Preschool
We love him, because he first loved us. 1 John 4:19
We Will Not Bow Down to an Image
Memory Verses
Primary
We love him, because he first loved us. 1 John 4:19
Junior
A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. John 13:34
Background Scripture: Daniel 3
Lesson Scripture: Daniel 3:8-12, 19-28
Introduction
God created man to worship only Him. “I am the Lord: that is my name: and my glory will I not give to another, neither my praise to graven images” (Isa. 42:8). When Satan tempts us to worship the false images he offers, God gives grace to keep from yielding, and He blesses our faithful obedience. May this lesson help us renew our commitment to serve God alone.
Key Verse
Little children, keep yourselves from idols. Amen (1 John 5:21).
Lesson Scripture
Daniel 3:8 Wherefore at that time certain Chaldeans came near, and accused the Jews.
9 They spake and said to the king Nebuchadnezzar, O king, live for ever.
10 Thou, O king, hast made a decree, that every man that shall hear the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, and dulcimer, and all kinds of musick, shall fall down and worship the golden image:
11 And whoso falleth not down and worshippeth, that he should be cast into the midst of a burning fiery furnace.
12 There are certain Jews whom thou hast set over the affairs of the province of Babylon, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego; these men, O king, have not regarded thee: they serve not thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up.
19 Then was Nebuchadnezzar full of fury, and the form of his visage was changed against Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego: therefore he spake, and commanded that they should heat the furnace one seven times more than it was wont to be heated.
20 And he commanded the most mighty men that were in his army to bind Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego, and to cast them into the burning fiery furnace.
21 Then these men were bound in their coats, their hosen, and their hats, and their other garments, and were cast into the midst of the burning fiery furnace.
22 Therefore because the king’s commandment was urgent, and the furnace exceeding hot, the flame of the fire slew those men that took up Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego.
23 And these three men, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego, fell down bound into the midst of the burning fiery furnace.
24 Then Nebuchadnezzar the king was astonied, and rose up in haste, and spake, and said unto his counsellors, Did not we cast three men bound into the midst of the fire? They answered and said unto the king, True, O king.
25 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 Abed-nego, ye servants of the most high God, come forth, and come hither. Then Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego, 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 Abed-nego, 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.
Studying the Lesson
The book of Daniel highlights the sovereignty of God and his preeminent rule in the affairs of man. After Solomon’s reign, the children of Israel drifted from God into idolatry. During the reign of Judah’s King Jehoiakim, Babylonian King Nebuchadnezzar conquered Jerusalem. He carried young Hebrews who proved wise, flawless, skillful, and strong to Babylon. Daniel and his three friends were among this group of exiles. Their faithfulness in an idol-worshipping empire repeatedly proved God’s power.
These four young Hebrews established an unwavering commitment to serve God, regardless of the outcome, when they refused the king’s meat and wine, knowing it ran counter to their religious law. The positive results of eating their simple fare brought glory to God and the admiration of the king. This experience doubtlessly established their faith, preparing them to face the fiery furnace. Faith in God’s keeping power is tested when the outcome in a situation is uncertain.
Nebuchadnezzar, troubled by a disturbing dream he could not remember, found no help among his Chaldean wise men. God displayed his omniscience through Daniel, giving him the dream and its interpretation. The dream revealed Nebuchadnezzar to be the head of gold. This so impressed the king that he promoted Daniel and stated, “Your God is a God of gods, and a Lord of kings” (Dan. 2:47).
Our lesson’s background scripture begins with Nebuchadnezzar building an enormous golden image. The Bible does not reveal whether this figure represented a heathen god or the king himself. Perhaps his dream fanned a desire to erect an object of worship to reinforce his power, prestige, and influence. The Hebrews knew without a doubt it ran counter to the command, “Thou shalt have no other gods before me” (Exod. 20:3).
The dedication of this image was a major event. King Nebuchadnezzar understood the power of music to move the masses. An orchestra of diverse instruments playing to initiate the ceremony promised broad social appeal. Government officials and people of every nationality living in Babylon were required to show their allegiance. This grand mixture of culture, religion, and government left no one out. The king seized opportunity to glorify himself and consolidate his power as the head of gold. Everyone must bow.
However, three young men showed unwavering fidelity to their true head, Jehovah. They did not make a big show or try to hide, yet they understood the consequences. Failure to bow to the image meant the fiery furnace, and this was not an idle threat. When called before the emperor and given a second chance, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego restated their position. Yielding themselves to the will of God with no promise of survival testified to their firm commitment. Nebuchadnezzar’s challenge, “Who is that God that shall deliver you out of my hands?” (Dan. 3:15), was met with a dramatic display of divine power. Jehovah reigned supreme, and the Babylonian king acknowledged the sovereignty of God. He is the same God we serve today!
Practical Truths for Today
“We will not bow down to an image!”—clear, simple, and uncompromising. It rings with whole-hearted commitment to a sovereign God who will not share his glory with the counterfeit creations of man. It portrays living faith and determination to remain true regardless of the cost. When the gods of this world tempt us to give them allegiance, will we honestly make this declaration today?
A clouded vision of what it means to love God with heart, mind, soul, and strength may be one of the greatest perils we face. Nebuchadnezzar did not command the young Hebrews to stop serving Jehovah. He created an additional god for them to worship. Satan offers false gods and suggests we serve them and love God also. However, the Bible says we cannot do both, for “either [we] will hate the one, and love the other; or else [we] will hold to the one, and despise the other” (Matt. 6:24).
Keeping God first in our lives is the essence of true worship. Our devotion reflects what we think God is worth. Is He worth our time spent in prayer, Bible reading, and meditation? Is He worth the sacrificial giving needed to support the spread of the gospel? Is He worth our personal investment in bearing another’s burden? Is He worth more than the material wealth the world offers? When God no longer holds supreme value in our lives, something or someone else will fill that void.
With God in second place, Satan entices us to love the world. The false gods appeal to the lusts of the flesh. They offer a life of ease, popularity, and plenty of fun. They promise material security and a profession of Christianity without self-denial. These gods invite us to bow at their shrines, including stylish clothes, prestigious vehicles, and homes with costly decor. Idols of knowledge and influence appeal to our pride of life. In bowing to them, they soon occupy the throne of our hearts. We value our thoughts, knowledge, decisions, and conduct above that of others. We protect ourselves with false impressions and defend our position with a double standard. We become a god to ourselves. The gods of our own making will disappoint us, but the true God of Heaven never will.
To help identify the idols of today, honestly consider these questions:
What motivates me most? What are my hopes and dreams?
What promises to give my life meaning and value?
What is home base for my mind? What do I enjoy thinking about?
What do I talk about most?
What consumes most of my time, energy, and money?
What do I fear most or worry I may lose?
Bowing to idols transforms those who worship them into their likeness. “They have mouths, but they speak not: eyes have they, but they see not” (Ps. 115:5). “They that make them are like unto them; so is every one that trusteth in them” (v. 8). We reflect what we love. In dedicated service to the Lord, we reflect his image to the world. When bowing to the gods of this world, we mirror their likeness, whether material abundance, fashion, sports, entertainment, or lust.
Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego unwaveringly displayed their devotion to God. They stand as a shining example of commitment in youth. The Babylonians systematically tried to strip away their Hebrew identity. Babylonian names replaced their Hebrew names. They were taught the language and customs of a foreign land and immersed in its culture. In this setting they could have considered it unfeasible to keep Jehovah’s law. They could have thought, “We’re young with a brilliant future. Why spoil it by being offensive? Just once we will bow down and not really mean it in our hearts.” Instead, they purposed to be faithful.
Natural talent was not the basis for these Hebrews’ success. Social skill and native capability did not evoke God’s divine favor; He blessed them for their faithfulness. They were real people with hopes and dreams, trials and temptations. Our unchanging God offers us the same grace, the same power to overcome, the same support in time of trial, and the same promise of blessing for being faithful. Though we may not be promoted to stand in a king’s palace, we can serve in the courts of Christ’s kingdom here on earth.
God provides extraordinary blessings for ordinary Christians who purpose in their hearts to remain true to Him. When the music of the world signals to bow down, do not yield. When the prince of the power of the air pleads for worship, say no! When Satan trumpets his threats, do not listen.
It takes a firm commitment to not bow down to the idols of our day. A half-hearted attempt leaves us with failure and disappointment. Like these three Hebrews, we dwell in a foreign land awash in idolatry. But praise God who is well able to keep us from falling. “Wherefore, my dearly beloved, flee from idolatry” (1 Cor. 10:14).
Questions
- What weakens our resolve to keep God first?
- How might culture or heritage become an idol?
- Can we be influenced by the gods of this world yet not worship them?
- Discuss youth activities that encourage a strong Christian commitment.
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Source: COGICM Daily Bible Readings (Daily Bible Readings, PO Box 124, Glenn, CA 95943).