while part
3. God’s people trust in God for protection of Christ’s church, we
are still awaiting God’s
(Dan. 3:24-30).
coming kingdom?
Read Daniel 3:24-30. Point out that the fourth person in the fire was the • H ow can we use
these reminders and
presence of the Lord with His faithful followers. The God who did not deliver
circumstances for the
them from the fire was the God who met them in the fire and delivered them sake of the gospel?
out of the fire (leader pp. 27-28; PSG pp. 24-25). After a couple of moments,
reconvene and call for
some responses.
When has God chosen not to deliver you from a trial but to
meet you in the midst of the trial?
What is the impact of sensing God’s presence when you
face opposition?
Communicate the praise toward God that resulted from the Jewish men’s
faithfulness and God’s power on their behalf (leader p. 28; PSG p. 25). This is
Christ Connection: The
a pronouncement of Nebuchadnezzar listed on Pack Item 5: Kings of the Exile. same God who was faithful
and present with Shadrach,
Meshach, and Abednego in
How would this account have encouraged the faith of the
the flames will also deliver
Jewish people during the time of exile? us through His Son, who
is with us in the fiery trial
and who saves us from the
Conclusion
punishment for our sin.
Recall the presence of Immanuel, “God with us,” in the furnace with ........................................................
Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. Make this connection by referencing Missional Application:
Pack Item 4: Seeing Jesus in the Exile and Return. This One endured the God calls us to embrace
a countercultural lifestyle
fire of God’s wrath on the cross so we wouldn’t have to; therefore, we can
with full confidence in
represent Him with courage in any and all of our circumstances (leader p. 29; God’s power, regardless
of what the immediate
PSG p. 26). Apply the truths of this session with “His Mission, Your Mission”
outcome may be.
(PSG p. 27).
Session 2 21
Expanded Session Content
The God Who
Deserves Our Allegiance
Session 2
Introduction
Voices from The apostle Paul wrote, “For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain”
Church History (Phil. 1:21). In other words, “If I live, I get Christ. If I die, I get more of
“When through fiery trials Christ! Either way, I win!”
thy pathway shall lie, Nate Saint (1923-1956), a martyred missionary among the
My grace, all sufficient,
shall be thy supply; The missionaries to the Huaorani people group, the Auca Indians, saw his life
flame shall not hurt thee; this way. He wrote: “The way I see it, we ought to be willing to die. In the
I only design Thy dross to
consume, and thy gold military, we were taught that to obtain our objectives we had to be willing
to refine.” 2 to be expendable. Missionaries must face that same expendability.” 1 Not
–From the hymn just missionaries, but every follower of the crucified Jesus should have that
“How Firm a Foundation”
sense of expendability.
This way of looking at life and death—of realizing that life and death
are in God’s hands—must have been familiar to the three Hebrew men
we encountered in the previous session: Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah.
Taken captive to Babylon in 605 b.c., their names were changed to
Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. In today’s session, we see these men
display not only “courage under fire” but also “courage in the fire!”
Why should followers of Jesus be willing to give their lives
for the sake of the gospel?
What does this willingness communicate to others?
Session Summary
God alone is worthy of our allegiance, devotion, and worship. In
the midst of opposition, persecution, and threats to our lives, God will
sustain us as we trust the One who is able to deliver. In this session, we
see three men during the time of exile who refused to participate in the
idolatry of their day. Trusting that God was sovereign and good, they
were confident in His protection. One of the ways we display the glory
of God today is by obeying Christ even when it is difficult and no matter
the consequences.
22 Leader Guide
1. God’s people bow down to God alone
(Dan. 3:8-12). Further
Commentary
King Nebuchadnezzar once paid homage and praise to Daniel’s God
(2:46), but his devotion was shallow and did not last long. In chapter 3, That the pressure on these
now-young Hebrew men
we find him setting up a great statue 60 cubits in height and 6 cubits in
would have been enormous
breadth (90-by-9 feet), gold-plated from head to toe (3:1). Perhaps it looked cannot be overstated. Note
the following details:
like a missile on a launching pad or something like the Washington
1. T he statue was “set
Monument. In verses 2-6, the expectation is laid out that the government
up” in a unique location
officials of Babylon were to attend the statue’s dedication and to worship it! on the plain of Dura
near the city of Babylon
The biblical writer went to great lengths to note the idolatrous nature
(Dan. 3:1). The plain near
of this statue of gold. The word “image” occurs more than 10 times in Babylon recalls the story
of the tower of Babel
chapter 3, and as you know, God’s people were forbidden to worship graven
and its demonstration
images of any sort. (We do not know if this was an image to a particular of humanity’s pride
(Gen. 11:1-9).
god, such as Marduk or Nebo, or an image to Nebuchadnezzar himself.)
2. T he “Who’s Who,” the
Although we may not be confronted with idolatry in the same way as
“movers and shakers” of
these Hebrew men, we should expect to confront idols in our day—idols Nebuchadnezzar’s vast
empire, were invited to
that demand our time, money, and allegiance. We may not live in the
the dedication service
ancient city of Babylon, but we are exiles (or temporary residents) in this (Dan. 3:2).
world (1 Pet. 1:1; 2:11). So what should we do when the culture presses in 3. N ebuchadnezzar set a
precise moment when
on us and calls us to compromise by celebrating the idolatry of the day?
national and religious
Let’s take a look at how the Jewish exiles responded to the king’s decree. allegiance to him
would be put on public
display with everyone
8 Therefore at that time certain Chaldeans came forward and participating (v. 3). This
maliciously accused the Jews. 9 They declared to King Nebuchadnezzar, was a service of national,
political and religious
“O king, live forever! 10 You, O king, have made a decree, that every man unification.
who hears the sound of the horn, pipe, lyre, trigon, harp, bagpipe, and 4. G reat and emotional
every kind of music, shall fall down and worship the golden image. 11 And music was to accompany
the moment of
whoever does not fall down and worship shall be cast into a burning fiery dedication, adding a
furnace. 12 There are certain Jews whom you have appointed over the powerful emotional and
psychological element to
affairs of the province of Babylon: Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. the service (v. 5).
These men, O king, pay no attention to you; they do not serve your gods or 5. A precise moment is
worship the golden image that you have set up.” specified for the time
of submission and
worship (v. 5).
Honoring and obeying God is not always popular. Sometimes
6. T here is a “death
allegiance to God leads to serious problems and life-threatening situations. warning” to anyone who
refuses to “fall down and
While the latter may not often be the experience of Christians in the West,
worship” (v. 6).
it is a daily reality for many of our brothers and sisters around the world.
7. W hen the moment of
Simply trying to live a life that is faithful to the God and Savior they love, commitment came, it
appeared that everyone
these believers are criticized, ostracized, and hated. Still, with the apostle
present pledged
Peter, they declare by words and actions, “We must obey God rather than their allegiance to
Nebuchadnezzar and his
men” (Acts 5:29).
idolatrous image (v. 7).
In what areas of life are Christians most likely to be
criticized for obeying God rather than men?
Session 2 23
When the time came to bow down and worship the gold statue, three
Voices from men remained standing—no fanfare or outburst of protest, just a quiet act
Church History of civil disobedience. Quickly, the enemies of Shadrach, Meshach, and
Abednego sprung into action to maliciously accuse them.
“Do you see how difficult
these struggles are made; The enemies’ tactics were strategic. They buttered up the king with a
how irresistible the snare;
common but reverential word of praise, “O king, live forever!” (v. 9). But
and how deep the [gulf],
and a precipice on either then they gave him a subtle and backhanded word of criticism that would
hand? But be not afraid.
appeal to his pride: “You gave the command to everyone to bow and
In whatever degree the
enemy increases his worship your idol. You warned everyone that failure to do so would result
machinations, so much
in immediate execution. Certain Jews whom you have appointed over the
the more does he display
the courage of the affairs of the province of Babylon have failed to do so” (see vv. 10-12).
young men.” 3
Continuing their accusation, first, the enemies said, “These men…
–John Chrysostom
pay no attention to you.” (They don’t respect you.) Second, “They do not
(circa 347-407)
serve your gods.” (On this one, the enemies were correct!) Third, “They do
not…worship the golden image that you have set up.” (Right again!)
The enemies accused the Jewish men of failing to give ultimate
Voices from allegiance to Nebuchadnezzar. The reason Shadrach, Meshach, and
the Church Abednego would not bow down was because they knew ultimate
“Enjoying favor in allegiance belonged to God alone.
Babylon—in this world—is
Interestingly, the idea of the king setting up his idol appears seven
rare and short-lived. It is
not something to rely on or times in this passage. This stands in striking contrast to Daniel 2:21 where
become too used to.” 4
Daniel told Nebuchadnezzar, “[God] changes times and seasons; he
–David Helm
removes kings and sets up kings.” Nebuchadnezzar was playing a role
reserved solely for God! And in the process, he was “setting up” a
showdown that he was going to lose.
So now, it looks like Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were in a
no-win situation. The critics came out in the open, they carefully called
out the king, and now he must do something to save face. The future does
not look bright for these Jewish men, these devoted disciples of “the God
of heaven” (2:18,28,37,44). God gave them great favor and wisdom in
Daniel 1. The question is “What will God do now?”
How does our decision to worship God and God alone
impact our mission?
2. God’s people trust that God is sovereign and
good (Dan. 3:13-23).
As we saw in the previous section, Nebuchadnezzar set up an image
made of gold to glorify himself and unify his kingdom. Everything was
moving along nicely until these three Jews refused to go along to get along
(v. 8). Watch what takes place next:
24 Leader Guide
13 Then Nebuchadnezzar in furious rage commanded that Shadrach,
Meshach, and Abednego be brought. So they brought these men before the Further
king. 14 Nebuchadnezzar answered and said to them, “Is it true, O Shadrach, Commentary
Meshach, and Abednego, that you do not serve my gods or worship the golden
“There was no doubt in
image that I have set up? 15 Now if you are ready when you hear the sound of the three men’s mind as to
God’s power to save them
the horn, pipe, lyre, trigon, harp, bagpipe, and every kind of music, to fall
(see 2:20-23). Yet the way
down and worship the image that I have made, well and good. But if you do in which God would work
out his plan for them in this
not worship, you shall immediately be cast into a burning fiery furnace. And
situation was less clear.
who is the god who will deliver you out of my hands?” God’s power is sometimes
extended in dramatic ways
16 Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego answered and said to the king,
to deliver his people, as
“O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer you in this matter. 17 If when he parted the Red
Sea for Israel on the way
this be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning
out of Egypt (Exodus 14);
fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of your hand, O king. 18 But at other times, that same
power is withheld, and
if not, be it known to you, O king, that we will not serve your gods or
his people are allowed
worship the golden image that you have set up.” to suffer. Either way, they
would not bow down to
19 Then Nebuchadnezzar was filled with fury, and the expression of his
Nebuchadnezzar’s image.” 5
face was changed against Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. He ordered
–Iain M. Duguid
the furnace heated seven times more than it was usually heated. 20 And he and Paul D. Wegner,
ESV Study Bible
ordered some of the mighty men of his army to bind Shadrach, Meshach,
and Abednego, and to cast them into the burning fiery furnace. 21 Then
these men were bound in their cloaks, their tunics, their hats, and their
other garments, and they were thrown into the burning fiery furnace.
Voices from
22 Because the king’s order was urgent and the furnace overheated, the Church History
flame of the fire killed those men who took up Shadrach, Meshach, and
“Somehow idolatry has
Abednego. 23 And these three men, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, fell been the curse of the world
from the beginning. There’s
bound into the burning fiery furnace.
no age and no generation
that does not know its
graven images.” 6
Nebuchadnezzar was “in furious rage.” The three Jews had resisted the
–W. A. Criswell (1909-2002)
herd mentality and bravely stood alone (apparently Daniel was not
present). The king commanded they be brought before him (v. 13). He
asked if these accusations were true, that they would not serve his gods or
“worship” (11 times—vv. 5,6,7,10,11,12,14,15,18,28) the golden statue he
had set up (v. 14).
Before allowing them to answer, the king gave them a second chance.
Maybe he suspected that some jealous rivals accused them. Perhaps he
genuinely liked them and was looking to provide a way out of this political
mess. If they would simply repent of disobeying the king and bow down
and worship his idol, all would be “well and good” (v. 15). But if they did
not, they would be executed immediately by being burned alive in the
fiery furnace.
Then Nebuchadnezzar asked the question that is the key to the entire
episode: “And who is the god who will deliver you out of my hands?”
(v. 15). In other words: “If you are so foolish as to ignore my gracious offer,
who is going to save you?”
Session 2 25
It’s hard for us to identify with Nebuchadnezzar at this point, but
Voices from maybe we should. Do we not sometimes exalt ourselves? Do we not often
the Church act as if matters of destiny are in our hands and not God’s? Do we not
draw attention to who we are, whom we know, and what we have done? Is
“Biblical faith calls for
each of us to acknowledge not the same pride in the heart of this king lurking in our own?
God’s provision as
It’s easy to identify with the steadfast Jewish believers, but first, we
sufficient, loving, and good
even if it falls short of, or should ask, “Who is the God who will deliver me from my sin, my pride,
contradicts, immediate
my arrogance?” The three Jews knew the answer to the king’s question.
desires that cannot fully
anticipate his plans or They chose not to trust in themselves or the powers of this world, even if it
fathom his wisdom.” 7
cost them everything (vv. 17-18).
–Bryan Chapell
What are some ways humans assert their own sovereignty
and righteousness instead of trusting in the sovereignty and
goodness of God?
99
Essential
Christian Doctrines
Nebuchadnezzar’s question is indeed the question of the ages. “Who is
84. Church and Kingdom
the God who will deliver?” The three Jews were glad he asked. The answer
The church and the
to that question had been settled in their hearts long ago. If challenged to
kingdom of God are
closely related, though not worship the gods of this world and be praised or worship the one true and
identical. When the Bible
living God and be burned to a crisp, they would follow God. As Joshua
speaks of the kingdom
of God, it is referring to said, so would they, “But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord”
the reign of God in the
(Josh. 24:15).
world. The church is the
people of God who live God’s people must be courageous in the face of danger. And sometimes
under His loving rule now,
that danger takes place in our mission of proclaiming the name and fame
in anticipation of the full
manifestation of God’s of God among the nations of the earth. Note the references to the crowd in
kingdom in the future.
Daniel 3:2,3,7. All the nations would hear what these men were about to say!
The church’s mission is to
witness to God’s kingdom, Note also the confession of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in
proclaiming God’s
verses 16-18 before the most powerful political and governmental officials
message of salvation
through Christ and on the earth in that day. These men had embraced a countercultural lifestyle
demonstrating the power
with full and complete confidence in God’s power and God’s purposes.
of the gospel through good
works so that others may Regardless of the potential immediate outcome, three things were
be brought to live under
clear: 1) God’s servants bow down only to Him and no one else; 2) God’s
God’s reign.
servants trust in God’s sovereign purposes no matter what; and 3) God’s
servants trust in God’s power and protection and leave what happens to
His providential plan.
Voices from Next comes one of the greatest affirmations of faith in God in all
Church History
of the Bible—“But if [God does not deliver us], be it known to you, O
“Faith knows there are no king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the golden image you
impossibilities with God,
have set up” (v. 18). Wow! What faith in God they had! What faith they
and will trust him where it
cannot trace him.” 8 demonstrated before the nations! This is a missionary declaration to the
–Thomas Watson nations of absolute trust in the one true God. Deliverance and rescue were
not the issue but confession and obedience, even if it cost them their lives.
26 Leader Guide
What is the significance of these Jewish men’s confession
of faith when they claimed they would follow God even if
He chose not to deliver them?
How is their confession a demonstration of trust in God’s
sovereignty and goodness?
3. God’s people trust in God for protection
(Dan. 3:24-30). Further
Commentary
24 Then King Nebuchadnezzar was astonished and rose up in haste. He
declared to his counselors, “Did we not cast three men bound into the fire?” “It is not difficult to know
who that fourth person
They answered and said to the king, “True, O king.” 25 He answered and
was. He was Jesus Christ
said, “But I see four men unbound, walking in the midst of the fire, and in a preincarnate form—
perhaps the form he
they are not hurt; and the appearance of the fourth is like a son of the gods.”
had when he appeared
26 Then Nebuchadnezzar to Abraham before the
destruction of Sodom and
came near to the door of the
Gomorrah or in which he
burning fiery furnace; he wrestled with Jacob beside
the brook Jabbok. It is a
declared, “Shadrach, Meshach,
vivid portrayal of the fact
and Abednego, servants of the that God stands with his
people in their troubles.” 9
Most High God, come out, and
–James Montgomery Boice
come here!” Then Shadrach,
Meshach, and Abednego
came out from the fire. 27 And
the satraps, the prefects, the
governors, and the king’s
counselors gathered together
and saw that the fire had not
had any power over the bodies of those men. The hair of their heads was
not singed, their cloaks were not harmed, and no smell of fire had come
upon them. 28 Nebuchadnezzar answered and said, “Blessed be the God of
Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, who has sent his angel and delivered
his servants, who trusted in him, and set aside the king’s command, and
yielded up their bodies rather than serve and worship any god except
their own God. 29 Therefore I make a decree: Any people, nation, or
language that speaks anything against the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and
Abednego shall be torn limb from limb, and their houses laid in ruins, for
there is no other god who is able to rescue in this way.” 30 Then the king
promoted Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in the province of Babylon.
Session 2 27
So the three Hebrews were bound and “thrown into the burning fiery
Further furnace” fully clothed (v. 21). No doubt this would add fuel for the fire.
Commentary The furnace was now so hot that the “mighty men of the army” were
immediately consumed and killed (vv. 20-22). As they perished, their last
The furnace was built on
a small hill or mound with act of submission and obedience to the megalomaniacal king was to push
openings at the top and
Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego “bound into the burning fiery
side. 10 So, the three men
fell into the furnace from furnace” (v. 23). Nebuchadnezzar and his loyal, pagan, idolatrous subjects
the top, and the king was
could now sit back and watch what would certainly be a brief human
able to see four men in the
furnace (v. 25) as he looked barbecue, an object lesson for all who pledge their allegiance to a God no
in through the side opening.
one can see rather than the gods of this world who surely wield true power.
The king saw in the furnace
a fourth figure who looked But then something unexpected happened. The king himself was
like a son of the gods. This
“astonished and rose up in haste” (v. 24). The men did not die. In fact,
may have been an angel
or even a pre-incarnate they were no longer bound but were walking around as if being in
appearance of God the
the burning fiery furnace did not harm them. And more importantly,
Son. When Shadrach,
Meshach, and Abednego there were four men walking around in the furnace, and the fourth
came out of the furnace,
had the appearance “like a son of the gods” (v. 25). Later in verse 28,
Nebuchadnezzar and all his
government officials saw Nebuchadnezzar called the fourth person an angel.
that the fire had no effect
Theologians have long debated the identity of the fourth individual.
on the bodies of these men.
Not only did the fire fail to Some believe this was a theophany, a manifestation of God’s presence.
burn their hair and clothing,
Others call this a Christophany, a pre-incarnate appearance of the Second
but they did not even have
the smell of fire on them. Person of the Trinity, the Son of God. Regardless, the Lord was there with
Hebrews 11:34 cites this
them. The God who did not deliver them from the fire was the God who
miracle of faith, referring
to those who “quenched met them in the fire and delivered them out of the fire!
the power of fire.” After
Shadrach, Meshach, and
Abednego were spared, When has God chosen not to deliver you from a trial but to
Nebuchadnezzar saw meet you in the midst of the trial?
that the God of Israel was
greater than all other gods.
Even so, he remained a What is the impact of sensing God’s presence when you
worshiper of many gods, face opposition?
falling short of full devotion
of the one and only
true God. Nebuchadnezzar invited the three Jewish men out of the furnace for
all to see “that the fire had not had any power over [their] bodies,” in fact,
“the hair of their heads was not singed, their cloaks were not harmed, and
no smell of fire had come upon them” (v. 27). He rightly attributed this
to “the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego” (v. 28), the God he
called “the Most High God” (v. 26), the One he earlier called “God of
gods and Lord of kings” (2:47).
It is this God who “quenched the power of fire” (Heb. 11:34). It is
this God who delivered those who “trusted in him,” who “yielded up
their bodies, rather than serve and worship any god except their God”
(Dan. 3:28; cf. Rom. 12:1-2). In the process of events, the king promoted
the three Hebrews in their positions in His kingdom (Dan. 3:30).
28 Leader Guide