Children Bible Overview 84 30/11/08

DANIEL’S THREE FRIENDS REFUSED TO BOW DOWN TO THE

IMAGE OF GOLD MADE BY KING NEBUCHADNEZAAR

Teachers to read bible scripture: <Da 3:1-30>

Children to memorize bible scripture: <Da 3:17:18>

Recap
Last week, we saw how Daniel interpreted the King’s dream and the King made him the Premier who
managed all the provinces of Babylon and also all the wise men. Under the recommendation of
Daniel, his three friends also gained the praise of the King and were made to handle the
administration of Babylon.

Introduction
Today, we are going to talk about the story of Daniel’s three friends, Shadrach, Meshach and
Abednego. One day, when they were being sent to manage the administration of the provinces of
Babylon, King Nebuchadnezzar made an image of gold. The King summoned all the governors and
told them, “This is what you are commanded to do, to tell all your people, nations and men of every
language, young or old, that when they hear the sound of the horn, flute and all kinds of music, they
must fall down and worship the image of gold. Otherwise, they would be thrown into a blazing
furnace. At this time, there were some Babylonians who came to the King to denounce the Jews,
saying, “There are some Jews whom you have set over the affairs of the province of Babylon –
Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego who pay no attention to your instruction and did not worship the
image of gold that you have set up.” When the King heard that, he was furious with rage and
summoned them to him, saying, “Did you all go against me intentionally? I will give you one more
chance now that you immediately fall down and worship the image I made when you hear the sounds
of the horn, flute, I will spare you. Otherwise, I will throw you immediately into a blazing furnace. The
three friends immediate response to the King was, “O King, you do not need to go through the
trouble. We will definitely not bow down and worship the image you created. If we are thrown into the
blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to save us from it. But even if He does not, we will not
serve or worship your image of gold.” When the King heard that, he was furious and ordered the
furnace to be heated seven times hotter than usual and thereafter he commanded his soldiers to
throw the three of them into the furnace. Because the fire was blazing and strong, the soldiers who
threw them in were burned to death. After that, the King leaped to his feet hurriedly, saying, “Weren’t
there three men that we tied up and threw into the fire? Why do I see a fourth person in the fire
walking around? And the fourth person looks like a son of the gods.” (Actually it was God who came
personally to save them.) The King then shouted to the three men and asked them to come out from
the furnace. When they came out of the fire, the King and his advisors saw that they were not
scorched and there was no smell of fire on them. The King exclaimed, “Praise to the God of
Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego who has sent his angel and rescued his servants because they
were willing to give up their lives than to serve or worship any god except their own God. Therefore, I
decree that whoever says anything against the God of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego will be
killed.”

1. The time when God wanted to raise up His servants, Shadrach, Meshach and
Abednego came
1) God loves His people eternally and would never abandon them. When God caused
them to be exiled to Babylon, He already had His greatest plan on them, which was
for them to conquer Babylon and influence many people.
2) Among the Jews who were exiled were Daniel and his three friends, Shadrach,
Meshach and Abednego. When they reached Babylon, the first thing they did was to
make a resolution before God not to eat and drink the royal food given by the King.
They only wanted to rely on God’s promise to influence Babylon. God hence blessed
them, such that they had intelligence and wisdom and were raised up in Babylon
 3) Now, God wanted to bless them greatly, such that their faith and the name of the God that
they worshipped could be spread to the whole of Babylon and all nations and people.
God therefore gave them a test. This test was to get them to worship an image of God
that the King made.

2. Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego faced the enemies with self-sacrificial faith
1) Because Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego already knew that the destruction of
Israel was a result of worshipping of idols, when they were faced with a trial, they
knew clearly that it was the devil, Satan’s way of tempting them, causing them to
commit the same sin as the Israelites.
2) Therefore, the three of them remained firm and did not waver because they knew
that God would save them. Even though it meant that they would lose their lives, they
would not worship the image of gold. (Because even if they were burned to death,
they would still be with God.)
3) However, when they were thrown into the furnace, God had already been with them
personally, protecting them so that they were not hurt by the fire. (Just like how God
Jesus Christ became a man, came to this world and died for our sins, so that we will not
be brought to hell by the devil because of our sins.)

3. Because the three friends made a confession of their faith, the name of the Lord,
God was glorified and the three friends were hence promoted in Babylon
1) Because of Daniel and his three friends’ sacrificial faith, the devil, Satan was chased
away. He thus did not have the ability or the courage to attack them.
2) King Nebuchadnezzar was also humbled, knowing that the God of Shadrach,
Meshach and Abednego was an Almighty God, and hence gave Him all the glory.
Thereafter, the King also decreed that among the nations and people, no one was
allowed blaspheme His name.
3) Eventually, the King promoted the positions of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego in
Babylon, such that they became very important people in Babylon and would
manage the administration of Babylon.

*Ponder: When we face danger, trials and temptations (e.g. Friends and parents telling
us not to believe in Jesus, and not to attend Church and even bring us to other
places to play or eat good food in place, will we compromise? When we are in school,
do we let others know that we are Christians? Before our meals, do we dare to give
thanks for our food? Do we have the courage to tell them that Jesus is God and
Jesus loves them?