26 - Bible Commentary | Karuna Sadan

and whoever does not fall down and worship shall be cast immediately into the midst of a burning fiery furnace.” (Daniel 3:6)

Nebuchadnezzar’s command was backed up by a powerful threat. Even today many politicians blend spiritual allegiance and national allegiance.

¹⁷If that is the case, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and He will deliver us from your hand, O king. ¹⁸But if not, let it be known to you, O king, that we do not serve your gods, nor will we worship the gold image which you have set up.” (Daniel 3:17-18)

They did not doubt God’s ability, but neither did they presume to know God’s will. In this they agreed with Job: Though He slay me, yet will I trust Him (Job 13:15). They recognized that God’s plan might be different than their desires.

“Look!” he answered, “I see four men loose, walking in the midst of the fire; and they are not hurt, and the form of the fourth is like the[e] Son of God.” (Daniel 3:25)

Nebuchadnezzar saw the fourth man and also told us who the fourth person was – the Son of God.

We are not sure if Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego knew that the Son of God was with them in their fiery trial. Sometimes we are aware of the presence of Jesus in our trials and sometimes we are not – but He is always there.

Chapter 3