Animals, Colors, Metals, Numbers and Signs in Scripture.

At first this may not seem like a sign, but just a great example of faith and miracle of deliverance to the three Hebrews. However, a closer look reveals that this is indeed a sign given to us by God.

In the book of Daniel we read of some of the children of Israel who were carried captive into Babylon in the reign of the Babylonian king Nebuchadnezzar. Among the captives were three Hebrews named Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah. The three had their names changed to Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego by the prince of the eunuchs. Subsequently they were promoted to positions in the Babylonian government.

There came a day in which the King Nebuchadnezzar had an image erected and held a public ceremony to honor the image that the king had erected. There went out a decree from the king that everyone was to fall down and worship the image when the music played. These three Hebrew children refused to do so and were brought before the king for disobeying the king's commandment.

The king gave them another chance and said unto them in Dan. 3:13 "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 music, 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?"

In faithfulness to their God, the three Hebrews answered: Dan. 3:16 "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." Then the king had the fiery furnace heated seven times hotter than it was want and he had the three Hebrews bound in their clothes and coats and the strongest men in his army to cast the three Hebrews into the midst of the furnace. The things that happened next actually happened, but they are also a sign unto us. We will compare what happened to the three Hebrews with our state or condition before our King Jesus:

1. The three Hebrews disobeyed the wicked king's commandments and were thus faithful to their King. In contrast, we have all disobeyed our King's commandments and are worthy of being cast into the fire of God's judgment and destroyed.
2. The penalty for disobeying king Nebuchadnezzar's commandment was to be cast into the fiery furnace. The penalty for disobeying our God's commandments is to suffer the fiery judgment of God forever.
3. The men who cast the three Hebrews into the furnace were themselves consumed by the flames. Likewise, the accuser of the brethren (Satan) and his angels are consumed by the flames of God's judgment in Rev. 20:10 "And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever."
4. There was a fourth in the midst of the flames and he was like unto the Son of God. Likewise, when it comes to our judgment for sin, the Lord is in the midst of the flames to deliver us from the flames.
5. The three Hebrews had neither the smell of smoke upon their garments, nor had the flames singed even one of their hairs. Further, they were loosed from the garments that bound them. Likewise, we are not harmed in any way from the fiery judgment of sin, because Jesus suffered in our room and stead. Further, we have been loosed from the wicked works that bound us.
6. King Nebuchadnezzar said to the three Hebrews to "come forth and come hither." Likewise, our King will one day come and command that we come forth and come hither.
7. The three Hebrews were delivered out of King Nebuchadnezzar's hand and delivered into God's hand. Likewise, we through the atoning blood of Christ are delivered out of Satan's hand and delivered into the faithful hands of our Lord Jesus Christ.