Nebuchadnezzar’s Golden image… Dan. 3:1-30
“Nebuchadnezzar as the supreme ruler of Babylon, he expected absolute obedience. But his pride has caused him to go beyond his own authority. His command was unjust and his actions were extreme.” Life App. Stud. Bible.
- Dan. 3:13 “Then Nebuchadnezzar in his rage and fury commanded to bring Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego…” Jonah also was hasty and angry. “If you find yourself so angry when people don’t follow your directions, ask yourself, “Why am I reacting? Your ego may be overtly involved with your authority” Such fury is forbidden in the Bible. Eccl. 7:5, Tit. 1:7, Eph. 4:26, see also, Pro. 14:17; 22:24; 29:22. “How little was it the honour of this mighty prince that he had rule over so many nations when at the same time he had no rule over his own spirit, that there were so many who were subjects and captives to him when he was himself a perfect slave to his own brutish passions and led captive by them! How unfit was he to rule reasonable men who could not himself be ruled by reason…True devotion calms the spirit, quiets and meekens it; but superstition, and a devotion to false gods, inflame men’s passions, inspire them with rage, and fury, and turn them into brutes.” M. Henry
- Dan. 3:14-15 …but if ye worship not, cast the same hour into the midst of a burning fiery furnace, and who is that God that can deliver you out of my hands?
- Is it of purpose?” so some read it. “Was it designedly and deliberately done, or was it only through inadvertency, that you have not served my gods? He was willing to admit them to a new trial; if they did on purpose not do it before, yet, it may be, upon second thoughts, they will change their minds. Rev. 3:11
- ‘Who is that God…” 2Kg. 18:33-35; 19:11-12 ‘The contest is actually between Yahweh and the god of Nebuchadnezzar’ “Now he forgot what he himself once owned, that their God was a God of gods and a Lord of kings, ch. 2:47. Proud men are still ready to say, as Pharaoh, Who is the Lord that I should obey his voice? “ M. Henry
