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Daniel 3
Soon after God had given Nebuchadnezzar a dream about his kingdom and future Kingdoms, Nebu makes a very common mistake. Since he knew the dream was from the true God; and God had told him he was the head of gold and other kings that followed would not be as great as him; he thought everyone should honor him and his dream. So he built a 90 foot tall statue covered in gold ( or maybe even solid gold since he had taken the gold from the temple). BTW, 90 feet is about 9 stories tall. It was a tremendous undertaking to build this statue. The King did not want all of his work to be in vain.
But, of course his work was not all in vain. For what he intended for evil, God used for good. Almost everyone of this earth has heard of this miracle of God. It will reverberate throughout the heavens for all eternity.
Old Nebuchadnezzar is very heavily criticized by so many. But Nebu seen God Almighty with his own eyes. Who would not want to have the same happen to them.
Nebu then made another common mistake. He tried to force everyone to honor him and his statue and anyone who disagreed with him should die.
These men who came forward to speak against the Jews (who would not worship Nebu's statue) were simply jealous and also wanted to force everyone to worship the false idol that they decided to obey and worship. Instead of admiring the courage of these Jews, they instead wanted to force them to worship the idol that they had chose to worship. It is very common for men to want to force others to take part in their sin. But men share truth with joy, not anger.
This is a very common occurrence among men, even Christians. If a person worships an idol, or error of some kind they get very angry if someone does not worship their idol of choice. Instead of merely stating their case, or reasons they believe what they believe, they will bring pressure on those that do not agree with them.
Remember these astrologers of Babylon knew about Daniel telling the King what his dream was. God had demonstrated to them, that he was God, and even their King stated that was true.
Nebu had fallen into arrogance and idolatry. You can always tell when someone in taking part in idolatry. They always get very angry when anyone refuses to believe of worship their idol. The reason for this is the fact that they have put their trust in this mere idol; and anyone who refuses to worship it will destroy the very thing they trust in.
They get angry because deep down they do not have the Holy Spirit encouraging them to trust in the truth, but instead they know that their idol can not walk or talk or save. Since their idol can not protect itself, they must protect their idol.
The King will see what God can rescue them from his hand.
Now here we have the opposite example. Mere men are cowards. But The Holy Spirit pours courage into mere men when they trust in Him. These three had the example of God protecting them when they decided to eat like He commanded them, instead of eating the unclean food of the King.
They also had the miracle of God telling Daniel the King' dream and the interpretation.
God knew this test was coming to these three, so He prepared them for this test. God first caused the event about the food to take place. It was not life and death, but there was risk involved. They seen the hand of God rescue them.
God could have gave Nebu the dream and the interpretation of it. But God caused the King to issue the degree that his wise men would die if they could not tell him what his dream was.
The three seen the miracle that God brought about and instead of death, they were promoted instead. The faith that God had given them by grace caused them to say this:
17 If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to save us from it, and he will rescue us from your hand, O king
I have heard this story told so many times making the three Jews, the heroes. But they are NOT the heroes. The hero is God Almighty.
The king's anger had increased to rage. Jesus said: Rev 3
15 I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other!
16 So, because you are lukewarm--neither hot nor cold--I am about to spit you out of my mouth.
The King was NOT lukewarm.
Do you want to see Jesus face to face ? Then stand for His truth and when you are thrown into the furnace He will walk and talk with you as he did these three.
Nebu here is being inspired by The Holy Spirit to speak this. For no one can recognize the Son of God without the Holy Spirit revealing Him to them.
I testify to all of you that read this: every time I have been thrown into the furnace for trusting in Jesus, He appeared and walked and talked with me. Jesus never once sent a created angel that I am aware of, He always came to me Himself.
KJV -
He answered and said, Lo, I see four men loose, walking in the midst of the fire, and they have no hurt; and the form of the fourth is like the Son of God.
Many English translations say "Son of God"
Again the King redeems himself and repents in public and proclaims that the God, the three worship, is The Most High God. Nebu may proclaim that the God of Israel is the One true God with more zeal than God would have him, but Nebu did proclaim the truth. Is Nebu becoming a preacher of the gospel ?
We can wonder at this time, did God send the Jews into Babylon to reveal Himself to Nebuchadnezzar. Of course they were also sent there for their own good.
Romans 8 TLB
Grace to you
Lou Newton
The Image of Gold and the Fiery Furnace
1 King Nebuchadnezzar made an image of gold, ninety feet high and nine feetwide, and set it up on the plain of Dura in the province of Babylon.
2 He then summoned the satraps, prefects, governors, advisers, treasurers, judges, magistrates and all the other provincial officials to come to the dedication of the image he had set up.
3 So the satraps, prefects, governors, advisers, treasurers, judges, magistrates and all the other provincial officials assembled for the dedication of the image that King Nebuchadnezzar had set up, and they stood before it.
1 King Nebuchadnezzar made an image of gold, ninety feet high and nine feetwide, and set it up on the plain of Dura in the province of Babylon.
2 He then summoned the satraps, prefects, governors, advisers, treasurers, judges, magistrates and all the other provincial officials to come to the dedication of the image he had set up.
3 So the satraps, prefects, governors, advisers, treasurers, judges, magistrates and all the other provincial officials assembled for the dedication of the image that King Nebuchadnezzar had set up, and they stood before it.
But, of course his work was not all in vain. For what he intended for evil, God used for good. Almost everyone of this earth has heard of this miracle of God. It will reverberate throughout the heavens for all eternity.
Old Nebuchadnezzar is very heavily criticized by so many. But Nebu seen God Almighty with his own eyes. Who would not want to have the same happen to them.
Then the herald loudly proclaimed, "This is what you are commanded to do, O peoples, nations and men of every language: 5 As soon as you hear the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, pipes and all kinds of music, you must fall down and worship the image of gold that King Nebuchadnezzar has set up.
6Whoever does not fall down and worship will immediately be thrown into a blazing furnace."
6Whoever does not fall down and worship will immediately be thrown into a blazing furnace."
Nebu then made another common mistake. He tried to force everyone to honor him and his statue and anyone who disagreed with him should die.
7 Therefore, as soon as they heard the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp and all kinds of music, all the peoples, nations and men of every language fell down and worshiped the image of gold that King Nebuchadnezzar had set up.
8 At this time some astrologers came forward and denounced the Jews.
9 They said to King Nebuchadnezzar, "O king, live forever!
10 You have issued a decree, O king, that everyone who hears the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, pipes and all kinds of music must fall down and worship the image of gold,
11 and that whoever does not fall down and worship will be thrown into a blazing furnace.
12 But there are some Jews whom you have set over the affairs of the province of Babylon--Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego--who pay no attention to you, O king. They neither serve your gods nor worship the image of gold you have set up."
8 At this time some astrologers came forward and denounced the Jews.
9 They said to King Nebuchadnezzar, "O king, live forever!
10 You have issued a decree, O king, that everyone who hears the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, pipes and all kinds of music must fall down and worship the image of gold,
11 and that whoever does not fall down and worship will be thrown into a blazing furnace.
12 But there are some Jews whom you have set over the affairs of the province of Babylon--Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego--who pay no attention to you, O king. They neither serve your gods nor worship the image of gold you have set up."
This is a very common occurrence among men, even Christians. If a person worships an idol, or error of some kind they get very angry if someone does not worship their idol of choice. Instead of merely stating their case, or reasons they believe what they believe, they will bring pressure on those that do not agree with them.
Remember these astrologers of Babylon knew about Daniel telling the King what his dream was. God had demonstrated to them, that he was God, and even their King stated that was true.
13 Furious with rage, Nebuchadnezzar summoned Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego. So these men were brought before the king,
14 and Nebuchadnezzar said to them, "Is it true, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, that you do not serve my gods or worship the image of gold I have set up?
15 Now when you hear the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, pipes and all kinds of music, if you are ready to fall down and worship the image I made, very good. But if you do not worship it, you will be thrown immediately into a blazing furnace. Then what god will be able to rescue you from my hand?"
14 and Nebuchadnezzar said to them, "Is it true, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, that you do not serve my gods or worship the image of gold I have set up?
15 Now when you hear the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, pipes and all kinds of music, if you are ready to fall down and worship the image I made, very good. But if you do not worship it, you will be thrown immediately into a blazing furnace. Then what god will be able to rescue you from my hand?"
They get angry because deep down they do not have the Holy Spirit encouraging them to trust in the truth, but instead they know that their idol can not walk or talk or save. Since their idol can not protect itself, they must protect their idol.
The King will see what God can rescue them from his hand.
16Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego replied to the king, "O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter.
17 If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to save us from it, and he will rescue us from your hand, O king.
18 But even if he does not, we want you to know, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up."
17 If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to save us from it, and he will rescue us from your hand, O king.
18 But even if he does not, we want you to know, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up."
They also had the miracle of God telling Daniel the King' dream and the interpretation.
God knew this test was coming to these three, so He prepared them for this test. God first caused the event about the food to take place. It was not life and death, but there was risk involved. They seen the hand of God rescue them.
God could have gave Nebu the dream and the interpretation of it. But God caused the King to issue the degree that his wise men would die if they could not tell him what his dream was.
The three seen the miracle that God brought about and instead of death, they were promoted instead. The faith that God had given them by grace caused them to say this:
17 If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to save us from it, and he will rescue us from your hand, O king
I have heard this story told so many times making the three Jews, the heroes. But they are NOT the heroes. The hero is God Almighty.
19 Then Nebuchadnezzar was furious with Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, and his attitude toward them changed. He ordered the furnace heated seven times hotter than usual
20 and commanded some of the strongest soldiers in his army to tie up Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego and throw them into the blazing furnace.
21 So these men, wearing their robes, trousers, turbans and other clothes, were bound and thrown into the blazing furnace.
22 The king's command was so urgent and the furnace so hot that the flames of the fire killed the soldiers who took up Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego,
23 and these three men, firmly tied, fell into the blazing furnace.
20 and commanded some of the strongest soldiers in his army to tie up Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego and throw them into the blazing furnace.
21 So these men, wearing their robes, trousers, turbans and other clothes, were bound and thrown into the blazing furnace.
22 The king's command was so urgent and the furnace so hot that the flames of the fire killed the soldiers who took up Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego,
23 and these three men, firmly tied, fell into the blazing furnace.
The king's anger had increased to rage. Jesus said: Rev 3
15 I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other!
16 So, because you are lukewarm--neither hot nor cold--I am about to spit you out of my mouth.
The King was NOT lukewarm.
24 Then King Nebuchadnezzar leaped to his feet in amazement and asked his advisers, "Weren't there three men that we tied up and threw into the fire?" They replied, "Certainly, O king."
25 He said, "Look! I see four men walking around in the fire, unbound and unharmed, and the fourth looks like a son of the gods."
25 He said, "Look! I see four men walking around in the fire, unbound and unharmed, and the fourth looks like a son of the gods."
Nebu here is being inspired by The Holy Spirit to speak this. For no one can recognize the Son of God without the Holy Spirit revealing Him to them.
I testify to all of you that read this: every time I have been thrown into the furnace for trusting in Jesus, He appeared and walked and talked with me. Jesus never once sent a created angel that I am aware of, He always came to me Himself.
KJV -
He answered and said, Lo, I see four men loose, walking in the midst of the fire, and they have no hurt; and the form of the fourth is like the Son of God.
Many English translations say "Son of God"
26 Nebuchadnezzar then approached the opening of the blazing furnace and shouted, "Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, servants of the Most High God, come out! Come here!" So Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego came out of the fire,
27 and the satraps, prefects, governors and royal advisers crowded around them. They saw that the fire had not harmed their bodies, nor was a hair of their heads singed; their robes were not scorched, and there was no smell of fire on them.
28 Then Nebuchadnezzar said, "Praise be to the God of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, who has sent his angel and rescued his servants! They trusted in him and defied the king's command and were willing to give up their lives rather than serve or worship any god except their own God.
29 Therefore I decree that the people of any nation or language who say anything against the God of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego be cut into pieces and their houses be turned into piles of rubble, for no other god can save in this way."
30Then the king promoted Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego in the province of Babylon.
27 and the satraps, prefects, governors and royal advisers crowded around them. They saw that the fire had not harmed their bodies, nor was a hair of their heads singed; their robes were not scorched, and there was no smell of fire on them.
28 Then Nebuchadnezzar said, "Praise be to the God of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, who has sent his angel and rescued his servants! They trusted in him and defied the king's command and were willing to give up their lives rather than serve or worship any god except their own God.
29 Therefore I decree that the people of any nation or language who say anything against the God of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego be cut into pieces and their houses be turned into piles of rubble, for no other god can save in this way."
30Then the king promoted Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego in the province of Babylon.
We can wonder at this time, did God send the Jews into Babylon to reveal Himself to Nebuchadnezzar. Of course they were also sent there for their own good.
Romans 8 TLB
24We are saved by trusting. And trusting means looking forward to getting something we don’t yet have—for a man who already has something doesn’t need to hope and trust that he will get it. 25 But if we must keep trusting God for something that hasn’t happened yet, it teaches us to wait patiently and confidently.
26 And in the same way—by our faith—the Holy Spirit helps us with our daily problems and in our praying. For we don’t even know what we should pray for nor how to pray as we should, but the Holy Spirit prays for us with such feeling that it cannot be expressed in words. 27 And the Father who knows all hearts knows, of course, what the Spirit is saying as he pleads for us in harmony with God’s own will. 28And we know that all that happens to us is working for our good if we love God and are fitting into his plans.
26 And in the same way—by our faith—the Holy Spirit helps us with our daily problems and in our praying. For we don’t even know what we should pray for nor how to pray as we should, but the Holy Spirit prays for us with such feeling that it cannot be expressed in words. 27 And the Father who knows all hearts knows, of course, what the Spirit is saying as he pleads for us in harmony with God’s own will. 28And we know that all that happens to us is working for our good if we love God and are fitting into his plans.
Grace to you
Lou Newton
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