When Nebuchadnezzar saw the fourth man in the furnace, he made a rather interesting statement, “…and the form of the fourth is like the son of the gods.” NOT “like the Son of God,” as it is rendered in many translations.
I cannot help but wonder how Nebuchadnezzar knew what a son of the gods would look like. I think the idea is simply that Nebuchadnezzar saw an angelic figure, a being he immediately recognized as being different than the others in appearance. Whether or not this was an angel or a theophonic manifestation is unclear and a matter of some disagreement among scholars. What is clear from the language is that Nebuchadnezzar did not recognize this fourth figure as the third member of the Triadic Unity. It is suggested by Dr. Fuller that Nebuchadnezzar was identifying the fourth person as the son of the Babylonian fire god Iz-bar – dā-mêh lə-ḇar- ’ĕ-lā-hîn.
From the Pulpit Commentary, “The suggestion of Dr. Fuller [is], that here in bar we have not the word for "son," but rather a truncated form of [the Babylonian] god of fire, Iz-bar….”
While I find this an intriguing possibility, I think we must recognize the fact that when Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego are released from the furnace, Nebuchadnezzar did not thank his god Iz-bar for their deliverance. Rather, he thanked the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego “who sent His angel and delivered His servants who trusted in Him, and they have frustrated the king’s word, and yielded their bodies, that they should not serve nor worship any god except their own God! Therefore, I make a decree that any people, nation, or language which speaks anything amiss against the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego shall be cut in pieces, and their houses shall be made an ash heap; because there is no other God who can deliver like this.’”
“Then the king promoted Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego in the province of Babylon.”
This reveals a huge difference between Nebuchadnezzar and Pharaoh. It also reveals a big difference between Nebuchadnezzar and the Pharisees of Jesus' day. Nebuchadnezzar was humble enough to acknowledge the reality, presence, and power of God when faced with such a miraculous demonstration. Pharaoh, on the other hand, refused to acknowledge God no matter what miracles he witnessed. The Pharisees refused to believe even after seeing Jesus raise someone from the dead.
The conversion of Nebuchadnezzar is an intriguing one. Earlier, in chapter 2, Nebuchadnezzar was forced to acknowledge that Daniel’s God is superior to other gods in wisdom and knowledge. Now, he is forced to acknowledge the power of the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego; and this was a God who was not represented by some image he could see or touch.
It is interesting that although Nebuchadnezzar decreed no one should speak a word against the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego, he does not decree a moratorium on idolatry. What he did accomplish in this decree was to ensure Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego's freedom to worship God without fear of reprisal from anyone. This protected them from any further persecution. More than that, he protected the integrity of the name of God, and this was a big deal. He intended to have anyone killed who dared to speak a word against the true God. He may not understand the God of the Israelites, but he will not have anyone speak against such a God who is powerful enough to deliver condemned men out of his hands. It will not be until chapter four however, that Nebuchadnezzar will come to acknowledge God as the only true and living God. At that point, Nebuchadnezzar seems to have been forever cured of his idolatry.
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