STUDIES IN THE BOOK OF DANIEL.

March 2, 2021

Nebuchadnezzar’s Golden image. Dan. 3:1-30

We could assume that Nebuchadnezzar conceived the idea of the image from his dream of chapter 2. It is the culture of Gentile nations to worship idols, some worship powerful persons as deities as in Act. 14:11-14 where Paul and Barnabas were to be worshipped. The image made of gold could be referring to the kingdom of Babylon as interpreted by Daniel as the head of God, forgetting that his kingdom is only temporary. His devotion to the God of Daniel was only short-lived. He neither feared nor obeyed the God behind that dream. “Proud princes affected to have divine honors paid them; Alexander did so, pretending himself to be the son of Jupiter Olympius” M. Henry

  1. Dan. 3:1 “Nebuchadnezzar the king made an image of gold, whose height was three hundred scores cubits, and the breadth thereof six cubits: he set it in the plain of Dura, in the province of Babylon”
  2. ‘The king made an image of gold’ Ex. 32:1-6, 1Kg. 12:26-33, 2Chro. 25:14, Act. 17:16 “Nebuchadnezzar erects a massive statue in tribute to himself, his kingdom, and his god or gods. Despite his statement in 2:47, Nebuchadnezzar still has not learned who is truly sovereign over the kingdom of Babylon. Approximately 90 feet high by 9 feet wide. Such a disproportionate structure would need some sort of pedestal or base to keep from toppling over. FSB Like other idolaters. Ps. 115L4-8, Jer. 10:1-11, Is. 40:19; 44:10-20; 46:6.
  3. Dan. 3:2-3. “He summons the great men, for the great honour of his idol. 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; they must all come to the dedication of this image upon pain and peril of what shall fall thereon.” M. Henry
  4. Rev. 15:4. Who then should not worship Christ as king? Is. 40:25-29, 1Tim. 6:15-16, Col. 1:12-19, Ps. 104:1-4, Rev. 4:8-11; 5:9-13; 7:10-12
  5. Dan. 3:4-5. The power of music in worship.  It continues.