Deeper ReflectionWhen given the chance to change their mind on refusing to
worship Nebuchadnezzar’s golden statue and escape the
blazing furnace, the immediate reply of Shadrach, Mishael and
Abednego was, “We
have no need to answer you in this matter” (v.16).
They were all ready to be burned for their faithfulness to God. There was
no “Let me think about it.” No “Should I or should I not?” No “Worth it or
not?” Their answer reflects their deep conviction and firm commitment to
God. This is the character of those who know their God.The Book of Daniel was an anchor for the faithful Jews who were severely
persecuted by Antiochus IV Epiphanes during the Maccabean revolt
against the Greeks (168-143 B.C.). Certainly, the steadfast faithfulness of
Shadrach, Mishael and Abednego was a model and inspiration to the Jews
who “by faith…were tortured, not accepting their release” (Heb 11:33a, 35).
35
When given the opportunity to be freed from torture if they compromised
their faith, they rejected it.2 Maccabees 7
36 tells the story of the martyrdom of a mother and her
seven sons. They were “compelled by the king under torture with whips
and thongs, to partake unlawful swine’s flesh”
37 (cf. Lev 11:4, 7). But they
remained faithful to God: “We are ready to die rather than transgress the
laws of our ancestors.”
38 One of the sons had his tongue, hands and feet
cut off, and was fried alive in a heated pan.
39 But “the brothers and their
mother encouraged one another to die nobly”, fully assured that “The
Lord God is watching over us”
40 .
34 Revelation 2:10
35 Peter T. O’Brien, The Letter to the Hebrews, The Pillar New Testament Commentary (Eerdmans, 2010), 443
36 In the Apocrypha
37 2 Macc 7:1 (NRSV)
38 2 Macc 7:2 (NRSV)
39 2 Macc 7:3-5 (NRSV)
40 2 Macc 7:5-6 (NRSV)
