Christ-Light Connections: Three Men in the Fiery Furnace & Daniel and Belshazzar

The Israelites no longer had the freedom to worship God as he had commanded. The temple was destroyed, and they were forced to leave behind the promised land. Idolatry was everywhere.

In this time of darkness, God’s people had a new opportunity to be a light for the world. 

The Christ Light theme this week is boldly tell unbelievers about God and his judgment.

OT3 11A

Three Men in the Fiery Furnace — 2 Kings 24, 25; Daniel 1, 3

Context

Shadrach, Meshach, Abednego, and Daniel were young Israelite men who were taken captive and conscripted into the service of the Babylonian king, Nebuchadnezzar. Under this unbelieving ruler, they would repeatedly struggle with how to respect their new government and how to obey the LORD in the face of persecution.

Big Ideas

The Exile (2 Kings 24, 25)

God’s chosen people had lived in the promised land for about 700 years. Part of the peace and freedom they enjoyed was conditional on their two-way covenant with God (Exodus 19:5-6). They were to obey the LORD’s commands and worship him alone. Generations of evil kings led Judah deeper and deeper into idolatry, witchcraft, spiritism, and the continual spilling of innocent blood (these are the sins of Manasseh 2 Kings 24:3-4). The time for God’s patience had ended. Because of the LORD’s anger, they were thrust from his presence. (2 Kings 24:20)

Conversation Starters:

• What adjectives would you use to describe the God who sent his people into exile?
• What unconditional covenant had God also made with his people? How would this affect their captivity? (Jeremiah 29:10-14)
• What adjectives would you use to describe the God who would bring his people home?

Identity Threats (Daniel 1:1-21)

Four believing men, Shadrach, Meshach, Abednego, and Daniel, now lived under a heathen king. In his service, a new identity was thrust upon them. They were given new Babylonian names, immersed in the study of Babylonian culture and religion, and prescribed a heathen diet.

Eating from the king’s table not only meant that they would consume unclean foods (Leviticus 11), but they would also be participating in idol worship. These meals were festival meals meant to honor the Babylonian gods.

Daniel could have easily thought, “I have no choice,” and gone with the flow. Instead, in faith, he obeyed God and trusted that God would bless his efforts.

Conversation Starters:

• How was God glorified through Daniel’s obedience?
• How do you think Daniel was treated by the others who were conscripted into the king’s service during this time?
• Have you ever been treated differently because of your obedience to God?
• How do you think this trial prepared these believing men for future trials?

Greater Persecution (Daniel 3:1-23)

After experiencing God’s help and blessings in small ways, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego now would have the opportunity to place their trust in God in even more threatening circumstances. 

King Nebuchadnezzar is characterized as a prideful, arrogant king. This statue was not just an idol, but a monument to himself and his absolute power over his conquered people. The refusal to worship this image was a declaration against Nebuchadnezzar’s supremacy. These three men believed that their God was more supreme than their king, and obedience to the LORD was more important than life itself.

Notice in Daniel 3:16-18 Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego did not know if God would rescue them from the furnace. They had not received such a promise. Their faith trusted that God would do what was right in this situation. Their job was to be loyal and obedient, knowing that their loving God would do what was best for his purpose.

Conversation Starter:

• What idols in your culture try to declare themselves more supreme than God?

Divine Rescue (Daniel 3:24-30)

The faithful God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego stood beside them in the flames and rescued them from the condemnation of Nebuchadnezzar. God used the obedience of these men to bring glory to himself and to declare his name before the nation of Babylon.

Conversation Starters:

• Why do you think God didn’t even allow the smoke to penetrate their clothing?
• From what flames did God rescue you?
• How did Christ’s obedience glorify God’s name?

Digging Deeper

The Seeds of Faith resource provides Law and Gospel points and application questions. 

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OT3 11B

Daniel and Belshazzar— Daniel 5:1-30

Context

It has been about fifty years since the Israelites were taken into captivity by Nebuchadnezzar. God allowed this king great success, power, and accomplishment. Yet, Nebuchadnezzar was arrogant and refused to give credit to God. Therefore, God humbled him until Nebuchadnezzar acknowledged God’s sovereignty over all. 

Belshazzar, most likely the grandson of Nebuchadnezzar, is the new king of Babylon. 

Big Ideas

The Feast (Daniel 5:1-5)

Although the Medo-Persian army is camped outside of the city walls about to conquer Babylon, Belshazzar hosts a great feast for thousands of his nobles. During this feast, he worships a variety of idols, and he foolishly decides to mock the real God who had previously humbled the great King Nebuchadnezzar.

King Solomon had dedicated the very cups he used for the purpose of making God’s name known even among foreigners (1 Kings 8:43). The LORD chose this moment to send his terrifying message.

Conversation Starters:

• Why do you think Belshazzar hosted such a banquet when surrounded by his enemies?
• Why do you think God chose this moment to send his message?

The Writing on the Wall (Daniel 5:5-17)

The writing on the wall sent the king and his party into confusion and panic. The divine but uninterpretable message caused Belshazzar to eventually find Daniel, the servant of the God he had mocked.

First, Daniel explained that Belshazzar was without excuse. Even though Belshazzar knew how God humbled Nebuchadnezzar, he still proudly refused to honor God. On the scale of God’s judgment, Belshazzar did not measure up.

Picture being weighed on a balance scale with God’s law on one side. Only perfection will stabilize the teetering bar.  Knowing how far from perfect we are, we find ourselves deserving judgment, just like Belshazzar. Thankfully, there is a substitute to take our place on the scale!

Conversation Starters:

• Who has taken our place on God’s balance scale?
• How does he measure up against the law?

Daniel’s Message (Daniel 5:18-28)

Daniel, who was now around eighty, had seen his own people ruined because of their idolatry. Now Babylon would suffer the same fate. Daniel had been given the difficult job of proclaiming God’s judgment and destruction.

Conversation Starters:

• In this case, Daniel’s message is only about God’s law and judgment. How is our message to unbelievers different?
• Why does the gospel need to be accompanied by the law?

Digging Deeper