Daniel 3:13 - 18 Wisdom​: When to Choose Possibility, Pt 1
If our wise decisions are built on probability and not possibility, is it ever right to base a decision on possibility? The answer is a resounding yes! However, there is a certain criterion we can glean from the Bible to help us to understand when we should make that choice or decision on what is possible and not on what is probable.
Daniel: One of the few Bible books that takes place during a time of judgment. Daniel writes during the Babylonian exile where he and his three friends were part of the first of three deportations from Judah. Babylon is a very polytheistic society with Nebuchadnezzar as a deity King. It would be easy for them to fall into theological error being taken as young teens…
Wisdom is applied when: 1) You have at least two options, 2) You consider the options and either A) Do what is right for you, or B) Do what is right for God.
VS 13: Identifying our characters - Nebuchadnezzar, King of Baylon; Shadrack (Hananiah), Meshack (Mishael), Abednego (Azariah) the later 3 are Daniel’s companions from Judah who’ve had their names changed as part of an assimilation process to becoming Babylonian.
VS 14: The Refusal to Worship: When given a choice to worship HIS gods these 3 did not. Why would he expect them to? Let’s look at their decisions up to this point. See: Dan. 1:3 - 13 Nebuchadnezzar’s anger is also astonishment that the assimilation process didn’t take hold.
VS 15: The BIG Decision The probability they will be thrown into the fiery furnace is 99.99%.
Nebuchadnezzar’s argument:
1) The law of the land - His decree is binding on everyone regardless of belief.
2) The consequences of not following the law - Capital punishment by burning.
3) He gives a theological challenge - “who is the god who will deliver you from my hands”
VS 16 - 17: The Hebrews two options - No need to answer you. They are not going to “test” God and make a statement like, “The Lord will deliver us from the fire.”
Why not claim deliverance?
1) Because God never gave a direct or indirect command stating that obeying Him over obeying man would keep you physically safe. See Matt. 10:27 - 31
2) They didn’t claim deliverance from the fire, but they did claim deliverance from the King!! See verse 17 and verse 7
3) They don’t know how God will get the glory out of this situation. Example of Steven Acts 6-8
VS 18: Choosing the possibility over the probability
“If not” = if God won’t deliver us from the fire.
Possibility - when God’s written commandment is your guide.