Deeper Reflection
When 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 7³⁶ 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 .

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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)