Four young men, Hananiah, Mishael, Azariah, and Daniel, were among the Hebrews captured and hauled off to Babylon.
King Nebuchadnezzar changed their names to Shadrach, Meshach, Abednego, and Belteshazzar as if to erase their old life, attempting to rebrand them to match their new surroundings. Perhaps it was an effort to reinforce the idea that their past was over and who they were in Israel meant nothing now, or so the Babylonians presumed.
It didn’t matter what their captors called them and/or demanded from them. It didn’t change their beliefs in God, and in time it showed. They weren’t liked, appreciated, or understood. They garnered numerous enemies, and much was done against the young men to destroy them. But God said no.
Yes, He allowed their enemies to threaten them with certain death several times. These young men weren’t afraid because their faith in God was rock solid. Whatever they faced, one thing they knew was that their God was the true and living God. They weren’t moved by the threats/attempts to take their lives.
As saints, we are attacked by the same devil that worked back then. We thrive despite toxic environments and destructive arenas. We willingly serve God in an ungodly world! Changing the rules won’t change a saint, and eventually, God will allow circumstances to bring to light who we really are. People may try to diminish who you are by changing your name, but it doesn’t change who God calls you.
All the processes against the young men were designed to turn them away from what they believed. When all of the antics were over, it was well-known and documented that they were servants of The most high God! There was no doubting who they were and where they came from. Yes, they were intelligent, excelled in the sciences, etc. Still, they knew who they really were, children of God tucked among nonbelievers.
Nothing changed what they knew – He was with them just as He’d been with them in the past. A forced location change, name changes, devious plans, death threats, and even being bound and thrown into certain death situations didn’t change their hearts, minds, or attitudes. The enemy quickly found out God hadn’t left them either.
I’m so glad Jesus is with us whether we’re facing situations earmarked for destruction or we’re in the fiery furnace of life that should kill us! Our lives tell the story that He is more than able to keep us regardless of who, what, when, where, how, or why!
8 Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever. Hebrews 13:8 (KJV)
Now among these were of the children of Judah, Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah:7 Unto whom the prince of the eunuchs gave names: for he gave unto Daniel the name of Belteshazzar; and to Hananiah, of Shadrach; and to Mishael, of Meshach; and to Azariah, of Abednego. Daniel 1:6-7 (KJV)
13 And the decree went forth that the wise men should be slain; and they sought Daniel and his fellows to be slain.
14 Then Daniel answered with counsel and wisdom to Arioch the captain of the king’s guard, which was gone forth to slay the wise men of Babylon:
15 He answered and said to Arioch the king’s captain, Why is the decree so hasty from the king? Then Arioch made the thing known to Daniel.16 Then Daniel went in, and desired of the king that he would give him time, and that he would shew the king the interpretation.17 Then Daniel went to his house, and made the thing known to Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, his companions:18 That they would desire mercies of the God of heaven concerning this secret; that Daniel and his fellows should not perish with the rest of the wise men of Babylon.19 Then was the secret revealed unto Daniel in a night vision. Then Daniel blessed the God of heaven. Daniel 2:15-19 (KJV)
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 Abednego; these men, O king, have not regarded thee: they serve not thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up.13 Then Nebuchadnezzar in his rage and fury commanded to bring Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. Then they brought these men before the king.14 Nebuchadnezzar spake and said unto them, Is it true, O Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, do not ye serve my gods, nor worship the golden image which I have set up?15 Now if ye be ready that at what time ye hear the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, and dulcimer, and all kinds of musick, ye fall down and worship the image which I have made; well: but if ye worship not, ye shall be cast the same hour into the midst of a burning fiery furnace; and who is that God that shall deliver you out of my hands?16 Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, answered and said to the king, O Nebuchadnezzar, we are not careful to answer thee in this matter.17 If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of thine hand, O king.18 But if not, be it known unto thee, O king, that we will not serve 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 Abednego: 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 Abednego, 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 flames of the fire slew those men that took up Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego.23 And these three men, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, fell down bound into the midst of the burning fiery furnace.24 Then Nebuchadnezzar the king was astonished, 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 Abednego, ye servants of the most high God, come forth, and come hither. Then Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, 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. Daniel 3:10-27 (KJV)
In the Master’s Service,
Author/Pastor Michele D Robertson
28 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.
Matthew 11:28-29 (KJV)