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Daniel Chapter Three
Below are your questions for our Bible study of Daniel chapter three.
In our Bible study of chapter two, we discussed how the chapter portrayed the sovereignty of God. No man, magician, astrologer, soothsayer, enchanter, snake charmer, or wise man can predict the future. Only God Almighty knows all things — both the things of the past and future — such as a dream someone may have had. And only God really knows the interpretation of dreams and their possible impact on one’s future. As Daniel said, God is the revealer of the deep and hidden things, and he knows what’s in the darkness.
We observed Daniel’s situation and his responses were much like Joseph’s. We also studied the character of Daniel. We observed that he acted with tact and discretion, that he sought the favor and mercy of God, and asked his friends to join him in doing so. When God granted his petition, Daniel offers him praise and gave God all the credit for his ability to solve the mystery of the king’s dream. We also noted how Daniel looked out for the welfare of others — specifically the other wise men and his friends Shadrach, Meshack, and Abednego.
Lastly, one of the observations from our last Bible study was that if we want to interpret the meaning of our dreams today, we can ask God to show us the meaning. However, we cannot accept any interpretation as being from God if it contradicts his Holy Word. God cannot contradict himself, so we cannot assume a dream will. But we can always trust the Bible.
Imagine the scene portrayed in Daniel Chapter three.
Here you have a colossal statue as tall as a nine-story building - a glimmering gold statue in the sun. Hundreds of people were likely there before the king to marvel at this magnificent statue.
Off to the side, a furnace used to smelt the gold, and likely to fire the bricks to make the base of the statue, is there with dark smoke billowing into the sky with an occasional flare up of flames shooting from the furnace.
Then, after all had been assembled as ordered to appear before this colossal statue, they are told to be quiet and listen as a herald explains the choice before them. It must've been quite a dazzling but scary spectacle!
Day One
1. What is it about chapter three that seems to be derived from chapter two? Is there a possible connection? If so, what might that be?
2. The king doesn’t mention God at all when everybody is gathered to see the statue.
In chapter two the king didn’t worship God when his dream was revealed, instead he worships Daniel. And here in chapter three nobody is worshipping God.
But what is it specifically about the worship the king calls for in chapter three that seems inauthentic, that seems illegitimate? What’s wrong with it?
". . . there is no other god who is able to deliver like this."
Daniel 3:29
2020. Christian Standard Bible. Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.
Day Two
1. Who is it that’s missing in chapter three, and why might this be surprising?
2. Based on what you’ve learned about Daniel, is it possible that he simply bowed and worshipped the statue? Why or why not?
3. What are the three accusations of the Chaldeans bring against Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego?
Day Three
1. In verse 15, the king asks Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego “who is the god who will rescue from my power?”, but they don’t actually answer his question.
Instead, they offer the king two conditional statements. What are these two statements? Specifically, what are the “if” and “then” components?
2. So what are Shadraach, Meshach, and Abednego saying about their God? Also, what does their explanation to the king say about their faith in their God?
Day Four
1. How long it took them to heat the furnace seven times hotter than normal we aren’t told, but what must Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego have been doing while this was happening?
2. How might the lives of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego been changed by the experience of God rescuing them? How are the lives of modern day Christians like Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego?
Day Five
1. Does anything surprise you about this story? Is there anything remarkable in it? What about it seems strange to you?
2. Has there been a time in your life when your life was in mortal danger? Can you share about a time in your life when you had no other option but to ask God to save you from imminent danger?
Also, how can this story help missionaries who risk their lives for the sake of the gospel?
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