Revision as of 17:47, 18 December 2023

Theological Proposition/Focus: God alone deserves our worship and He alone can protect those who worship Him.

Homiletical Proposition/Application: Determine to worship God alone regardless of the cost.

Introduction:

Image:

Setting the Stage:

In Daniel chapter 2 we learned about Nebuchadnezzar's dream. We saw that God is sovereign and has a master plan. We also saw that while Nebuchadnezzar was an important historical figure and even represented by the head of gold, he was not the most important figure in history. In fact, the most important figure was still to come and would be represented by a stone which destroyed the image from Nebuchadnezzar's dream. So, what is someone to do with this type of information? Well, Nebuchadnezzar, it seems decided to erect a Gian statue to memorialize his dream. Okay, I will admit I cannot say for sure this is why Nebuchadnezzar built the statue, but it seems like it might be the case and as we will see, just like you might expect, from our friend Nebuchadnezzar, he worships the wrong thing.

The reminder today is a reminder that our devotion must always be to God. In my mind, Nebuchadnezzar and the Babylonian royalty are the perfect example of what not to do. Time and time again we can see that faithfulness to God is well worth it.

Preview: Today we will see that devotion to God stands out, demands our submission, and is contagious. When we devote ourselves completely to God others cannot help but follow suit.

Let's begin by reading verses 1-15 of Daniel chapter 3.

King Nebuchadnezzar made an image of gold, sixty cubits high and six cubits wide, and set it up on the plain of Dura in the province of Babylon. 2 He then summoned the satraps, prefects, governors, advisers, treasurers, judges, magistrates and all the other provincial officials to come to the dedication of the image he had set up. 3 So the satraps, prefects, governors, advisers, treasurers, judges, magistrates and all the other provincial officials assembled for the dedication of the image that King Nebuchadnezzar had set up, and they stood before it.

4 Then the herald loudly proclaimed, “Nations and peoples of every language, this is what you are commanded to do: 5 As soon as you hear the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, pipe and all kinds of music, you must fall down and worship the image of gold that King Nebuchadnezzar has set up. 6 Whoever does not fall down and worship will immediately be thrown into a blazing furnace.”

7 Therefore, as soon as they heard the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp and all kinds of music, all the nations and peoples of every language fell down and worshiped the image of gold that King Nebuchadnezzar had set up.

8 At this time some astrologers came forward and denounced the Jews. 9 They said to King Nebuchadnezzar, “May the king live forever! 10 Your Majesty has issued a decree that everyone who hears the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, pipe and all kinds of music must fall down and worship the image of gold, 11 and that whoever does not fall down and worship will be thrown into a blazing furnace. 12 But there are some Jews whom you have set over the affairs of the province of Babylon—Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego—who pay no attention to you, Your Majesty. They neither serve your gods nor worship the image of gold you have set up.”

13 Furious with rage, Nebuchadnezzar summoned Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego. So these men were brought before the king, 14 and Nebuchadnezzar said to them, “Is it true, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, that you do not serve my gods or worship the image of gold I have set up? 15 Now when you hear the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, pipe and all kinds of music, if you are ready to fall down and worship the image I made, very good. But if you do not worship it, you will be thrown immediately into a blazing furnace. Then what god will be able to rescue you from my hand?”

Body

My first point from this text is that

Devotion to God stands out (1-15)

We all know that God is worthy of our worship. However, that does not mean there are not other opportunities to worship idols. You see,

God alone is worthy of worship but opportunities to idolatry abound (1-7).

Look at verse 1 and the description of this image that Nebuchadnezzar built. The image is 90 feet tall, made of gold, and 9 feet wide. This thing is huge and impressive. The dimensions are a little weird, but perhaps it was jut an elongated human or even some sort of obelisk like the Egyptians would use. The Aramaic word (Daniel 3:1-30 is written in Aramaic) צְלֵ֣ם (ṣelēm) is general enough that it could be an obelisk. Regardless, the image would have looked awesome standing as tall as an eight story building. Moreover, by placing the image on a plain the height would have been even more impressive. As a side note, Archeologists have uncovered a large square made of brick six miles southwest of Babylon, perhaps this was the location. Beyond the sheer size of the image, Nebuchadnezzar used it to rally together the empire. Satraps are chief representatives of the king, prefects are military commanders, governs are civil administrators and the list goes on. Anybody who is somebody was present. The empire has been brought together, the king is calling for unity and the call for loyalty is made. I can imagine the fervor, the excitement, the moment. If there was a time to follow the crowd this was it! Then as if that is not enough, Nebuchadnezzar incentivizes the act. If you don't worship then you are against us and the consequence is death, so get with it! What I hope that you see is just how easy it would be to fall into idolatry here. Everyone is doing it, likely it is being done out of national pride, and the object is itself very impressive. Also, just to help motivate you we will include some moving music. You know something to get your emotions going. Really all that was happening was that “In demanding that these officials fall down before the image of gold … Nebuchadnezzar was demanding a public display of recognition and submission to his absolute authority in the kingdom.” ^[1]

Hindsight is 20/20 and we look back on this story from outside the moment and quickly see the idolatry. However, I think we need to take this and look more critically in our own life. Are we bowing down to the idols of sports? What about the idol of materialism? What about the idol of nationalism? What about the idol of personal time? What about the idol of self-image?

Well, the narrative unfolds and Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego make the choice not to participate. This choice, the right choice, meets resistance. Well, more than resistance, it is met with outright opposition. The word used here for denounced is a very strong word that means to pinch off, like pinching off some dough, to sever, tear in pieces. We must realize that

God alone is worthy of worship and this fact is upsetting to some (8-12).

These astrologers who come forward sound to me like they are jealous. King, there are some guys that you made important that are not following your directions! Actually, they don't even pay attention to you. They don't serve your gods king, they are not worshipping your image. Didn't you say that they will die?

In the world there are those who will respond very negatively to the fact that we worship the one true God. The person who follows Christ will find times they don't fit in and not fitting in will lead some to treat you very negatively.

Some respond by being upset and some just don't get it. Why don't you just fall in like everyone else? Why not just bow down, it doesn't cost you a thing! The fact is that

God alone is worthy of worship and some will not understand (13-15).

Nebuchadnezzar is furious in verse 13. He has been embarrassed in front of the kingdom. But at the same time, he seems to calm down really fast. I personally find the entire interaction in verses 13-15 to be hilarious. Nebuchadnezzar is furious, calms down and I can almost picture him calmly asking, is it true? Surely not, no one would be so foolish. Okay, you must be confused so let me spell this out to you.

The end of verse 15 is telling, "what god will be able to rescue you from my hand?" Nebuchadnezzar has now finally revealed his true perspective. Guys get in line and do what I told you, don't you realize that I am over everything including the gods. Really, what Nebuchadnezzar has done is challenge any god to a battle. Nebuchadnezzar clearly does not understand.

MTR: Evaluate your life and ask if there are any idols that you have been tempted or pressured into worshiping.

Devotion to God demands submission (16-23).

Those who are devoted to God submit to God's protection (16-17).

Those who are devoted to God accept God's decision (18).

Those who are devoted to God may face harsh opposition (19-23).

Image: Fighting cancer and saying one way or another God is going to cure this cancer.

Over the summer the deacons, Pastor David, and I had the opportunity to pray with Bruce Tucker about his cancer. As we met, before we started to pray Bruce told us "I know that God is going to heal me, either he will heal me here or he will heal me in Heaven but either way he is going to heal me." This is what it looks like to submit to God in devotion. We go to God, we make our requests, and then we boldly proclaim that no matter what transpires we are in complete and total submission to God.

MTR: Look at your life and identify areas where God is calling you to submit as you bring your requests before God.

Devotion to God is contagious (24-30).

God will never leave the side of his devotees (24-25).

God will receive glory through his devotees (26-30).

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MTR: Be on the lookout for God by your side and make sure to point Him out to others.

1. ↑ J. Dwight Pentecost, “Daniel,” in The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures, ed. J. F. Walvoord and R. B. Zuck, vol. 1 (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1985), 1338.