September 26, 2021
Daniel 3:8-18
8 For this reason at that time certain Chaldeans came forward and [j]brought charges against the Jews. 9 They began to speak and said to Nebuchadnezzar the king: “O king, live forever! 10 You, O king, have made a decree that every person who hears the sound of the horn, flute, [k]lyre, trigon, psaltery, and bagpipe, and all kinds of musical instruments, is to fall down and worship the golden statue. 11 But whoever does not fall down and worship shall be thrown into the middle of a furnace of blazing fire. 12 There are certain Jews whom you have appointed over the administration of the province of Babylon, namely Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego. These men, O king, have disregarded you; they do not serve your gods, nor do they worship the golden statue which you have set up.”
13 Then Nebuchadnezzar in rage and anger gave orders to bring Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego; then these men were brought before the king. 14 Nebuchadnezzar began speaking and said to them, “Is it true, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego, that you do not serve my gods, nor worship the golden statue that I have set up? 15 Now if you are ready, at the moment you hear the sound of the horn, flute, [l]lyre, trigon, psaltery and bagpipe, and all kinds of musical instruments, to fall down and worship the statue that I have made, very well. But if you do not worship, you will [m]immediately be thrown into the midst of a furnace of blazing fire; and what god is there who can rescue you from my hands?”
16 Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego replied to the king, “Nebuchadnezzar, we are not in need of an answer to give you concerning this matter. 17 If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to rescue us from the furnace of blazing fire; [n]and He will rescue us from your hand, O king. 18 But even if He does not, let it be known to you, O king, that we are not going to serve your gods nor worship the golden statue that you have set up.”
Exodus 14:13-18
13 But Moses said to the people, “Do not fear! Stand by and see the salvation of the Lord, which He will perform for you today; for the Egyptians whom you have seen today, you will never see them again, ever. 14 The Lord will fight for you, while you keep silent.”
15 Then the Lord said to Moses, “Why are you crying out to Me? Tell the sons of Israel to go forward. 16 As for you, lift up your staff and reach out with your hand over the sea and divide it, and the sons of Israel shall [i]go through the midst of the sea on dry land. 17 And as for Me, behold, I will [j]harden the hearts of the Egyptians so that they will go in after them; and I will be honored through Pharaoh and all his army, through his chariots and his horsemen. 18 Then the Egyptians will know that I am the Lord, when I am honored through Pharaoh, through his chariots, and through his horsemen.”
Read Daniel 3:8-12
Discuss the context and background of this passage. Refer to vv. 1-7 if needed.
What is the specific accusation that is raised against the three young men? On what basis was the accusation made? What evidence would somebody offer if they were to make the same accusation against you?
Read Daniel 3:13-15
Can you tell us about a time when you faced an unmistakably direct challenge to either compromise who you are as a follower of Jesus or else face the consequences? How did you respond?
Imagine yourself in their sandals. Without knowing anything about how the next several verses will play out, what thoughts would be running through your head at this point in the story?
Read Daniel 3:16-18
Discuss how the basic structure of their response is applicable today:
Our God is able…
Our God will…
Even if He doesn’t…
Read Exodus 14:13-14
Discuss the context in this passage. What is the background?
What four commands are given to the people in verses 13-14.
Read Exodus 14:15-18
What are the implications of the fact that God says to Moses, “Why are you crying out to me?” What does God instruct him to do instead?
How many different miracles is God promising to the Israelites? What miracles are you asking God for in your life?