Thoughts on Daniel (pt 3)

“Therefore at that time certain Chaldean’s came forward and maliciously accused the Jews.” Daniel 3:8

Who were the Chaldean?

We learn from Genesis that the Abram (Abraham) came from the land of the Chaldean (Genesis 11:28-31) And what does GOD ask of him? To come out of the land of his fathers. Come out and be lead by God. Because God had a plan and a purpose for Abraham and all his descendants

Going back to Daniel, we see the Chaldean’s are accusing the Jews. The same Jewish people who were from the very same line of Abraham who was a Chaldean. Do you see what is going on here? We were once part of the “world” and that “world” keeps calling us back. It keeps on tempting us to go against what God has brought us out of.  The Chaldean’s “maliciously accused the Jews” and that is just like the world to ridicule followers of Christ? To cause christians trouble and harm?

What did the Chaldean’s want?

“There are certain Jews whom you have appointed over the affairs of the province of Babylon: Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. These men, O king, pay no attention to you; they do not serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up.” Daniel 3:12

Here the Chaldean’s (the world) were wanting to cause problems for these men. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, were being asked to bow down to an image of the king in worship unto him. The Jewish men refused. Even when brought before the king they refused. Their response: “O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer you in this matter. ¹⁷ If this be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of your hand, O king.^{[d] 18} But if not, be it known to you, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up.”

There is a lot here in this passage alone. To continue though, despite the  attacks of the Chaldean’s and the temptation to bow, despite the threat of the King, despite whatever the outcome..they were not willing to deny or disobey the God they served. 

Often times the world (like the Chaldean’s) will try to lure us away from the things of God. We see that in Daniel 1, these men could have joined in with eating the kings meats and delicacies. But, they refused and stood their ground. Then we see God giving them favor. Now, we see here, they once again refuse to be tempted. They stand their ground.

The world is always luring us away, always calling to us to chase after them, to run with what is popular, or whatever gives you “happiness”.

Faithfully obedient

Did God turn things around and change the kings mind about their refusal to bow to the idol? No! In fact, what happens next? The king is furious, he orders the furnace to be made even hotter! These men didn’t bow still. They knew the One True God and they could not deny him. And though they still stood their ground, they did not receive the rescue. The fire was not dosed. An angel did not stop the kings men from throwing them in. The next thing we read is that they were cast into the furnace.

Yet…as they were in the midst of a trial, for Gods glory alone, they were saved and brought out of the fire. God gave them a specific miracle. He did save them. But for his own good purposes he may not always. We may not be faced with this specific situation, but we may be asked to stand up for what is godly and right. How will we respond?

Final thoughts

Many are tempted by the world and many fall. Few stand their ground and say “no” and “I will not bow”. And even fewer stand when faced with death. But, how will you respond when, and dare I say “if”, you are asked to choose?

Will you OBEY God and still stand for Him even if you are not rescued from your trial?  When we are tempted and challenged how will you respond?

If it comes to death will you say, “but even if he does not rescue me, I will not bow”

January 17, 2017 by Fanning the flame 3 Comments