A Journey Through The Old Testament - Elmer Towns

6:10; 7:12, 21; Neh. 1:5; 2:4; Ps. 136:26), it is a title first used of God by Abraham (Gen. 24:7).
He further described God as the “God of my Fathers,” suggesting Daniel saw his experience with
God as one of obtaining His mercy as had the fathers in Israel’s past.
The dream was of a large statue which outlined the course of world history in terms of
four particular kingdoms. Babylon was represented in this dream by the head of gold on the
image. A second kingdom of the Medes and Persians was symbolized by a chest and arms of
silver. The third kingdom of Greece was represented in the dream by a bronze belly and thighs.
The fourth kingdom was Rome as pictured by iron legs and feet of iron and clay (Dan. 2:31-33,
37-40).
In keeping with his previous promise, the king rewarded Daniel. First, he honored Daniel
by recognizing his God as superior to others worshiped in Babylon. Though this was not saving
faith in Jehovah as the only true God, it was the first of several steps to be taken by
Nebuchadnezzar toward that conclusion. Then he honored Daniel by making him a chief administrator
over the wise men of Babylon. Daniel responded by requesting similar honors for his
companions who had prayed with him for the revelation of the dream. They were also granted
important administrative positions in the kingdom (w. 48-49).
No sooner had Daniel’s companions received this honor than they were confronted with
another trial of their faith. Probably inspired by the statue in his dream, Nebuchadnezzar erected
a massive statue of gold. Perhaps he was attempting to predict his kingdom would be permanent
and that the others would not follow. Depending on the size of a cubit, this statue was 90 to 110
feet high. By comparison, the colossus of Rome was 105 feet high. Thought it is called an
“image of gold,” its immense size suggests the statue may have been overlaid with gold. It was
set up in the plain of Dura. About six miles south of the ancient city of Babylon, archeologists
have identified a large brick construction 45 feet square and 20 feet high. It could have been a
base or pedestal for the image.
Nebuchadnezzar commanded his people to worship the statue/idol at the sounding of the
music. But. the recently promoted companions of Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego,
refused to compromise their convictions. Those who were jealous of the positions enjoyed by
these three saw to it that the king learned about their violation of his new law (3:1-2).
The Hebrews were brought in before the king to face charges. They did not try to hide
their guilt but rather confessed their faith in the ability of God to deliver them from the furnace,
the penalty for not obeying the law. They added, however, that even if God should for some
reason choose not to deliver them, they would not alter their commitment to God (vv. 13-18).
More than one writer has noted the absence of Daniel in this situation. The Scriptures are
silent on the activities of Daniel at this time and several suggestions have been made to explain
his absence. He may have been sick or away from Babylon at the time these events occurred.
Some have even suggested Daniel’s position in the kingdom exempted him from what amounted
to an oath of allegiance.
The affirmation of their faith in God did not exempt Daniel’s three friends from the
prescribed penalty of the law. They were bound and cast into a furnace probably not too unlike a
modern limekiln. The furnace was probably fueled with oil-treated charcoal (v. 21).
When Nebuchadnezzar looked into the furnace expecting to see three charred bodies, he
was surprised to see four men walking, apparently oblivious to the discomfort of the flames. The
only thing damaged by the flames was the rope that had bound them. In the heat of their trial,
they had been joined by the Lord Himself. Most commentators believe the fourth Man in the
furnace was a Christophany (v. 26).