People of Faith Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego (Lesson 24)
Introduction:
1. In Hebrews 11 we read about a number of men and women from the Old Testament and the ways they demonstrated their faith. 2. Through their examples they have shown us how we may: a. please God (vs.6) b. obtain a good report (vs.2, 39). 3. Vs.32 mentions several men without specifically telling how they demonstrated their faith. 4. In vs.33-38 a number of demonstrations of faith are mentioned without giving the names of the people involved. 5. In this lesson we are concentrating on an occasion when the violence of fire was quenched (vs.34). 6. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were the young men involved, and the details of this special event are recorded in Daniel 3. 7. Before we study this chapter, let us first consider . . .
Discussion:
I. THE EVENTS THAT LED TO THE VIOLENCE OF FIRE BEING QUENCHED
A. Daniel 1 1. (vs.1-2) Nebuchadnezzar, the king of Babylon, took control of Jerusalem. 2. (vs.3-7) Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were among the Jews chosen to serve the king. 3. (vs.17-20) After going through their period of training, these 3 young men "stood before the king" with Daniel. B. Daniel 2 1. The king had a dream that Daniel revealed and interpreted. 2. (vs.31-35) The dream was about a great image with the sections of its body composed of various materials. 3. (vs.36-40) When Daniel interpreted the dream he showed that the sections of the image's body represented 4 kingdoms. 4. (vs.48-49) Daniel was promoted, and his 3 friends were placed "over the affairs of the province of Babylon."
II. (Daniel 3) THE VIOLENCE OF FIRE WAS QUENCHED
A. (vs.1) Nebuchadnezzar built a great image of gold. B. (vs.2-7) When the image was dedicated, the king commanded all the people to worship it when the music was played [note the penalty for disobeying this command - vs.6]. C. God did not allow His people to worship images such as this (Exodus 20:3-6). D. (vs.8-12) The king was informed that Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego disobeyed his command to worship the image. E. (vs.13-18) The 3 young men were brought before the king, and they demonstrated their faith in their response to him. F. (vs.19-23) The king had them cast into the fiery furnace. G. (vs.24-27) The 3 young Jewish men were completely delivered from the furnace. H. (vs.28-29) The king issued a new decree. I. (vs.30) Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were promoted.
