I am quite sure Daniel did NOT worship the golden image, for from the very beginning of
Daniel’s sojourn in Babylon he “purposed in his heart” that he would not be defiled in the pagan land
(Daniel 1:8). He boldly served the Lord and kept himself from the defilements of this wicked and
idolatrous city. Consider the following, which took place AFTER the persecutions of his three friends
(Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego):

*In Daniel 4 he interpreted another dream of King Nebuchadnezzar.
*In Daniel 5 he interpreted a strange writing on the wall.
*In Daniel 6 he too was persecuted and thrown into a den of lions.
*In Daniel 7-8 he was given visions of future events.
*In Daniel 9 he was given the marvelous prophecy of 70 WEEKS.
*In Daniel 10-11 he was given more visions concerning his people, Israel.

Because of these facts, it is inconceivable that Daniel bowed down to the golden image, for God would
not have used him in these ways had he done so. Daniel is one of the few people in Scripture where no
failures are recorded of him and thus we have every reason to believe that Daniel was faithful to the
very end.

So, where was Daniel when his 3 friends were thrown into the fiery furnace? We don’t know for sure,
but we may have a clue in Daniel 2:48-49 which reads, “Then the king promoted Daniel and gave him
many gifts; and he made him RULER over the whole province of Babylon, and CHIEF ADMINISTRATOR
over all the men of Babylon. Also, Daniel petitioned the king, and he set Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego over the affairs of the province of Babylon; but Daniel SAT IN THE GATE OF THE KING.” Because Daniel was given the highest position in Babylon, it’s possible: 1) He was out of the country serving as a diplomat, or 2) He was not required to bow down due to his exalted position, but Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were forced to because of their lower position under Daniel.

Some may be thinking, “Why would God allow Daniel to be exalted to such a high position in this wicked
city?” Ah, because God can and did use His godly servants to further His purposes in pagan lands. Joseph
became Pharaoh’s right-hand man in Egypt so he could help save the Israelites during the famine (see
Genesis chapters 39-45). Esther became the Queen of Persia and was used of the Lord to preserve the
Israelites from genocide (see Esther chapters 2-7). God is sovereign and, in His sovereignty, He is
glorified (and His people blessed) through such means. We may have never thought this possible, but
we need to remember the words of Isaiah 55:8-9 where God says, “’For My thoughts are not your
thoughts, Nor was your ways My ways,’ says the LORD. ‘For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So
are My ways higher than your ways, And My thoughts than your thoughts.’” (DO) (741.5)