I. Nebuchadnezzar’s erecting and dedicating a golden image, and his requiring all his subjects, of what rank or degree so ever, to fall down and worship it, and the general compliance of his people with that command (verses 1-7).
II. Information given against the Jewish princes for refusing to worship this golden image (verses 8–12).
III. Their constant persisting in that refusal, notwithstanding his rage and menaces (verses 13–18).
IV. The casting of them into the fiery furnace for their refusal (verses 19–23).
V. Their miraculous preservation in the fire by the power of God, and their invitation out of the fire by the favor of the king, who was by this miracle convinced of his error in casting them in (verses 24–27).
VI. The honor which the king gave to God hereupon, and the favor he showed to those faithful worthies in (verses 28–30).
Daniel: Chapter 3: (580 B.C.) (Verses 1-7)
I) (The Image of Gold and The Command to Worship it)
1) Read: (Daniel 3:1); Nebuchadnezzar the king made an image of gold, whose height was threescore cubits, and the breadth thereof six cubits: he set it up in the plain of Dura, in the province of Babylon. KJV
1) Explanation: (Daniel 3:1); in verse one; We have no certainty concerning the date of this story, only that if this image, which Nebuchadnezzar dedicated, had any relation to that which he dreamed of, it is probable that it happened not long after that; some reckon it to be about the seventh year of Nebuchadnezzar, a year before Jehoiachin’s captivity, in which Ezekiel was carried away. We need to observe the 2 paragraphs below.
1) Comments: (Daniel 3:1); in verse one; Now Nebuchadnezzar the King made a golden image and set it up to be worshipped. Babylon was full of idols already, yet nothing will serve this imperious prince but they must have one more; for those who have forsaken the one only living God, and begin to set up many gods, will find the gods they set up so unsatisfying, and their desire after them so insatiable, that they will multiply them without measure, wander after them endlessly, and never know when they have sufficient. Idolaters are fond of novelty and variety. Nebuchadnezzar the king that he might exert the prerogative of his crown, to make what god he thought fit, set up this image, in verse one. The King had ordered a huge “image of gold” to be erected in his honor in (Daniel 3:1). But one can only guess the King’s motivation for building such a statue and making it the centerpiece of national loyalty. Now the King commanded an empire that encompassed diverse cultures, ethnic groups, and religions. Maybe the King wanted to provide a religious symbol to unite people of every nation and language with a common bond. Now the constructing of the giant statue in the province of Babylon would reinforced the capital city’s centrality and importance. But maybe the King wanted to create the statue he had seen in a recent dream, which Daniel had interpreted to him in (Daniel 2:28-32).
1) Extra-Comments: (Daniel 3:1); in verse one; multiply them without measure, wander after them endlessly, and never know when they have sufficient. Idolaters are fond of novelty and variety. They choose new gods. Those that have many will wish to have more. Nebuchadnezzar the king that he might exert the prerogative of his crown, to make what god he thought fit, set up this image, in verse one. (Please read the next 3 paragraphs below.
A) Extra-Comments: (Daniel 3:1); in verse one; the valuableness of it; and it was an image of gold, not all gold surely; rich as he was, it is probable that he could not afford that, but overlaid with gold. Note, the worshippers of false gods are not wont to mind charges in setting up images and worshipping them; they lavish gold out of the bag for that purpose (Isaiah 46:6), which shames our niggardliness in the worship of the true God.
B) Extra-Comments: (Daniel 3:1); in verse one; the vastness of it; it was threescore cubits high and six cubits broad. It exceeded the ordinary stature of a man fifteen times (for that is reckoned but four cubits, or six feet), as if it’s being monstrous would make amends for its being lifeless. But why did Nebuchadnezzar set up this image? Some suggest that it was to clear himself from the imputation of having turned a Jew, because he had lately spoken with great honor of the God of Israel and had preferred some of his worshippers. Or perhaps he set it up as an image of himself, and designed to be himself worshipped in it. Proud princes affected to have divine honors paid them; Alexander did so, pretending himself to be the son of Jupiter Olympus. He was told that in the image he had seen in his dream he was represented by the head of gold, which was to be succeeded by kingdoms of baser metal; but here he sets up to be himself the whole image, for he makes it all of gold. See here,
C) Extra-Comments: (Daniel 3:1); in verse one; how the good impressions that were then made upon him were quite lost, and quickly. He then acknowledged that the God of Israel is of a truth a God of gods and a Lord of kings; and yet now, in defiance of the express law of that God, he sets up an image to be worshipped, not only continues in his former idolatries, but contrives new ones. Note, Strong convictions often come short of a sound conversion. Many a pang have owned the absurdity and dangerousness of sin, and yet have gone on in it.
2) Read: (Daniel 3:2); in verse two; then Nebuchadnezzar the king sent to gather together the princes, the governors, and the captains, the judges, the treasurers, the counsellors, the sheriffs, and all the rulers of the provinces, to come to the dedication of the image which Nebuchadnezzar the king had set up. KJV
2) Explanation: (Daniel 3:2); in verse two; A general convention of the states summoned to attend the solemnity of the dedication of this image, in verses 2 and 3. The messengers are dispatched to all parts of the kingdom to gather together the princes, dukes, and lords, all the peers of the realm, with all officers civil and military, the captains and commanders of the forces, the judges, the treasurers or general receivers, the counsellors, and the sheriffs, and all the rulers of the provinces. Now they must all come to the dedication of this image upon pain and peril of what shall fall thereon. He summons the great men, for the great honor of his idol; it is therefore mentioned to the glory of Christ that kings shall bring presents unto him. If he can bring them to pay homage to his golden image, he doubts not but the inferior people will follow of course. In obedience to the king’s summons all the magistrates and officers of that vast kingdom leave the services of their particular countries, and come to Babylon, to the dedication of this golden image; long journeys many of them took, and expensive ones, upon a very foolish errand; but, as the idols are senseless things, such are the worshippers.
2) Comments: (Daniel 3:2); in verse two; now the King sent to gather together the satraps, which were the governors that were over the divisions of the Empire and they served as the chief representatives of the King. Also the governors were the civil administrators over the provinces too. All the chief officials of the provinces had to come to the dedication of the image which King Nebuchadnezzar had caused to be set up.
3) Read: (Daniel 3:3); in verse three; then the princes, the governors, and captains, the judges, the treasurers, the counsellors, the sheriffs, and all the rulers of the provinces, were gathered together unto the dedication of the image that Nebuchadnezzar the king had set up; and they stood before the image that Nebuchadnezzar had set up. KJV
3) Explanation: (Daniel 3:3); in verse three; the princes, the governors, and captains, the judges, the treasurers, the counsellors, the sheriffs, and all the rulers of the provinces, were gathered together unto the dedication of the image that Nebuchadnezzar the king had set up; and they stood before the image that Nebuchadnezzar had set up. (Here in verse three, there is some indication that this group of notables were also included all of the conquered nations. But it is only an indication and it is by no means certain from the original text).
3) Comments: (Daniel 3:3); in verse three; a proclamation was made, commanding all manner of persons to present before the image, upon the signal given, to fall down prostrate, and worship the image, under the style and title of “The golden image which Nebuchadnezzar the king has set up”. A herald proclaims this aloud throughout this vast assembly of grandees, with their numerous train of servants and attendants, and a great crowd of people, no doubt, that were not sent for; let them all take notice, 1. That the king does strictly charge and command all manner of persons to fall down and worship the golden image; whatever other gods they worship at other times, now they must worship this. 2. That they must all do this just at the same time, in token of their communion with each other in this idolatrous service, and that, in order hereunto, notice shall be given by a concert of music, which would likewise serve to adorn the solemnity and to sweeten and soften the minds of those that were loth to yield and bring them to comply with the king’s command. This mirth and gaiety in the worship would be very agreeable to carnal sensual minds that are strangers to that spiritual worship which is due to God who is a spirit.
4) Read: (Daniel 3:4); Then an herald cried aloud, to you it is commanded, O people, nations, and languages, KJV
4) Explanation: (Daniel 3:4); in verse four, there was a proclamation was made, which commanding all manner of persons present before the image, upon the signal given, to fall down prostrate, and worship the image, under the style and title of the golden image which Nebuchadnezzar the King has set up.
4) Comments: (Daniel 3:4); in verse four; there was a herald proclaims this aloud throughout this vast assembly of grandees, with their numerous train of servants and attendants, and a great crowd of people, no doubt, that they were not sent for. Now let them all take notice.
The King does strictly charge and command all manner of persons to fall down and worship the golden image; whatever other gods they were to worship at other times. But they all had to worship this this great image of King Nebuchadnezzar.
5) Read: (Daniel 3:5); That at what time ye hear the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, dulcimer, and all kinds of musick, ye fall down and worship the golden image that Nebuchadnezzar the king hath set up: KJV
5) Explanation: (Daniel 3:5); in verse five; the words for zither, harp, and pipe, they are perhaps the small drums are Greek loan-wards here in Daniel. Now the Greek musicians and instruments that were mentioned in Assyrian in scrimptions written before the time of Nebuchadnezzar. Then they would fall down and worship the image.
5) Comments: (Daniel 3:3); in verse five; when you hear the sound of the horn, pipe, lyre, trigon, harp, dulcimer or bagpipe, and every kind of music, you are to fall down and worship the golden image that King Nebuchadnezzar has set up.
6) Read: (Daniel 3:6); and whoso falleth not down and worshippeth shall the same hour be cast into the midst of a burning fiery furnace. KJV
6) Explanation: (Daniel 3:6); in verse six; and whoever does not fall down and worship shall that very hour be cast into the midst of a burning fiery furnace. Now Satan not only demands worship, and in many and varied ways, but also attaches a penalty to all those who will not obey. And believe it or not only a tiny few refuse to obey him.
6) Comments: (Daniel 3:6); in verse six; this blazing furnace was not a small oven for cooking dinner or heating a house. But it was a huge industrial furnace that could have been used fur baking bricks or smelling metals. Now the temperatures were hot enough to assure that no one could survive. The roaring flames could be seen leaping from its top opening and a fiery blast killed the soldiers that went up to the large opening of this furnace. Also you can read about this in (Daniel 3:22).
7) Read: (Daniel 3:7); Therefore at that time, when all the people heard the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, and all kinds of musick, all the people, the nations, and the languages, fell down and worshipped the golden image that Nebuchadnezzar the king had set up. KJV
7) Explanation: (Daniel 3:7); in verse seven; this passage indicates that all of the leaders from the conquered nations from all over the Babylonian Empire were brought in and they were to fall down and worshipped the golden image that Nebuchadnezzar the king had set up.
7) Comments: (Daniel 3:7); in verse seven; Therefore, when all the peoples heard the sound of the horn, pipe, lyre, trigon, dulcimer or bagpipe, and every kind of music, all the peoples, nations, and languages fell down and worshiped the golden image that King Nebuchadnezzar had set up. Now when all the people heard the sound of the music, this was a general compliance of the assembly and the King’s command was to fall down and worship this image. When they heard the sound of the musical instruments, both wind-instruments and the hand-instruments, together it was a melody of which they thought was ravishing. It was fit enough and it excited them with such a devotion as they were listing then to this music they would pay for it. Now all the people, nations, and languages, fell down and worshiped the golden image. And they all marvel when it was proclaimed.
II) (Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, Goes on Trial for Disobedience) (Verses 8-18)
8) Read: (Daniel 3:8); Where-fore at that time certain Chaldeans came near, and accused the Jews. KJV
8) Explanation: (Daniel 3:8); in verse eight; there were certain Chaldeans that accused the Jews, of not bowing down to the King’s image. But most of all they were pointing and accusing the three Hebrew children and their names were Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego for not obeying the King’s orders.
8) Comments: (Daniel 3:8); in verse eight; There-fore at that time certain men of Chaldean descent came near and brought (malicious) accusations against the Jews. Here these Chaldeans did accused them and some of those magicians or astrologers that were particularly called Chaldeans in (chapter 2:2-4); who bore a grudge to Daniel’s companions for his sake, because he had eclipsed them, and so had these companions. They by their prayers had obtained the mercy which saved the lives of these Chaldeans, and, behold, how they require them evil for good! For their love they are to their adversaries. Thus Jeremiah stood before God, to speak good for those who afterwards dug a pit for his life, (Jeremiah 18:20). We must not think it strange if we meet with such ungrateful men. Or perhaps they were such of the Chaldeans as expected the places to which they were advanced, and envied them their preferment’s; and who can stand before envy? They appeal to the king himself concerning the edict, with all due respect to his majesty, and the usual compliment, O King! Live forever as if they aimed at nothing but his honor, and to serve his interest, when really they were putting him upon that which would endanger the ruin of him and his Kingdom.
9) Read: (Daniel 3:9); they spake and said to the king Nebuchadnezzar, O king, live forever. KJV
9) Explanation: (Daniel 3:9); in verse nine; here the Chaldeans appealed to the King concerning the edict, with all due respect to his majesty, and they usual compliment the King, by saying “O King,” live forever.
9) Comments: (Daniel 3:9); in verse nine; the phrase “O King, live forever, now this was a common thing that the people would say to the King, for they wanted to stay on the good side of their King.
10) Read: (Daniel 3:10); Thou, O king, hast made a decree, that every man that shall hear the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, and dulcimer, and all kinds of musick, shall fall down and worship the golden image: KJV
10) Explanation: (Daniel 3:10); in verse ten; there isn’t a whole lot to say here about verse ten. But the King, has made a decree of the law that every man that hears the sound of the music instruments, and the sound of the all the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, and dulcimer, and all kinds of music, shall fall down and worship the golden image.
10) Comments: (Daniel 3:10); in verse ten; You, O king, have made a decree that every man who hears the sound of the horn, pipe, lyre, trigon, harp, dulcimer or bagpipe, and every kind of music shall fall down and worship the golden image. Also to hear the charms of this music was to allure them into a compliance; and the terrors of the fiery furnace to frighten them into a compliance too. Now this way would make sense and direct them that were most will to go. There is nothing so bad which the careless world will not be drawn to by a concert of music, or driven to by a fiery furnace. And by such methods as these false worship has been set up and maintained in the kingdom.
11) Read: (Daniel 3:11); and whoso falleth not down and worshippeth, that he should be cast into the midst of a burning fiery furnace. KJV
11) Explanation: (Daniel 3:11); in verse eleven; whosoever would not worship this golden image should be immediately thrown into the midst of the burning fiery furnace. And this fiery furnace was ready and prepared for that purpose which was for those who disobeyed the King.
11) Comments: (Daniel 3:11); in verse eleven; this put the King in mind of the law that he had lately made. That all manner of persons without exception of nation or language, should fall down and worship this golden image. Now this would put him in mind also of the penalty which by the law was to be inflicted upon anyone that did not worship the golden image. Then they were to be cast into the midst of the burning fiery furnace, of verses 10 and 11. It cannot be denied but this was the law; whether a righteous law or not but no one was to be considered.
12) Read: (Daniel 3:12); There are certain Jews whom thou hast set over the affairs of the province of Babylon, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego; these men, O king, have not regarded thee: they serve not thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up. KJV
12) Explanation: (Daniel 3:12); in verse twelve; Now upon reading this narrative, one may think, that these proceedings only related to the swollen ego of this Monarch the King. But there was no doubt as they entered into the proceedings, still, this entire scenario pertained to the supremacy of Babylon and the worshiping of its gods.
12) Comments: (Daniel 3:12); in verse twelve; there are certain Jews whom thou hast set over the affairs of the province of Babylon, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego; these men, O King, have not regarded thee: they serve not thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up. But O King, we don’t know if other Jews refused to fall down and worship the image. But these 3 were singled out as public examples. Now why don’t these 3 men just bow to the image and tell God that they didn’t mean it? They had determined never to worship another god, and they courageously took their stand. Now as a result, they were condemned and led away to be executed. But these three Hebrew men did not know whether they would be delivered from the fire, but all three of them said, that they knew was that they would not fall down and worship any idol.
13) Read: (Daniel 3:13); Then Nebuchadnezzar in his rage and fury commanded to bring Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. Then they brought these men before the king. KJV
13) Explanation: (Daniel 3:13); in verse thirteen; (It is quite possibly, and along with their disobedience, then the jealousy of the Babylonian officials showed itself regarding these “certain Jews.” But the ones that were under Daniel, they had been elevated to high positions of power in the Empire; therefore, with great joy, and the accusers will point a finger of accusation at these men, as they are called, demanding that King Nebuchadnezzar take steps).
13) Comments: (Daniel 3:13); in verse thirteen; when King Nebuchadnezzar heard this he flew into a rage and said, when anyone dared to disobey his commands. Now as the supreme ruler of Babylonia, and he expected absolute obedience. But his pride caused him to go beyond his own authority. Now the King’s demands were unjust and his reactions were extreme. If you find yourself angered when people don’t follow your directions, just ask yourself, “Why am I reacting this way”? Then your ego may be overly involved with your authority just like King Nebuchadnezzar did. Now in his rage and fury the King commanded his officers to bring Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego to appear before his throne. Here Nebuchadnezzar’s reaction suggests that he understood the response of the three friends as more than a petty infraction. But he saw it as both a blatant act of treason against the nation and as a flagrant insult to his authority of the King. Now the politics and religion were so inseparably bound together that refusing to worship the statue was a crime that warranted death.
After they had heard the response from the King, the three young men were calm and they were determined to stand strong for their God. But Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego showed no indication of fear or what the King would do to them.
14) Read: (Daniel 3:14); 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? KJV
14) Explanation: (Daniel 3:14); in verse fourteen; the question here “Is it true”? Now concerning their refusal to bow, is actually asked of every single person in one form or the other. But the answer has no middle ground. But the answer should be yes or no! Here King Nebuchadnezzar asked Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego if the accusation against them was true. If so, then he was offering them an opportunity to recant at the sound of the cornet, flute harp, sackbut, psaltery, and dulcimer, and all kinds of musick and worship the image. Now perhaps it was because of King Nebuchadnezzar’s esteem for their devotion and service that they had rendered that he was willing to give the three accused men a chance to reconsider their position. But still they chose not to honor the King and worship the statue, however, the King made it clear that they would be cast the same hour into the midst of a burning fiery furnace. Now with the severity of a sworn punishment ringing in their ears, the three friends heard the King ask, who is that God that shall deliver you out of my hands?
14) Comments: (Daniel 3:14); in verse fourteen; the King asked them whether it was true that they had not worshipped the golden image when all the others did. Then the King asked them was it designedly and deliberately done, or was it only through inadvertency, that you have not served my gods? Then the King said, do you not know that I have nourished and brought you up, so that you may have been educated and maintained at my charge. But now you have been in such a reputation for wisdom, and therefore should better have known your duty to your Prince. The King ask, why don’t you serve my gods and worship the golden image which I have set up?
15) Read: (Daniel 3:15); 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 musick, 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? KJV
15) Explanation: (Daniel 3:15); in verse fifteen; (The King was too quickly to find out just who exactly this God was; but all born again believers know that His name is Jehovah the very same God that Abraham, Isaac and Jacob worshipped. Remember that there is only one true God that rules Heaven and earth. Also we should remember that there is only one savior and His name is Jesus Christ.
15) Comments: (Daniel 3:15); in verse fifteen; now if you are ready when you hear the sound of the horn, pipe, lyre, trigon, harp, dulcimer or bagpipe, and every kind of music to fall down and worship the image which I have made, very good. But if you do not worship, you shall be cast at once into the midst of a burning fiery furnace, and who is that god who can deliver you out of my hands?
15) Extra-Comments: (Daniel 3:15); in verse fifteen; Now the King was willing to give the three Hebrew men one more change. But they had 8 executes to tell the King as to why, they could not bow down to the image and save their lives. Below are 8 executes that they would tell the King and why if they had to do this.
1) We will not bow down nor will we actually worship the idol.
2) The Kind appointed us and we owe this to him.
3) The King has absolute power and we must obey him. But our God will understand.
4) We will not become idol worshipers, but we will worship it this one time, and then ask God for forgiveness.
5) This is a foreign land, so God will execute us for following the customs of their land.
6) Now our ancestors set up idols in God’s Temple, this isn’t as half as bad.
7) Now we’ve not hurting anybody.
8) Now if we get ourselves killed and some other pagans take our high positions, they won’t help our people in exile.
16) Read: (Daniel 3:16); Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, answered and said to the king, O Nebuchadnezzar, we are not careful to answer thee in this matter. KJV
16) Explanation: (Daniel 3:16); in verse sixteen; we are not careful to answer you in this matter; and that is somewhat clumsy in the English translation. It actually means that it is not something they have to think about or give careful consideration to, as the matter is not open to discussion. It is a decision they made a long time ago, and the consequences are of no concern. We have made up our minds on this subject, and we have our answer ready for you. Then they said to the King; be it known unto thee that we will not serve thy god. We that are saved by the blood of Jesus Christ and call Jesus our Savior should have courage and always know that there is a moment to remain silent and a moment to stand up and speak out. Here Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego knew it was time to give voice to their faith. The three Hebrews did not sense a need to answer the King in this matter. They knew defending themselves was useless. First, the King’s command was not open to question or debate. Second, their position was not flexible. They would not compromise with false religion. Third, King Nebuchadnezzar was not considering the situation logically, but emotionally. But they knew that any argument would only have intensified the King’s wrath.
16) Comments: (Daniel 3:16); in verse sixteen; the three young men that they named Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were pressured to deny God, but they chose to be faithful to him no matter what happened. They trusted God to deliver them, but they were determined to be faithful regardless of the consequences. Now if God always rescued those who were true to Him, now Christians would not need faith. Their religion would be a great insurance policy, and there would be lines of selfish people ready to sign up. We should be faithful to serve God whether He intervenes on our behalf or not. Remember our eternal reward is worth any suffering that we may have to endure first.
17) Read: (Daniel 3:17); 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. KJV
17) Explanation: (Daniel 3:17); in verse seventeen; now at this stage, the 3 Hebrew young men have no assurance that they will be delivered, only that the Lord is able to deliver them. Here these 3 Hebrew young men, did speak to the King. Their reply should not be interpreted as cavalier or given in disrespect. Also the tone is sometimes difficult to distinguish when we analyze statements in the scripture. Now here their tone was most likely one of calm resolve rather than one of emphatic haughtiness. Here 3 Hebrew young men could make their response and they did because of their faith in their God.
Also they knew that God was more powerful than the fire or the King who controlled the fire. Now Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, knew that the Lord God was able to deliver them even from the burning fiery furnace.
17) Comments: (Daniel 3:17); in verse seventeen; when Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego answered the King, and if it be so, then thou may cast us into the furnace; the terror of it has no effect on our minds to induce us to alter the resolution we have taken, nor shall the fire change our purpose. We serve a God who is able to deliver us. But if He does not, we are equally determined; but we are satisfied that in some way or other our God will deliver us out of thy hand. Now thy power cannot affect us in the Kingdom of our God to which we shall ascend from the furnace, should God permit the fire to kindle upon us. We are not afraid.
18) Read: (Daniel 3:18); 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. KJV
18) Explanation: (Daniel 3:18); in verse eighteen; the words, “but if not,” do not show a lack of Faith, but only that they are not functioning in the realm of presumption, as so many believers in Christ do. Here Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego did not presume on God. They never claimed that God would rescue them, but only that the Lord God could deliver them. They had no doubt about God’s goodness to intervene in their crisis. They had no doubt either about God’s power to accomplish a miracle. But if not indicates that their faith did not rest on the belief that God would perform a miracle on their behalf, but that God was sovereign and could be trusted. The conclusion of the matter was that no matter what action God took, they would not deny their Lord God by worshiping the gold statue. Also Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego said that they will not serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image, which thou has set up. We as born again Christians should understand that our Lord God has all authority in Heaven and in earth, and we can confidently stand firm for our Lord God regardless of the threats that may come our way.
18) Comments: (Daniel 3:18); in verse eighteen; we will not serve your gods or worship the golden image which you have set up! They needed no time to contrive how they should word it. While they were advocates for their God, and were called out to witness in his cause, they doubted not but it should be given them in that same hour what they should speak, in (Matthew 10:19). They were not contriving an evasive answer, when a direct answer was expected from them. No, nor would they seem to court the King not to insist upon it. Here is nothing in their answer that looks like a compliment; for they began not, as their accusers did, with the words, O King, Live forever. Now there was no artful insinuation, to put him into a good humor, but everything that is plain and downright. Here they said, O King Nebuchadnezzar, we are not careful to answer thee. Those that make their duty their main care need not be careful concerning the event.
III) Below is some soul food for your thoughts on the 3 young men.
a) Their believing confidence in God and their dependence upon Him in verse 17. It was this that enabled them to look with so much contempt upon death, in pomp, death in all its terrors. They trusted in the living God, and by that faith chose rather to suffer than to sin; they therefore feared not the wrath of the King, but endured, because by faith they had an eye to him that is invisible, (Hebrews 11:25-27). If it be so, if we are brought to this strait, and if we must be thrown into the fiery furnace unless we serve thy gods, then know this that though we worship not thy gods, yet we are not atheists; but there is a God whom we can call ours, to whom we faithfully serve and His Name is Jehovah, the God of Heaven and earth and also the one true God of Abraham, Isaac’ and Jacob.
b) Note: The faithful servants of God will find Him a Master able to just know that we serve this God, and we have devoted ourselves to His honor. We also employ ourselves in His work, and depend upon Him to protect us, provide for us, and reward us. Now we are well assured that this God is able or not, we are sure that He can either prevent our being cast into the fiery furnace or rescue us out of it.
c) Now bear them out in His service, and to control and overrule all the powers that are armed against them. Lord, if thou wilt, thou canst.
d) Remember that we have reason to hope He will deliver us, partly because, in such a vast appearance of idolaters, it would be very much for the honor of His great name to deliver them, and partly because Nebuchadnezzar had defied Him to do it. Who is that God that shall deliver you? God sometimes appears wonderfully for the silencing of the blasphemies; of the enemy, as well as for the answering of the prayers of His people, (Psalms 74:18-22); and (Deuteronomy 32:27). But, if He does not deliver us from the fiery furnace, God will deliver us out of thy hand. We tell you O King Nebuchadnezzar, that you can torment and kill the body, and after that, there is no more that you can do; then they are gotten out of his reach, can delivered out of his hand. Note: Now the good thoughts of God, and a full assurance that He is with us while we are with Him, will help very much to carry us through sufferings; and if God be for us, we need not fear what man can do unto us; let him do his worst. But we know that our God will deliver us either from death or in death.
e) Here their firm resolution to adhere to their principles, and whatever might be the consequence in verse 18. “But, if not, though God should not think fit to deliver us from the fiery furnace (which yet we know He can do), if He should suffer us to fall into thy hand, and yet be it known unto thee, O King! We will not serve these gods, though they are thy gods, nor shall we worship this golden image, though thou thyself has set it up. They are neither ashamed nor afraid to own their religion, and tell the King to his face that they do not fear him, and they will not yield to him; had they consulted with flesh and blood, much might have been said to bring them to a compliance, especially when there was no other way of avoiding death, so great a death.
f) They were not required to abjure their own God, or to renounce his worship, no, nor by any verbal profession or declaration to this golden image to be a god. But only to bow down before it, which they might do with a secret reserve of their hearts for the God of Israel, They were not to fall into a course of idolatry; it was, but and inwardly detesting this idolatry, as Naaman bowed in the house of Rimmon.
g) One single act that was required of them, which would be done in a minute, and the danger was over, and they might afterwards declare their sorrow for it. He had been their benefactor, had educated and preferred them, and in gratitude to him they ought to go as far as they could, though it were to strain a point, a point of conscience.
h) They were now driven into a strange country, and to those that were so driven out it was, in effect, said go, and serve other gods, (I Samuel 26:19). It was taken for granted that in their disposition they would serve other gods, and it was made a part of the judgment, in (Deuteronomy 4:28). They might be excused if they should go down the stream, when it is so strong.
i) Here did not their kings, and their princes, and their fathers, yes, and even their priests too, set up idols even in God’s temple, and worship them there. But they not only bow down to them, but they erected alters, burn incense, and offered sacrifices, even their own children, to them.
Did not all the ten tribes, for many ages, worship gods of gold at Dan and Bethel? And shall they be more precise than their fathers?
j) If they should comply, they would save their lives and keep their places, and so be in a capacity to do a great deal of service to their brethren in Babylon, and to do it long, for they were young men, and rising men. But there is enough in that one word of God wherewith to answer and silence these and many more such like carnal reasoning. God has said, that thou shalt not bow down thyself to any images, nor worship them. They know they must obey God rather than man; they must rather suffer than sin, and must not do evil that good may come. And therefore none of these things move them; they are resolved rather to die in their integrity than live in their iniquity. While their brethren, who yet remained in their own land, were worshipping images by choice, they in Babylon would not be brought to it by constraint, but, as if they were good by antiperis tasks. But they were most zealous against idolatry in an idolatrous country. And truly, all things considered, the saving of them from this sinful compliance was as great a miracle in the Kingdom of grace as the saving of them out of the fiery furnace was in the kingdom of nature. These were those who formerly resolved not to defile themselves with the King’s meat, and now they as bravely resolve not to defile themselves with his gods.
k) Note; Remember, a steadfast and a self-denying adherence to our God and duty in less instances will qualify and prepare us for the like in greater. And in this we must be resolute, never, under any pretenses whatsoever, are we to worship images, or to say “A confederacy” with those that do so.
19) Read: (Daniel 3:19); Then was Nebuchadnezzar full of fury, and the form of his visage was changed against Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego: therefore he spake, and commanded that they should heat the furnace one seven times more than it was wont to be heated. KJV
19) Explanation: (Daniel 3:19); in verse nineteen; now to express his to wrath and to appease the Gods, he will order the fiery furnace to be heated sevenfold hotter. The Babylonians recognized seven planets and seven gods of the planets, one for each of them. Therefore, the number “seven” may have been used to appease these gods.
19) Comments: (Daniel 3:19); in verse nineteen; then the King was full of fury. Now this is strange after having had so many proofs of the supremacy of their God. The King had seen how God poured contempt upon his authority in the case of the three Hebrews, and yet he will try his strength once more. Then the King ordered the furnace to be seven times hotter. This means to be as hot as it could be made. Now seven expresses the great intensity of the heat from the furnace.
20) Read: (Daniel 3:20); and he commanded the most mighty men that were in his army to bind Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, and to cast them into the burning fiery furnace. KJV
20) Explanation: (Daniel 3:20); in verse twenty; he commanded the most mighty men that were in his army to bind Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, and to cast them into the burning fiery furnace. These “mighty men” were no doubt chosen for a particular reason. The King might be ready to admit that no accumulation of human power could equal Divine Power. Yet it is obvious that these men of might were chosen for the purpose that, despite Devine Power, will at least if such it should manifest itself. The royal sentence might still be carried out.
20) Comments: (Daniel 3:20); in verse twenty; now of the might men, were generals, or chief officers of his army; not very strong men. But there was no need of such men because these young three Hebrew men went without any resisted here because they knew that their God would deliver them from the fiery furnace.
21) Read: (Daniel 3:21); Then these men were bound in their coats, their hosen, and their hats, and their other garments, and were cast into the midst of the burning fiery furnace. KJV
21) Explanation: (Daniel 3:21); in verse twenty-one; these three young men were bound in their cloaks, their tunics or undergarments, their turbans, and their other clothing to. Then all three young Hebrew men were cast into the midst of the burning fiery furnace.
21) Comments: (Daniel 3:21); in verse twenty-one; this was no doubt done because the King Nebuchadnezzar, thought that these items of clothing, being of inflammable material, and would hasten their deaths. But it did the very opposite. But this proving the miracle working Power of their God.
21) Extra- Comments: (Daniel 3:21); in verse twenty-one; now even their hats, the word hat, is found only in this place in the Old Testament. The word sarbal properly means an outer garment. Herodotus, who lived about one hundred years after Daniel, says “the dress of the Babylonians consisted of a tunic of linen reaching down to the feet; and over this a tunic of woolen; and over all a white short clock or mantle. And on their heads they wore turbans. Now here the following verse was translates by Mr. Parkhurst and he translates the verse this way. Then these three men were bound in their cloaks, and their turbans, and in their upper (woolen) tunics, and their under (linen) tunics. And according to this interpretation, their sarbaley were their outermost garments. Here we see the propriety with which it is observed at that, and these were not changed by the fire.
22) Read: (Daniel 3:22); Therefore because the king’s commandment was urgent, and the furnace exceeding hot, the flames of the fire slew those men that took up Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. KJV
22) Explanation: (Daniel 3:22); in verse twenty-two; Here we see a remarkable providence that the men that had bound them, and threw them into the fiery furnace, were themselves consumed or suffocated by the flames. But here in verse twenty-two; the King’s commandment was urgent, that they should dispatch them quickly, and be sure to do it effectually; and therefore they resolved to go to the very mouth of the furnace, that they might throw them into the midst of it, but they were in such haste that they would not take time to arm themselves accordingly. The apocryphal additions to Daniel saying that the flame ascended forty-nine cubits above the mouth of the fiery furnace. Probably God ordered it so that the wind blew it directly upon them with such violence that it smothered them. God did this immediately pleaded the cause of his injured servants, and take vengeance for them on their persecutors, whom he punished, not only in the very act of their sin, but by it. Now here these men were only the instruments of cruelty; he that bade them to do it had the greater sin. Yet they suffered justly for executing an unjust decree, and it is very probable that they did it with pleasure and were glad to be so employed. Then Nebuchadnezzar himself was reserved for a further reckoning. There is a day coming when proud tyrants will be punished, not only for the cruelties that they have been guilty of, but for employing those about them in their cruelties, and so exposing them to the judgments of God.
22) Comments: (Daniel 3:22); in verse twenty-two; the King’s commandment was urgent, that they should dispatch them quickly, and be sure to do it effectually; and therefore they resolved to go to the very month of the furnace. By doing this they might throw them into the midst of it, but they were in such haste that they would not take time to arm themselves accordingly. The apocryphal additions to Daniel say that the flame ascended forty-nine cubits above the mouth of the furnace. Probably God ordered it so that the wind blew it directly upon them with such violence that it smothered them. God did this and immediately plead the cause of his injured servants, and took vengeance for them on their persecutors, whom he punished, for not only in the very act of their sin, but by it.
But these men were only the instruments of cruelty; and he that bade them do it had the greater sin; yet they suffered justly for executing an unjust decree, and it is very probable that they did it with pleasure and were glad to be so employed. Then Nebuchadnezzar himself was reserved for a further reckoning. There is a day coming when proud tyrants will be punished, not only for the cruelties that they have been guilty of, but for employing those about them in their cruelties, and so exposing them to the judgments of God.
23) Read: (Daniel 3:23); and these three men, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, fell down bound into the midst of the burning fiery furnace. KJV
23) Explanation: (Daniel 3:23); in verse twenty-three; the “might men” that were in charge of throwing the Hebrew young men; Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, into the burning fiery furnace. But the furnace was so hot that these “might men” that were employed by the King were killed by the excruciating heat of the furnace.
23) Comments: (Daniel 3:23); in verse twenty-three; the young Hebrew men were bound and they fell down at the furnace. Now there is a most evident want of a connexion between this and the following verses; and it is between these verses that the apocryphal Song of the three young men, as it is called, has been inserted by St. Jerome and others; but with this note: “QuaeSequuntur in Hebraeis voluminibus non reperi;” “What follows have not found in the Hebrew books. And then it begins, “They walked in the midst of the flame, they began to praising God, and blessing the Lord.” The Septuagint and Arabic read the twenty-fourth verse thus .Then King Nebuchadnezzar heard them sing praise, and was astonished. Now to connect the two verses Houbigant adds two verses found in the Vulgate, which are the four-ninth and the twenty-third. But an Angel of the Lord went down with Azariah and his companions into the furnace, and drove out the flame of fire from the furnace; and they walked in the midst of the furnace.” This verse (the forty-ninth) has been added to show the reason of Nebuchadnezzar’s astonishment, and also to account for the King’s astonishment, and also to account for the appearance of the fourth person in the furnace, which was our Lord God Himself.
IV) (God’s Supernatural Deliverance and The King is Amazed) (Verses 24-28)
24) Read: (Daniel 3:24); Then Nebuchadnezzar the king was astonied, and rose up in haste, and spake, and said unto his counsellors, Did not we cast three men bound into the midst of the fire? They answered and said unto the king, True, O king. KJV
24) Explanation: (Daniel 3:24); in verse twenty-four; the king was astonied, and rose up in haste, and spoke, and said unto his counsellors. Did not we cast just three men bound into the midst of the fire? They answered and said unto the king, that is true, O King. Also the word “astonied” means “terrified.” What the King saw in the furnace just terrified him. The King saw four men in the furnace and they were walking in the flames of the fire.
24) Comments: (Daniel 3:24); in verse twenty-four; it was perhaps the slaying of the men that executed his sentence was that which astonished him, as well as it might, for he had reason to think his own turn would be next; or it was some unaccountable impression upon his own mind that astonished him, and made him rise up in haste, and go to the furnace, to see what had become of those that he had cast into it. Now God can strike those with astonishment whose hearts are most hardened both against him and against his people. He that made the soul can make his sword to approach to it, even to that of the greatest tyrant. In his astonishment he calls his counsellors about him, and appeals to them. Did we not cast three men bound into the fire? And it seems, it was done by order, not only of the king, but of the council. They durst not but concur with him, which he forced them to do, that they might share with him in the guilt and odium?
And they said, true, O King, we did order such an execution to be done, and it was done. But now, says the King, I have been looking into the furnace, and I see four men, loose, and walking in the midst of the fire.
25) Read: (Daniel 3:25); 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. KJV
25) Explanation: (Daniel 3:25); in verse twenty-five; here the King answered them and said, behold, I see four men loose, walking in the midst of the fire. They are not hurt! And the form of the fourth man is like a son of the God. (Now the original language reads: “a Son of God.”)
25) Comments: (Daniel 3:25); in verse twenty-five; God’s deliverance of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, was a great victory of faith for the Jews in captivity. They were protected from harm, and they were comforted in trials too. Here God was glorified, and they were rewarded. Now let us determine to be true to God no matter how difficult the pressure or punishment. Now God’s protection transcends anything we could imagine. There was a fourth man seen with them in the fire, whose form, in King Nebuchadnezzar’s judgment, was like the Son of God. Then he appeared as a divine person, a messenger from Heaven, not as a servant, but as a Son of God. Also like an Angel (so come); and Angels are times called Sons of God in (Job 38:7). Now in apocryphal narrative of this story it is said. The Angel of the Lord came down into the furnace; and King Nebuchadnezzar realized who the fourth person was here in the fiery furnace.
V) We should Honor God (Jehovah), by loving Him more than your own life.
26) Read: (Daniel 3:26); Then Nebuchadnezzar came near to the mouth of the burning fiery furnace, and spake, and said, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, ye servants of the most high God, come forth, and come hither. Then Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, came forth of the midst of the fire. KJV
26) Explanation: (Daniel 3:26); in verse twenty-six; they that came forth out of the midst of the fire, as Abraham their Father out of Ur that is the fire, the Chaldees, into which says this tradition of the Jews, he was cast, for refusing to worshiping idols, and out of which he was delivered, as those and his three children were. But when they had their discharge they did not tempt God by staying in any longer, but came forth as brands out of the burning. Here the King’s response to this miracle was to acknowledge that Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were servants of the Most High God. The term was the best he knew for the God who was above all Gods. But King Nebuchadnezzar was not ready to abandon all his ideas of a host of gods, but he did recognized the superior power of the Hebrews’ God. The King then called for the three Hebrew men to come forth out of the furnace. But the King did not address the fourth figure or ask the divine presence to emerge. Nor did the King inquire as to His identity. Whether the fourth man disappeared at that moment or lingered as the others exited the furnace is unknown. The important point is that King Nebuchadnezzar had seen enough. The King reversed his sentence and called the three young men forth.
26) Comments: (Daniel 3:26); in verse twenty-six; the King Nebuchadnezzar calls them out of the furnace. He comes near to the mouth of the burning furnace, and bids them to come forth and come hither. Now come forth, come as some read it; Then the King speaks with a great deal of tenderness and concern, and stands ready to lend them his hand and help them out. He is convinced by their miraculous preservation that he did evil in casting them into the furnace; and therefore he does not thurst them out privily; no verily, but he will come himself and fetch them out, (Acts 16:37). Now observe the respectful title that he gives them. When he was in the heat of his fury and rage against them it is probable that he called them rebels, and traitors, and all the ill names he could invent; but now he owns them for the servants of the Most High God.
A God, who now appears able to deliver them out of his hands. Now sooner or later, God will convince the proudest of men that he is the Most High God, and above them, and too hard for them, even in those things wherein they deal proudly and presumptuously in (Exodus 18:11). He will likewise let them know, that they are his servants, and that he owns them and will stand by them. Now Elijah prayed in (I Kings 18:36); (Let it be known that thou art God and that I am thy servant). Here King Nebuchadnezzar, now embraces those whom he had abandoned, and is very officious about them, now that he perceives them to be the favorites of Heaven.
26) Note: (Daniel 3:26); what persecutors have done against God’s servants, when God opens their eyes, they must as far as they can undo again. How the fourth, whose form was like the Son of God, withdrew, and wither, He vanished away or visibly ascended, we are not told, but of the other three we are informed. That it was made to appear, to the full satisfaction of all the amazed spectators, that they had not received the least damage by the fire.
27) Read: (Daniel 3:27); And the princes, governors, and captains, and the king’s counsellors, being gathered together, saw these men, upon whose bodies the fire had no power, nor was an hair of their head singed, neither were their coats changed, nor the smell of fire had passed on them. KJV
27) Explanation: (Daniel 3:27); in verse twenty-seven; the Kind gathered all the governors and his counselors together, so that they could see that the fire had no power upon their bodies. Also the hair on their heads were not singed, neither was their garments scorched, nor had the smell of smoke clung to them. Now the constant repetition of the names, “Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego,”is not due to sentence structure on the part of the Holy Spirit. But it was instead by design. The Holy Spirit desires the world to know that it was the same three young men who went into the fiery furnace, were the same one’s that came out of the fire.
27) Comments: (Daniel 3:27); in verse twenty-seven; Now that these three young men had been completely untouched by the fire and heat. Only the ropes that had bound them had been burned. Now no human can bind us if our God wants us to be free. The power available to us is the same that had delivered “Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego,” and raised our Lord Jesus Christ from the dear, (Ephesians 1:18-20). We should trust God in every situation. There are eternal reasons for temporary trials, so be thankful that your destiny is in God’s hands and not in human hands.
28) Read: (Daniel 3:28); Then Nebuchadnezzar spake, and said, Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, who hath sent his angel, and delivered his servants that trusted in him, and have changed the king’s word, and yielded their bodies, that they might not serve nor worship any god, except their own God. KJV
28) Explanation: (Daniel 3:28); in verse twenty-eight; there is no evidence, even regarding the statements made by the Monarch, that he accepted the Lord at this time. But actually, all evidence is that he did not! This would come at a later date. But still, before all he acknowledges the supremacy of Jehovah in comparison to his national deities. Here we see that Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego did not seek to defend or prove God, but they simply stood with Him regardless of whether God did the miraculous to show His presence or remained silent and took them home. It was their courageous faith served to point others to God. Remember you can’t go wrong doing right! Now if you remain faithful before the fire, just as these three Hebrew men did, then you will bear witness of God before others. Also to King Nebuchadnezzar’s credit, he exalted the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. In addition, he underscored the courageous trust that the three Hebrew friends placed in their God. And the King respectfully noted their refusal of his command and how they yielded their bodies that they might not serve nor worship any god, except their own God. The power of God through the plan of God in a person fully surrendered to God points consistently to the glory of God.
Now it is crucial that believers learn to apply this truth in their lives today. We should ask ourselves, what kind of stand are we taking that would point clearly to God’s power in us today?
28) Comments: (Daniel 3:28); in verse twenty-eight; Then Nebuchadnezzar said, blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. Who hath sent his angel, and delivered his servants that trusted in him, and have changed the king’s word, and yielded their bodies, that they might not serve nor worship any god, except their own God. Here is a noble testimony from a heathen King. And what produced it? The intrepidly; pious conduct; of these three noble Jews. Here they had been time servers, and the name of the true God had not been known in Babylon. What honor does the Lord put on them that are steadfast in the faith!
V) (Nebuchadnezzar’s Decree) (Verses 29-30)
29) Read: (Daniel 3:29); Therefore I make a decree, That every people, nation, and language, which speak anything amiss against the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, shall be cut in pieces, and their houses shall be made a dunghill: because there is no other God that can deliver after this sort. KJV
29) Explanation: (Daniel 3:29); in verse twenty-nine; the idea expressed in this verse is that words spoken against Jehovah might excite His wrath and bring down damage on the Empire. Therefore, King Nebuchadnezzar was not necessarily jealous for the honor of Jehovah the God of the Jews. But rather for the safety of the Babylonian supremacy. In this, he at least had more sense than most modern political leaders.
29) Comments: (Daniel 3:29); in verse twenty-nine; the King said, I make a decree, that every people, nation, and language, which speak anything amiss against the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, shall be cut in pieces, and their houses shall be made a dunghill: because there is no other God that can deliver after this sort. Now speaking of anything amiss he did by the decree the King, does not oblige the people to worship the one true God. But the King also obliges them to treat him with reverence.
30) Read: (Daniel 3:30); Then the king promoted Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, in the province of Babylon. KJV
30) Explanation: (Daniel 3:30); in verse thirty; a few minutes before, the King was commanding their deaths, and now the King is commanding their promotion. What a God we have and serve. The question here is that I would like to ask you; Do you know the one and only true God of the Bible and are you saved and serving God (Jehovah), to the very best that you know how?
30) Comments: (Daniel 3:30); in verse thirty; the king promoted Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, in the province of Babylon. Then he restored them to the offices which they held before the charge of disobedience and treason was brought against them. The King also advanced them to be governors over all the Jews that were in his kingdom. They were more likely to be set over the Jews than over the Chaldeans.
A) Now this concludes our Bible Study on the third chapter of the book of Daniel. Next week we will continue our lesson studies in the chapter four of the book of Daniel. Please be much in prayer for me as I try to teach this great book of the Bible.
B) Remember; if you are not saved our God has the power to save anyone that calls upon the name of Jesus Christ and repents of their sins.
Now all that are lost need God’s power because we have a problem with sin. The Bible tells us that “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,” (Romans 3:23).
C) Now you can find the way to Heaven in the book of (Romans 10:9). This scripture in the bible tells us that “If you confess with your mouth, that “Jesus is Lord,” and that you believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.”
D) We all need to confess our sins and ask God for his forgiveness. When you confess Jesus Christ as your Lord, then this involves an agreeing with God about your sin and your need for Salvation. You must repent of your own personal sins, by doing this you are willing to turn away from the direction in life in which you are going.
E) Now to “believe in your heart” is to place your faith in Jesus Christ your Lord and Savior, also you are trusting that Jesus died on the Cross to pay for your sins. But our God proves His own love for us in that while we were sill sinners, Jesus Christ died for all of us. (Romans 5:8).
F) Remember, if you would like to have Salvation in our Lord Jesus Christ, you sincerely pray a prayer like this one; “Please God, I confess to you my sins and I need for you to save me right now. Turn away from my sins and I place my faith in Jesus Christ as my Savior and Lord of my life forever. Amen.”
G) Before we close chapter 3 of the book of Daniel, I would just like to say, I believe that all the scriptures are very important to all of God’s people and every Christian should know and keep them in his heart. I believe that our Lord Jesus said these scriptures in the book of (Matthew 22:37-39). Then one of Pharisees ask Jesus a question and he called Him Master. Which is the great commandment in the Law? Then Jesus said unto him, “Thou shalt love the Lord, thy God, with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.” (Matthew 22:37); Now in verse 38, Jesus said, “This is the first and great commandment.” (Matthew 22:38); Here in verse 39, our Lord Jesus said, and the second is like it,
H) “Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.” (Matthew 22:39); Also our Lord Jesus said, this in verse 40, “On these two commandment’s hang all the law and the prophets.” (Matthew 22:40); Remember we that are believers in our Lord Jesus Christ, and know Jesus as our own personal Savior. Also we should give Him praise and thank Him every day of our life. Why? Because Jesus shed His precious blood on that old rugged Cross so that we all could be free and have eternal life with Him in Heaven. But while we are waiting we must be telling everyone about God’s Salvation Plan. And that plan is called the “Gospel” or the “Good News,” this is the job of every born again believer that calls Jesus Christ their Lord and Savior.
I) Now in the book of Matthew, in chapter 28, these scriptures tells us that the disciples went away into Galilee, into a mountain where Jesus had appointed them to go. (Matthew 28:16); and when they saw Him, they worshiped Him; But some doubted. (Matthew 28:17); and Jesus came and spoke unto them, saying, All authority is given unto me in Heaven and in earth. (Matthew 28:18); In verse 19; Jesus said, go ye, therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, which is Jesus, and of the Holy Spirit. (Matthew 28:19); Also in verse 20, Jesus said, teaching them to observe all things, whatsoever I have commanded you; and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world, (age). Amen. (Matthew 28:20);
J) Now you have just finish reading the two scriptures in the book of (Matthew 28:19-20). Most people that are Christians go to church on Sunday morning and then go out to eat lunch or a late dinner. But I would like to ask everyone a few questions about whose job it is to tell the “Good News” or the “Gospel”?
Most Christians believe that this is the job of the pastor because that why we pay him for. But then there are the other type of Christians that believe that this job belongs to the Deacon in the church. Well, guess what, I believe that telling the Gospel is my job and every born again believers that has accepted Jesus Christ as their Savior.
K) Yes that means all of us are commanded to go, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, which is Jesus, and of the Holy Spirit. (Matthew 28:19); Remember time is running out for all those that are not saved. Also I believe that we are living in those last days right now and we as Christians have very little time left to tell our love ones and those who may not be saved about our Lord Jesus Salvation Plan. And that plan is called the “Gospel” or the “Good News,” this is the job of every born again believer that calls Jesus Christ their Lord and Savior.
L) Note: Now this concludes our Bible Study on the third chapter of the Book of Daniel. Please be much in prayer for me as I try to teach the fourth chapter of this great book of Daniel. Now remember that everything on this web-site is free. Please pass them on to other people if they have helped you.
Frank Rose