Nebuchadnezzar, the king of Babylon, set up an image that all the people at a set time were to fall down and worship. The penalty for failing to do so was to be thrown into a furnace of fire. However, three young men of the children of Israel, now renamed Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego did not fall down and worship the image. They were told by the king that if they worshipped at the next set time all would be well, if they didn’t, they would be thrown into a furnace of fire. They made clear they wouldn't do this because, in fact, it would be idolatry which was forbidden by God. They tell the king their God is able to deliver them from the furnace of fire but if He doesn’t, they wouldn't worship the image.
- What courage to disobey the command of the king, who God normally requires us to obey. However, if a king's command is contrary to the command of God, then we ought to obey God rather than men.
- What courage to disobey the king who had educated them and given them positions. We normally want to please and do what our families who love us want. Whenever family want us to do something or go somewhere contrary to God's commands, then we have to obey God and displease them.
- What courage not to do what everyone else was doing. It was wrong to idolatrously worship the image no matter if everyone else was doing it. It was right to not worship the image even if only a few were not doing this.
- What courage to go contrary to the command of the king, knowing if you did you would be thrown into a furnace of fire. No matter the cost to us personally we are always to obey God.