"Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego replied to him, 'King Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter. If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to deliver us from it, and he will deliver us from Your Majesty’s hand. But even if he does not, we want you to know, Your Majesty, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up.'”

Daniel 3:16-18

In the refining process, with incredible violence, the copper ore is blasted out of the rock, crushed into powder, mixed with powerful chemicals, poured into smelting furnaces at temperatures exceeding 3,000 degrees Celsius, and then submerged in electrified tanks of sulfuric acid. The end result is that the impurities are dislodged and skimmed off, leaving almost 100% pure copper. Nebuchadnezzar’s furnace was a literal test of faith for Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego.

The fulcrum of this passage is in verses 16–19. The king decided to create a monstrous golden image, possibly honoring himself (v. 1). He decided to deify himself by creating a statue, not only for people to remember him but also, he may have hoped, for them to worship him. During his lifetime, he demanded total compliance. Opponents would meet their deaths in the fiery furnace (v. 6). Fear of pain and desire for pleasure are often used by Satan to tempt us, but God may use them to test the genuineness of our faith and to build us up in our quest for uncompromising discipleship. So, the three men were thrown into the fiery furnace (v. 21). They did not presume to know the will of God, whether he would deliver them or allow them to die. What they knew and insisted upon was that, whatever the outcome, they would resolutely obey the command to have no other gods (v. 18).

Closing Prayer

Lord of All, you alone are God. Help me recognize idolatry’s enticing allure, whatever form it takes, and give me the wisdom, strength, and courage to resist it (edited from Encounter with God).