Daniel 3:1-18
Perhaps it may have been the recollection of his dream that incited Nebuchadnezzar to raise up the colossal golden statue in the plains of Dura! Whatever it was, this idolatrous act has a symbolic meaning. It shows what it is that rules man’s heart: 1. The statue is of gold: this metal is the object of universal veneration. 2. It is in the form of a man; man indeed has a tendency to worship himself and to put himself in God’s place. 3. Finally, it has a disturbing likeness to the image of the beast of apocalyptic times, for to this last beast also will everybody be constrained to pay homage on pain of death, and the faithful remnant of Israel will be put to a terrible trial on that account (Revelation 13:15 . . .). Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego represent this remnant. Will God intervene to deliver them? That is the king’s challenge! "We are not careful to answer thee in this matter," declare these young men (v. 16). "It is God who will answer you." The faith of the believer does not have to justify itself before the unconverted. The Lord’s approval is sufficient.
The present threatenings are no more effective in turning these three witnesses aside from the strict path of obedience to God than had been the tempting thought of delicate food. Having been faithful in that which was least (Daniel 1:1-21), they are now equally so in that which is great (Luke 16:10).