Daniel 3:1-30

After having an interesting thought the other day I decided to read the story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego (Rack, Shack, and Benny to the VegiTale’ers out there). As I read it a couple things stood out to me. First was verse 3:18 where the three replied to the King that they have faith that God will save them, but even if he doesn’t they still won’t worship his golden idol. The other thing I found interesting is the soldiers that carried them up to the furnace we’re killed by the heat and the there martyrs feel in (3:22).

I think the secret to the story is the second point. The fire was so hot that it killed the guards, but these there guys, bound strongly by ropes, were presumably still alive when they fell in the furnace. That all happens before the mysterious forth man (3:25) was seen in the fire. Now, it has been suggested that the forth man could have been an angel, or Jesus, or God himself. I’m not sure that’s really important, one way or another it’s a part of God that is saving them. What I think is really important is that before anyone can see God he is already protecting them. After all, isn’t this how God interacts with us? For most all of us God remains unseen yet he is definitely active in our lives.

The interesting thought I had that caused me to read this had more to do with verse 3:18. Do you think the story would have been as powerful if the forth man hadn’t appeared and the three just walked out? Or, taking it a step farther, what if they had died in the furnace, or better yet, up above with the guards?

I think the heart of the story, about the strength of these three’s faith, would still be intact. But, would we find it as uplifting? Like David in the lions den, do we need the hero to live for us to get the point that it doesn’t matter if he dose or not? I’m not sure, but it is an interesting question.