STUDIES IN THE BOOK OF DANIEL.

March 16, 2021

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

“The contest is actually between Yahweh and the god of Nebuchadnezzar. The Jews express their conviction that their God is able to deliver them. Their faith was so strong that they are determined not to submit to this act of state worship, even if the Lord does not miraculously deliver them.” Evang. “This stands as an example of faith, religious fidelity, and courage. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego refuse to compromise their convictions by conforming to the religious practices of Babylon; God subsequently brings about a great deliverance. The experience served as a second display of God’s power to Nebuchadnezzar and illustrates the rewards of integrity” FSB

  1. Dan. 3:8 “Wherefore at that time certain Chaldeans came near and accused the Jews” a. This was nothing but envy. Gen. 4:5; 26:14; 37:11, Num. 16:3, est. 5:13. God warned his children against envy. Ps. 37:1, Pro. 3:31; 14:30 s. 26:11, 1Cor. 13:4, and never to pay evil for good Rom. 12:21, Pro. 17:13, Jer. 18:20. “These Jews, by their prayers had obtained the mercy which saved the lives of these Chaldeans, and, behold, how they requite them evil for good! For their love they are their adversaries. Thus Jeremiah stood before God, to speak good for those who afterwards dug a pit for his life, Jer. 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; and who can stand before envy” M. Henry
  2. Dan. 3:9-12. they were accused in v12 that “They have not regarded you, they served not your god, and they do not worship the golden image you have set up.” “A preface of flattery is closely akin to the cruelty that follows. So, Acts 24:2, 3, &c., Tertullus, in accusing Paul before Felix, begins by flattering the Roman governor.”
  3. False accusations are common against God’s people. Neh. 6:7, Jer. 37:13, Matt. 5:11, Lk. 6:7, 1Pet. 3:16. “Their enemies, that sought an occasion against them, laid hold on this, and were forward to accuse them. To aggravate the matter, and incense the king the more against them.” M. Henry
  4. The Lord said we should rejoice when we are falsely accused Matt. 5:11-12, 1Pet. 3:14-17; 4:13-14.