May 12, 2016: Song of the Three Children

I.  The Song of the Three Children

1. Between Chapter 3:23-24

2. 1 – 22 Prayer of Confession:  
    1-12 Praise God 
    13-21 Prayer of Confession

    22 -26 Description of Furnace & Angel

    27 – 67  Hymn of Praise

Notes:  Theme of Resistance

Daniel was written during a time of occupation. 

            (Greek – as a story it throws back to the Babylonian captivity.)

This part tells of unjust oppression that happens to people who are staying true to God.

Even though you are oppressed and given an unjust sentence the way to passively resist is to Praise God through singing.  Modern examples – Gandhi and Martin Luther King Civil Rights Marches 

The description of the furnace emphasizes the miracle and also is symbolic that the oppression of a people will ultimately cause the oppressors to be damaged.

The Hymn of praise is all inclusive.  It included all of nature and all the people of the earth.  Also God has authority over everything.  The structure implies that the three young men were taking turns lifting up a praise and then all of them would sing the refrain line.  This would be a very visual moment for the reader. 

Demonstration of burning the young men is a very “flashy symbol.”  Instead of just a simple execution they were sentenced to be burned to death.  This would also strike fear into the populous.

In order for the oppressor to succeed the oppressed must accept the subservient role.  Even passive resistance in faith is an act of resistance.  And one which God stands by.  Also when the rebel with the gun falls the resistance can still be kept alive with song and prayer.