Daniel, Haniniah, Mishael, Azariah
Daniel 1:6-8 – Now among these were of the children of Judah, Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah:7 Unto whom the prince of the eunuchs gave names: for he gave unto Daniel the name of Belteshazzar; and to Hananiah, of Shadrach; and to Mishael, of Meshach; and to Azariah, of Abednego.8 But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king’s meat, nor with the wine which he drank: therefore he requested of the prince of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself.
A. They were asked to defile themselves but they kept on going anyway.
B. KEY THE DECISION TO DO RIGHT WAS MADE BEFORE THE TEMPTATION EVEN CAME.
C. They trusted the faith that they had. Daniel 1: 12 Prove thy servants, I beseech thee, ten days; and let them give us pulse to eat, and water to drink.
D. They were told to bow down to the image the King had made.
E. Others were jealous of them and plotted against them, but they kept on going anyway.
F. The three were threatened with fire, but they kept on going anyway.
RESULT: Daniel 3:25- 30 – He answered and said, Lo, I see four men loose, walking in the midst of the fire, and they have no hurt; and the form of the fourth is like the Son of God. 26 Then Nebuchadnezzar came near to the mouth of the burning fiery furnace, and spake, and said, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, ye servants of the most high God, come forth, and come hither. Then Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, came forth of the midst of the fire. 27 And the princes, governors, and captains, and the king’s counsellors, being gathered together, saw these men, upon whose bodies the fire had no power, nor was an hair of their head singed, neither were their coats changed, nor the smell of fire had passed on them.28 Then Nebuchadnezzar spake, and said, Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, who hath sent his angel, and delivered his servants that trusted in him, and have changed the king’s word, and yielded their bodies, that they might not serve nor worship any god, except their own God.29 Therefore I make a decree, That every people, nation, and language, which speak any thing amiss against the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, shall be cut in pieces, and their houses shall be made a dunghill: because there is no other God that can deliver after this sort.30 Then the king promoted Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, in the province of Babylon.
- God was with them in the fire, He did not keep them from the fire.
- The king recognized that God was with them.
- The king declared that all the people should worship the God of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego.
- Those who rose up against them would be destroyed. Not only them but all they had.
- BE CAREFUL WHAT YOU SPEAK, WRITE OR DO TO OTHER BELIEVERS WHO ARE HOLDING TO SOLID BIBLICAL TRUTHS.
G. They were thrown into the fire but they just kept on going.
H. Daniel was threatened with the lions because he prayed, but he just kept on going. – Daniel 6: 10 Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went into his house; and his windows being open in his chamber toward Jerusalem, he kneeled upon his knees three times a day, and prayed, and gave thanks before his God, as he did aforetime.
- Those who plotted against Daniel knew that He would not conform to the image of the world.
- Daniel was open with his faith regardless of the consequences.
- DANIEL DID NOT CHANGE EVEN IF IT MEANT HIS LIFE.
Daniel walked in the midst of the lions, but kept on going anyway.
- God delivered him even as the king stated He would – Daniel 6:16 Then the king commanded, and they brought Daniel, and cast him into the den of lions. Now the king spake and said unto Daniel, Thy God whom thou servest continually, he will deliver thee.
- Because of Daniels past testimony even the king knew.
- Daniel was relaxed in the midst of what was usually instant death –
Daniel 6:18-22 – Then the king went to his palace, and passed the night fasting: neither were instruments of musick brought before him: and his sleep went from him.19 Then the king arose very early in the morning, and went in haste unto the den of lions.20 And when he came to the den, he cried with a lamentable voice unto Daniel: and the king spake and said to Daniel, O Daniel, servant of the living God, is thy God, whom thou servest continually, able to deliver thee from the lions?21 Then said Daniel unto the king, O king, live for ever.22 My God hath sent his angel, and hath shut the lions’ mouths, that they have not hurt me: forasmuch as before him innocency was found in me; and also before thee, O king, have I done no hurt.
- Daniel knew he had only done that which was right.
- Those who accused him we were destroyed along with their families,
Daniel 6: 24 And the king commanded, and they brought those men which had accused Daniel, and they cast them into the den of lions, them, their children, and their wives; and the lions had the mastery of them, and brake all their bones in pieces or ever they came at the bottom of the den.
MORAL: IT DOES MATTER WHAT YOU TEACH YOUR CHILDREN. DON’T TEACH THEM HOW TO MAKE A LIVING, TEACH THEM HOW TO LIVE.
I Peter 4:12-16 – Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: 13 But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy. 14 If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified.15 But let none of you suffer as a murderer, or as a thief, or as an evildoer, or as a busybody in other men’s matters.16 Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf.
