April 13, 2008

Background Scripture: Daniel 3

Devotional Reading: Psalms 121

The Book of Daniel is composed of six stories and four dream-visions. Daniel 3 is the first of the six stories.

Although they are set in the time of the sixth century B.C. Babylonian captivity, the author is really writing about his own time, the second century B.C., during the brutal reign of Antiochus Epiphanes, the Hellenist (Greek) king. Perhaps about our times, too.

In this roundabout way, the writer is challenging his readers to resist the seductive Hellenist culture that is undermining the Jewish religion – those who are seduced by the superficial attractions of Greek culture, and also those intimidated by the ruthlessness of Hellenist power. The world of Daniel is a model for our own world today.

Nebuchadnezzar is a powerful man and his faith is in the threat of physical force: “You are commanded, O peoples, nations and languages that … you are to fall down and worship the golden image that King Nebuchadnezzar has set up, and whoever does not … shall immediately be cast into a burning, fiery furnace!” (Daniel 3:3).

A different way

Almost 200 years after the rule of the Hellenists, Jesus came offering and urging a strikingly different way to live in the world. He proclaimed the kingdom of God, a power not of physical force but spiritual persuasion.

Jesus blessed “the peacemakers” (Mt. 5:9) and condemned killing and the anger that engenders it (Mt. 5:21, 22), as well as the “eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth” mentality that leaves many blind and toothless (Mt. 5:38-42).

Yet, while billions of people have made Christianity the world’s most numerous faith, how many Christians have ever believed that the teachings of Christ are practical for life in this world? We spend our energy not in living them, but arguing about them.

In reality, many of us embrace not the way of Jesus, but the way of the world that still pretty much follows the eye-for-an-eye principle. Often it is fear of physical force, not respect for love that determines how and why we live. It is our culture that instructs us, not the gospel.

What Daniel admires in these martyrs is their attitude in the face of horrible deaths. Their God is able to deliver them, but if He does not, they will not change their faith to save their lives, just as many of us will not change our culture to save our souls.

“But if not, be it known to you, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the golden image which you have set up” (3:18). They will accept martyrdom rather than sink to apostasy.

‘Another’ with us

Let us be careful not to forget that life is full of consequences, even in spite of and because of faith. And we must not let this story beguile us into thinking that our loyalty to God will keep adversity and suffering away.

In this case and by some reason of providence known only to God, the three men were saved from a terrible death. But there have been innumerable saints who have paid terrible consequences for their faith.

When I am confronted by danger or some threatening situation, I always pray for God’s help. Sometimes I am spared that danger, while other times the answer to my prayer is the assurance that I will not be alone in my trial. My security is not in the certainty of escape, but in God’s presence to bring me through it with faith intact.

When Nebuchadnezzar looked at the fiery furnace his power had created, he was shocked: “But I see four men loose, walking in the midst of the fire, and they are not hurt; and the appearance of the fourth is like a son of the gods.”

The price of faith is an unswerving loyalty to God and coming with it is the assurance that in whatever circumstance we find ourselves, there is another to stand with us.

The views and opinions expressed in this column are those of the author and not necessarily those of Farm World. Readers with questions or comments for Rev. Althouse may write to him in care of this publication.