Bible Commentaries
Daniel 3

Verses 1-30

The next story is of the pride of Nebuchadnezzar in setting up in the plain of Dura a great golden image. This may have been connected with the interpretation of the dream Daniel had given. The head of gold in the image of Nebuchadnezzar's dream symbolized Babylon. Nebuchadnezzar's image was all of gold, and perhaps revealed his conception of the power of Babylon, and therefore was of the nature either of unbelief in the accuracy of the prediction or of rebellion against it. To this image he commanded all peoples to bow down in worship. This would also explain the attitude of the dauntless three who declined to bend their knee to the image. In the first place, it was an act of idolatry, and, moreover, such obeisance on their part might have been construed into a recognition of the continuity of the power of Babylon, of which the divine revelation to Daniel had predicted the downfall.

With splendid heroism they cast themselves on God, and were supernaturally delivered from the fierce fire of the furnace, the king seeing One so glorious in mien with them in the fire, that even he described Him as being "like a son of the gods." This deliverance more deeply impressed Nebuchadnezzar, and he decreed that no word should be spoken against the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, and promoted them in the province of Babylon.