Astonished, Nebuchadnezzar saw four men loose in the flames—not three men bound.
Lesson 3 - Defying the Death Decree
The book of Revelation describes a decree, which will be passed at the end of time, similar to the decree in Daniel 3. Please read Revelation 13:15-17 and note the similarities between the two edicts.
According to Romans 13:1, Christians have a responsibility to obey the civil authorities. We should obey the laws of the land. Yet no earthly power has the authority to intervene between the individual conscience and God. The commands of God supersede the human laws of the state. If any state passes laws requiring its citizens to violate God’s law, God’s people are always subject to the higher law of God.
The three Hebrew youths were placed in a trying position. Preserving their loyalty to God meant being disloyal to Nebuchadnezzar.
Commitment at a Cost: Questions 6-8
The response of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego was immediate. The King James Version says, “We are not careful to answer thee in this matter, O King” (verse 18). The old English word “careful” means hesitant. They were settled. Procrastination, hesitancy, or delay would have made them vulnerable to Satan’s temptations. The only safe course when faced with temptation is to take a decided stand for right.
They were thrown into the fiery furnace “bound.” Apparently alone, they faced death.