Page 108 - Daniel

just the one at hand.
The three men, however, also faced the alternative that God might not

deliver them. The expression “But if not” should be understood as
referring to the deliverance, not to God’s ability. They took into
consideration the possibility that sometimes it is not in God’s purpose to
deliver His faithful ones from martyrdom. 33

The response of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego is the focal point
of the story. When tested, they chose to remain faithful to God in spite of
the consequences. Though they had confidence in God’s ability to rescue
them from persecution, they did not demand that God perform a miracle
for them. Like Job, they could declare, “Though he slay me, I will hope

in him” (Job 13:15).

SHADRACH, MESHACH, AND ABEDNEGO THROWN INTO THE

FURNACE (3:19–23)

3:19–23 Then Nebuchadnezzar was filled with fury, and the
expression of his face was changed against Shadrach, Meshach, and
Abednego. He ordered the furnace heated seven times more than it
was usually heated. And he ordered some of the mighty men of his
army to bind Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, and to cast them into
the burning fiery furnace. 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. Because the king’s order was
urgent and the furnace overheated, the flame of the fire killed those
men who took up Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. And these three
men, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, fell bound into the burning
fiery furnace.

Nebuchadnezzar took the Jews’ answer not only as proof of the
accusation made by the Chaldeans, but also as evidence of disloyalty to

him personally, which made him furious. His pride had been severely
punctured, so he gave the foolish order to overheat the furnace as if this
would increase the torment. Actually, a slower fire would have been far
more torture. Evidently, however, Nebuchadnezzar in his irrational
anger wanted the furnace to be as hot as his rage!