INTRODUCTION: The main points of this outline (though not in the same order) are taken from Daniel 3:28Then Nebuchadnezzar spake, and said, Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, who hath sent his angel, and delivered his servants that trusted in him, and have changed the king's word, and yielded their bodies, that they might not serve nor worship any god, except their own God.
See All...: “Then Nebuchadnezzar spake, and said, Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, who hath sent his angel, and delivered his servants that trusted in him, and have changed the king's word, and yielded their bodies, that they might not serve nor worship any god, except their own God.” What an example these three young Hebrew men are to all of us!

1. THEY REFUSED TO WORSHIP OTHER GODS (Daniel 3:1-12 [1] Nebuchadnezzar the king made an image of gold, whose height was threescore cubits, and the breadth thereof six cubits: he set it up in the plain of Dura, in the province of Babylon. [2] Then Nebuchadnezzar the king sent to gather together the princes, the governors, and the captains, the judges, the treasurers, the counsellors, the sheriffs, and all the rulers of the provinces, to come to the dedication of the image which Nebuchadnezzar the king had set up. [3] Then the princes, the governors, and captains, the judges, the treasurers, the counsellors, the sheriffs, and all the rulers of the provinces, were gathered together unto the dedication of the image that Nebuchadnezzar the king had set up; and they stood before the image that Nebuchadnezzar had set up. [4] Then an herald cried aloud, To you it is commanded, O people, nations, and languages, [5] That at what time ye hear the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, dulcimer, and all kinds of musick, ye fall down and worship the golden image that Nebuchadnezzar the king hath set up: [6] And whoso falleth not down and worshippeth shall the same hour be cast into the midst of a burning fiery furnace. [7] Therefore at that time, when all the people heard the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, and all kinds of musick, all the people, the nations, and the languages, fell down and worshipped the golden image that Nebuchadnezzar the king had set up. [8] Wherefore at that time certain Chaldeans came near, and accused the Jews. [9] They spake and said to the king Nebuchadnezzar, O king, live for ever. [10] Thou, O king, hast made a decree, that every man that shall hear the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, and dulcimer, and all kinds of musick, shall fall down and worship the golden image: [11] And whoso falleth not down and worshippeth, that he should be cast into the midst of a burning fiery furnace. [12] There are certain Jews whom thou hast set over the affairs of the province of Babylon, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego; these men, O king, have not regarded thee: they serve not thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up.
   See All...)
1. The Setting Up of the Image (Daniel 3:1Nebuchadnezzar the king made an image of gold, whose height was threescore cubits, and the breadth thereof six cubits: he set it up in the plain of Dura, in the province of Babylon.
   See All...)
1. The source of the image: man-made
2. The substance of the image: gold (Exodus 20:23Ye shall not make with me gods of silver, neither shall ye make unto you gods of gold.
   See All...; Exodus 32:31And Moses returned unto the LORD, and said, Oh, this people have sinned a great sin, and have made them gods of gold.
   See All...)
3. The dimensions of the image; Note: The number 6 is the number of man.
1. 60 cubits high
2. 6 cubits wide
4. The erection of the image; called the image that Nebuchadnezzar had set up eight times in this chapter (Daniel 3:2Then Nebuchadnezzar the king sent to gather together the princes, the governors, and the captains, the judges, the treasurers, the counsellors, the sheriffs, and all the rulers of the provinces, to come to the dedication of the image which Nebuchadnezzar the king had set up.
   See All..., 3, 5, 7, 12, 14, 18). This is a picture of all false religion. It is set up by man.
5. The location of the image
1. In a plain, where multitudes could see it
2. In Babylon, the source of false religion
2. The Gathering of the People (Daniel 3:2-3 [2] Then Nebuchadnezzar the king sent to gather together the princes, the governors, and the captains, the judges, the treasurers, the counsellors, the sheriffs, and all the rulers of the provinces, to come to the dedication of the image which Nebuchadnezzar the king had set up. [3] Then the princes, the governors, and captains, the judges, the treasurers, the counsellors, the sheriffs, and all the rulers of the provinces, were gathered together unto the dedication of the image that Nebuchadnezzar the king had set up; and they stood before the image that Nebuchadnezzar had set up.
   See All...)
1. The audience called to the gathering (Daniel 3:2Then Nebuchadnezzar the king sent to gather together the princes, the governors, and the captains, the judges, the treasurers, the counsellors, the sheriffs, and all the rulers of the provinces, to come to the dedication of the image which Nebuchadnezzar the king had set up.
   See All...)
1. Princes
2. Governors
3. Captains
4. Judges
5. Treasurers
6. Counsellors
7. Sheriffs
8. Rulers of the provinces
2. The purpose of the gathering – “the dedication of the image” (Daniel 3:2Then Nebuchadnezzar the king sent to gather together the princes, the governors, and the captains, the judges, the treasurers, the counsellors, the sheriffs, and all the rulers of the provinces, to come to the dedication of the image which Nebuchadnezzar the king had set up.
   See All...)
3. The obedience of those called to the dedication (Daniel 3:3Then the princes, the governors, and captains, the judges, the treasurers, the counsellors, the sheriffs, and all the rulers of the provinces, were gathered together unto the dedication of the image that Nebuchadnezzar the king had set up; and they stood before the image that Nebuchadnezzar had set up.
   See All...)
1. Every group that was called came.
2. Contrast this with the marriage feast of Luke 14:15-24 [15] And when one of them that sat at meat with him heard these things, he said unto him, Blessed is he that shall eat bread in the kingdom of God. [16] Then said he unto him, A certain man made a great supper, and bade many: [17] And sent his servant at supper time to say to them that were bidden, Come; for all things are now ready. [18] And they all with one consent began to make excuse. The first said unto him, I have bought a piece of ground, and I must needs go and see it: I pray thee have me excused. [19] And another said, I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I go to prove them: I pray thee have me excused. [20] And another said, I have married a wife, and therefore I cannot come. [21] So that servant came, and shewed his lord these things. Then the master of the house being angry said to his servant, Go out quickly into the streets and lanes of the city, and bring in hither the poor, and the maimed, and the halt, and the blind. [22] And the servant said, Lord, it is done as thou hast commanded, and yet there is room. [23] And the lord said unto the servant, Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled. [24] For I say unto you, That none of those men which were bidden shall taste of my supper.
   See All....
3. Men are often more faithful to carnal or unrighteous causes than to those ordered of the Lord.
3. The Worship of the Image (Daniel 3:4-7 [4] Then an herald cried aloud, To you it is commanded, O people, nations, and languages, [5] That at what time ye hear the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, dulcimer, and all kinds of musick, ye fall down and worship the golden image that Nebuchadnezzar the king hath set up: [6] And whoso falleth not down and worshippeth shall the same hour be cast into the midst of a burning fiery furnace. [7] Therefore at that time, when all the people heard the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, and all kinds of musick, all the people, the nations, and the languages, fell down and worshipped the golden image that Nebuchadnezzar the king had set up.
   See All...)
1. The command to worship (Daniel 3:4Then an herald cried aloud, To you it is commanded, O people, nations, and languages,
   See All...)
2. The call to worship (Daniel 3:5That at what time ye hear the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, dulcimer, and all kinds of musick, ye fall down and worship the golden image that Nebuchadnezzar the king hath set up:
   See All...); the devil knows how to use musick.
1. The instruments employed; Note: Once again a connection to the number 6
1. Cornet
2. Flute
3. Harp
4. Sackbut
5. Psaltery
6. Dulcimer
2. The musick employed; “all kinds of musick”
3. The reaction expected
1. The people would fall down.
2. The people would worship the image set up by Nebuchadnezzar.
3. The compulsion to worship (Daniel 3:6And whoso falleth not down and worshippeth shall the same hour be cast into the midst of a burning fiery furnace.
   See All...)
1. Whoso falleth not down and worshippeth
2. Shall the same hour be cast into the midst of a burning fiery furnace
4. The compliance of the people (Daniel 3:7Therefore at that time, when all the people heard the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, and all kinds of musick, all the people, the nations, and the languages, fell down and worshipped the golden image that Nebuchadnezzar the king had set up.
   See All...)
1. The people heard the sound of the musick.
2. The people fell down and worshipped.
1. All the people; with the exception of three (see Daniel 3:12There are certain Jews whom thou hast set over the affairs of the province of Babylon, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego; these men, O king, have not regarded thee: they serve not thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up.
   See All...)
2. All the nations
3. All languages
4. The Defiance of the Hebrew Children (Daniel 3:8-12 [8] Wherefore at that time certain Chaldeans came near, and accused the Jews. [9] They spake and said to the king Nebuchadnezzar, O king, live for ever. [10] Thou, O king, hast made a decree, that every man that shall hear the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, and dulcimer, and all kinds of musick, shall fall down and worship the golden image: [11] And whoso falleth not down and worshippeth, that he should be cast into the midst of a burning fiery furnace. [12] There are certain Jews whom thou hast set over the affairs of the province of Babylon, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego; these men, O king, have not regarded thee: they serve not thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up.
   See All...)
1. The accusation of rebellion (Daniel 3:8Wherefore at that time certain Chaldeans came near, and accused the Jews.
   See All...)
1. The accusers – certain Chaldeans
2. The accused – the Jews
2. The repetition of the command (Daniel 3:9-11 [9] They spake and said to the king Nebuchadnezzar, O king, live for ever. [10] Thou, O king, hast made a decree, that every man that shall hear the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, and dulcimer, and all kinds of musick, shall fall down and worship the golden image: [11] And whoso falleth not down and worshippeth, that he should be cast into the midst of a burning fiery furnace.
   See All...)
1. They opened with flattery (Daniel 3:9They spake and said to the king Nebuchadnezzar, O king, live for ever.
   See All...).
2. They reminded him of his decree (Daniel 3:10Thou, O king, hast made a decree, that every man that shall hear the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, and dulcimer, and all kinds of musick, shall fall down and worship the golden image:
   See All...).
3. They reminded him of the judgment (Daniel 3:11And whoso falleth not down and worshippeth, that he should be cast into the midst of a burning fiery furnace.
   See All...).
3. The refusal of the Hebrew children (Daniel 3:12There are certain Jews whom thou hast set over the affairs of the province of Babylon, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego; these men, O king, have not regarded thee: they serve not thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up.
   See All...)
1. The concern that the men were in positions of authority
2. The concern for the magnitude of rebellion
1. They have not regarded thee.
2. They serve not thy gods.
3. They do not worship the golden image.
2. THEY TRUSTED IN THE LORD (Daniel 3:13-18 [13] Then Nebuchadnezzar in his rage and fury commanded to bring Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. Then they brought these men before the king. [14] Nebuchadnezzar spake and said unto them, Is it true, O Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, do not ye serve my gods, nor worship the golden image which I have set up? [15] Now if ye be ready that at what time ye hear the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, and dulcimer, and all kinds of musick, ye fall down and worship the image which I have made; well: but if ye worship not, ye shall be cast the same hour into the midst of a burning fiery furnace; and who is that God that shall deliver you out of my hands? [16] Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, answered and said to the king, O Nebuchadnezzar, we are not careful to answer thee in this matter. [17] If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of thine hand, O king. [18] But if not, be it known unto thee, O king, that we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up.
   See All...)
1. The Furious King (Daniel 3:13-14 [13] Then Nebuchadnezzar in his rage and fury commanded to bring Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. Then they brought these men before the king. [14] Nebuchadnezzar spake and said unto them, Is it true, O Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, do not ye serve my gods, nor worship the golden image which I have set up?
   See All...)
1. The rage of the king (Daniel 3:13Then Nebuchadnezzar in his rage and fury commanded to bring Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. Then they brought these men before the king.
   See All...)
2. The disbelief of the king (Daniel 3:14Nebuchadnezzar spake and said unto them, Is it true, O Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, do not ye serve my gods, nor worship the golden image which I have set up?
   See All...)
1. Is it true?
2. Do not ye serve my gods?
3. Do not ye worship the image I have set up?
2. The Second Chance (Daniel 3:15Now if ye be ready that at what time ye hear the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, and dulcimer, and all kinds of musick, ye fall down and worship the image which I have made; well: but if ye worship not, ye shall be cast the same hour into the midst of a burning fiery furnace; and who is that God that shall deliver you out of my hands?
   See All...)
1. He reminded them of the details of the decree.
2. He reminded them of the consequences of rebellion.
3. He questioned God’s ability to deliver.
3. The Bold Reply (Daniel 3:16-18 [16] Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, answered and said to the king, O Nebuchadnezzar, we are not careful to answer thee in this matter. [17] If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of thine hand, O king. [18] But if not, be it known unto thee, O king, that we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up.
   See All...)
1. Not careful to answer in “this matter” (Daniel 3:16Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, answered and said to the king, O Nebuchadnezzar, we are not careful to answer thee in this matter.
   See All...); meaning they were not full of cares and fears in responding to the question about their God
2. No doubt in their God (Daniel 3:17If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of thine hand, O king.
   See All...)
1. He was able to deliver out of the fiery furnace.
2. He would deliver out of the king’s hand.
3. Note: The Hebrews were certain of God’s ability to deliver from the fiery furnace, but not certain that it would be God’s choice (see Daniel 3:18But if not, be it known unto thee, O king, that we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up.
   See All...). They were certain, however, that God would deliver them from the king’s hand. This would be accomplished regardless of the outcome of the fiery furnace.
3. No wavering in their stand (Daniel 3:18But if not, be it known unto thee, O king, that we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up.
   See All...)
1. Regardless of God’s choice to deliver from the furnace
2. They were resolved to follow the Lord.
1. Not to serve false gods
2. Not to worship the golden image
3. THEY YIELDED THEIR BODIES (Daniel 3:19-23 [19] Then was Nebuchadnezzar full of fury, and the form of his visage was changed against Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego: therefore he spake, and commanded that they should heat the furnace one seven times more than it was wont to be heated. [20] And he commanded the most mighty men that were in his army to bind Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, and to cast them into the burning fiery furnace. [21] Then these men were bound in their coats, their hosen, and their hats, and their other garments, and were cast into the midst of the burning fiery furnace. [22] Therefore because the king's commandment was urgent, and the furnace exceeding hot, the flames of the fire slew those men that took up Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. [23] And these three men, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, fell down bound into the midst of the burning fiery furnace.
   See All...)
1. The Blazing of the Furnace (Daniel 3:19Then was Nebuchadnezzar full of fury, and the form of his visage was changed against Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego: therefore he spake, and commanded that they should heat the furnace one seven times more than it was wont to be heated.
   See All...); seven times hotter than normal
1. The king’s anger
1. He was full of fury.
2. The form of his visage was changed against the Hebrews.
2. The king’s response
1. He commanded that the furnace be heated.
2. He wanted it to be heated seven times more than it was wont to be heated.
2. The Binding of the Hebrew Children (Daniel 3:20-21 [20] And he commanded the most mighty men that were in his army to bind Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, and to cast them into the burning fiery furnace. [21] Then these men were bound in their coats, their hosen, and their hats, and their other garments, and were cast into the midst of the burning fiery furnace.
   See All...)
1. Bound by the men of greatest might (Daniel 3:20And he commanded the most mighty men that were in his army to bind Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, and to cast them into the burning fiery furnace.
   See All...)
2. Bound with their own garments (Daniel 3:21Then these men were bound in their coats, their hosen, and their hats, and their other garments, and were cast into the midst of the burning fiery furnace.
   See All...)
1. Their coats
2. Their hosen
3. Their hats
4. Their other garments
3. The Burning of the King’s Servants (Daniel 3:22Therefore because the king's commandment was urgent, and the furnace exceeding hot, the flames of the fire slew those men that took up Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego.
   See All...)
1. Because of the urgency of the king’s command; Note: Haste often causes great harm to others.
2. Because of the exceeding heat of the furnace
4. The Residents of the Fiery Furnace (Daniel 3:23And these three men, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, fell down bound into the midst of the burning fiery furnace.
   See All...)
1. The number given to the furnace – “these three men”
2. The entrance into the furnace
1. They fell down.
2. In the midst of the fiery furnace
4. THEY CHANGED THE KING’S WORD (Daniel 3:24-30 [24] Then Nebuchadnezzar the king was astonied, and rose up in haste, and spake, and said unto his counsellors, Did not we cast three men bound into the midst of the fire? They answered and said unto the king, True, O king. [25] He answered and said, Lo, I see four men loose, walking in the midst of the fire, and they have no hurt; and the form of the fourth is like the Son of God. [26] Then Nebuchadnezzar came near to the mouth of the burning fiery furnace, and spake, and said, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, ye servants of the most high God, come forth, and come hither. Then Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, came forth of the midst of the fire. [27] And the princes, governors, and captains, and the king's counsellors, being gathered together, saw these men, upon whose bodies the fire had no power, nor was an hair of their head singed, neither were their coats changed, nor the smell of fire had passed on them. [28] Then Nebuchadnezzar spake, and said, Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, who hath sent his angel, and delivered his servants that trusted in him, and have changed the king's word, and yielded their bodies, that they might not serve nor worship any god, except their own God. [29] Therefore I make a decree, That every people, nation, and language, which speak any thing amiss against the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, shall be cut in pieces, and their houses shall be made a dunghill: because there is no other God that can deliver after this sort. [30] Then the king promoted Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, in the province of Babylon.
   See All...)
1. The Sighting of the Fourth Man (Daniel 3:24-25 [24] Then Nebuchadnezzar the king was astonied, and rose up in haste, and spake, and said unto his counsellors, Did not we cast three men bound into the midst of the fire? They answered and said unto the king, True, O king. [25] He answered and said, Lo, I see four men loose, walking in the midst of the fire, and they have no hurt; and the form of the fourth is like the Son of God.
   See All...)
1. The king’s response (Daniel 3:24Then Nebuchadnezzar the king was astonied, and rose up in haste, and spake, and said unto his counsellors, Did not we cast three men bound into the midst of the fire? They answered and said unto the king, True, O king.
   See All...)
1. He was astonied.
2. He rose up in haste.
3. He consulted with his counsellors.
1. He sought assurance.
1. Nebuchadnezzar: “Did not we cast three men bound into the midst of the fire?”
2. The counsellors: “True, O king.”
2. He sought clarity.
1. There were three. Now there were four.
2. They were bound. Now they were loose.
2. The king’s revelation (Daniel 3:25He answered and said, Lo, I see four men loose, walking in the midst of the fire, and they have no hurt; and the form of the fourth is like the Son of God.
   See All...)
1. The number of men – “I see four men.”
2. The condition of the men
1. They were loose.
2. They were walking in the midst of the fire.
3. They had no hurt.
3. The additional man - The fourth man like the Son of God (see Hebrews 7:3Without father, without mother, without descent, having neither beginning of days, nor end of life; but made like unto the Son of God; abideth a priest continually.
   See All...); this is an appearance of Jesus Christ (see Revelation 1:15And his feet like unto fine brass, as if they burned in a furnace; and his voice as the sound of many waters.
   See All...).
4. Note: The modern versions corrupt this verse, taking great pains to remove any suggestion that the king of Babylon could have known about God or God’s Son, Jesus Christ. They also remove the reference to the One true God in Daniel 3:15Now if ye be ready that at what time ye hear the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, and dulcimer, and all kinds of musick, ye fall down and worship the image which I have made; well: but if ye worship not, ye shall be cast the same hour into the midst of a burning fiery furnace; and who is that God that shall deliver you out of my hands?
   See All... by changing “God” to “god.”
2. The Calling Forth of the Hebrew Children (Daniel 3:26-27 [26] Then Nebuchadnezzar came near to the mouth of the burning fiery furnace, and spake, and said, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, ye servants of the most high God, come forth, and come hither. Then Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, came forth of the midst of the fire. [27] And the princes, governors, and captains, and the king's counsellors, being gathered together, saw these men, upon whose bodies the fire had no power, nor was an hair of their head singed, neither were their coats changed, nor the smell of fire had passed on them.
   See All...)
1. Their call (Daniel 3:26Then Nebuchadnezzar came near to the mouth of the burning fiery furnace, and spake, and said, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, ye servants of the most high God, come forth, and come hither. Then Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, came forth of the midst of the fire.
   See All...)
1. Nebuchadnezzar came near to the mouth of the burning fiery furnace. Note: This is likely the area of danger that killed the king’s mightiest men.
2. He called out to the Hebrews.
1. He called them by name.
2. He identified them as “servants of the most high God.”
3. He called for them to come forth and come hither.
2. Their condition (Daniel 3:26-27 [26] Then Nebuchadnezzar came near to the mouth of the burning fiery furnace, and spake, and said, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, ye servants of the most high God, come forth, and come hither. Then Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, came forth of the midst of the fire. [27] And the princes, governors, and captains, and the king's counsellors, being gathered together, saw these men, upon whose bodies the fire had no power, nor was an hair of their head singed, neither were their coats changed, nor the smell of fire had passed on them.
   See All...)
1. They came forth of the midst of the fire (Daniel 3:26Then Nebuchadnezzar came near to the mouth of the burning fiery furnace, and spake, and said, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, ye servants of the most high God, come forth, and come hither. Then Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, came forth of the midst of the fire.
   See All...).
2. They came forth in the presence of great men (Daniel 3:27And the princes, governors, and captains, and the king's counsellors, being gathered together, saw these men, upon whose bodies the fire had no power, nor was an hair of their head singed, neither were their coats changed, nor the smell of fire had passed on them.
   See All...).
3. They came forth without harm.
1. The fire had no power on their bodies.
2. Not an hair of their head was singed.
3. Their coats were not changed.
4. No smell of fire had passed on them.
3. The Exaltation of the True God (Daniel 3:28-29 [28] Then Nebuchadnezzar spake, and said, Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, who hath sent his angel, and delivered his servants that trusted in him, and have changed the king's word, and yielded their bodies, that they might not serve nor worship any god, except their own God. [29] Therefore I make a decree, That every people, nation, and language, which speak any thing amiss against the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, shall be cut in pieces, and their houses shall be made a dunghill: because there is no other God that can deliver after this sort.
   See All...)
1. The king’s declaration (Daniel 3:28Then Nebuchadnezzar spake, and said, Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, who hath sent his angel, and delivered his servants that trusted in him, and have changed the king's word, and yielded their bodies, that they might not serve nor worship any god, except their own God.
   See All...)
1. The content of his declaration – “Blessed be the God of . . .”
2. The reason for his declaration
1. God’s deliverance
2. The Hebrews’ faithfulness
2. The king’s decree (Daniel 3:29Therefore I make a decree, That every people, nation, and language, which speak any thing amiss against the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, shall be cut in pieces, and their houses shall be made a dunghill: because there is no other God that can deliver after this sort.
   See All...)
1. Covering every people – “every people, nation, and language”
2. Ceasing speech against God – speaking “any thing amiss against” God
3. Calling for judgment upon those who rebel
4. The Promotion of the Hebrew Children (Daniel 3:30Then the king promoted Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, in the province of Babylon.
   See All...)

CONCLUSION: The Hebrew children (as they are often called) stood up for the Lord at a time when it was not popular to do so. They refused to go along with the crowd even when it threatened to cost them their own lives. And, although God gave them the victory over Nebuchadnezzar, they knew that He did not have to spare them (Daniel 3:17-18 [17] If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of thine hand, O king. [18] But if not, be it known unto thee, O king, that we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up.
See All...). They could have died in the furnace. But they still refused to bow to the image. In what ways can we stand up for right even when it is not popular? Do you know any instances of someone standing up and changing the king’s word or perhaps the policy at a school or workplace? How can you apply this to your life?