Daniel 3:14

Daniel 3:14 says, 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?  Nebuchadnezzar allowed Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego an opportunity to deny the charges against them.  He didn't just take the word of their accusers.  While appearing to be fair, he still expected them to obey his decree.  There are decrees, or laws, today that go against what God teaches, and we as followers of Christ are expected to follow them with no consideration of our beliefs.  Verse fifteen adds, 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?  Nebuchadnezzar gave them a chance to change their minds and obey his decree, which meant worshipping the image that he had made.  If not, they were to be immediately thrown into the fiery furnace.  If given the chance to avoid punishment, whatever it might be, if we will follow the law of man instead of the law of God, we must remain faithful to God.  Verse sixteen continues, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, answered and said to the king, O Nebuchadnezzar, we are not careful to answer thee in this matter.  They did not have to consider what to say.  They knew that there was only one answer possible.  We need that same type faith today.  Verse seventeen declares, 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.  They did not say that they knew that God would deliver them from this particular situation, but their faith was still in God and not Nebuchadnezzar.  We cannot serve God only when we know for certain that He will deliver us from a bad situation but must serve Him no matter what.  Verse eighteen adds, 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.  I believe that the "but if not" often causes us to fail or waver in our faith.  Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego said whether God delivered them from the fiery furnace or not that they would remain faithful to Him.  We cannot look at a situation where we feel that God has failed us, though He never will, and use that to justify questioning Him.  We must be willing to go into the furnace if necessary, knowing that even if this body is destroyed that our soul is eternally secure with God. Verse nineteen continues, 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.  Though earlier, when Daniel had interpreted his dream, Nebuchadnezzar had proclaimed the greatness of God, he was now angry that Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were proclaiming their faith to Him.  He ordered the furnace to be heated excessively hot.  When we stand for God in defiance of some ruler, or maybe just a rich and powerful person, we should not be surprised if we anger them and they attempt to destroy us.  Verse twenty says, 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.  Nebuchadnezzar was taking no chances.  He had the strongest men of his army bind Shadrach, Meshach, and Abebnego and throw them into the furnace.  Verse twenty-one adds, 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.  They were bound with all their garments and thrown in.  Verse twenty-two continues, Therefore because the king’s commandment was urgent, and the furnace exceeding hot, the flame of the fire slew those men that took up Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego.  This says that the fire was so hot that it killed those who threw Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in.  Nebuchadnezzar lost some of his mightiest soldiers.  We might think, if we did not know the outcome, that God had failed Shadrach, Meschach, and Abednego.  Well, they did not know the outcome when they went into the fiery furnace, but their faith was still in God delivering them, whether in this life or the one to come.  We cannot always know the outcome of every test of our faith in this world, but we can know that God will deliver us onto everlasting life if we are followers of Christ, no matter what happens in this world.  Verse twenty-three concludes, And these three men, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, fell down bound into the midst of the burning fiery furnace.  I don't believe they regretted their decision to stand for God even as they lay bound in the furnace.  Neither should we ever doubt our faith in and standing for God, no matter what happens.

Daniel 3:7

Daniel 3:7 says, 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.  Since Nebuchadnezzar made the decree, we can assume he would want to see if it would be obeyed.  Until the actual playing of the music the people did not have to make a choice.  Today, until we are actually faced with having to worship some idol or false god, we do not really have our faith put to a test.  This verse states that all the people fell down and worshipped, but we know this is not true.  Verse eight adds, Wherefore at that time certain Chaldeans came near, and accused the Jews.  Evidently some people were observing who did not worship the image as much as Chaldeans were worshipping the image themselves.  I believe that had they really been devoted to worshipping that they would not have been concerned with what others were doing.  When we are truly worshipping God, our focus should be on God and not those around us.  Yet we often are more focused on those around us than we are on God.  Verse nine continues, They spake and said to the king Nebuchadnezzar, O king, live for ever.  Once more they were flattering the king, but they were really there for their own benefit.  They saw an opportunity to get rid of certain Jews who had been placed in power, namely Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego.  I am not sure why Daniel was not included, but I believe that it is safe to say that he did not worship the image either.  There will always be people who want to destroy those who worship and stand for God for their own benefit in this world.  Verse ten states, 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:  These Chaldeans reminded Nebuchadnezzar of his decree, wanting it to appear that they were concerned about his authority being challenged.  Sometimes today those who want something from a ruler will go out of their way to make it appear that they are concerned simply within the ruler's welfare.  Verse eleven adds, And whoso falleth not down and worshippeth, that he should be cast into the midst of a burning fiery furnace.  Then, they repeated the decree, maybe to show that they had been listening and heeding the king. Verse twelve continues, 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.  This was the true reason for their speaking to Nebuchadnezzar.  They wanted to point out that Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego had not followed the king's decree.  Again, I am not sure why Daniel was not included, but we can be certain that he did not fall down and worship as well.  When we stand firm in our faith in God, there will always be those who attempt to destroy us in any way they can.  Verse thirteen concludes, Then Nebuchadnezzar in his rage and fury commanded to bring Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. Then they brought these men before the king.  Nebuchadnezzar had evidently forgotten his declaration to Daniel that Daniel's God was a powerful God and was now only concerned with his own authority.  There are many people in the world today who are more concerned with their authority than with the power of God, and they will do anything they can to destroy those who are faithful to Him.

Daniel 3:1

Daniel 3:1 says, 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.  Though Nebuchadnezzar had proclaimed Daniel's God to be a god of gods, that did not stop him from creating his own god.  This was a giant golden statue set up so it would be seen from a great distance.  Often people today set up their own golden idols to worship.  This may not be an actual statue, but wealth becomes the most important thing to them.  Verse two adds, Then Nebuchadnezzar the king sent to gather together the princes, the governors, and the captains, the judges, the treasurers, the counsellers, the sheriffs, and all the rulers of the provinces, to come to the dedication of the image which Nebuchadnezzar the king had set up.  Nebuchadnezzar invited, or more accurately summoned, all the important people in the kingdom to come to the dedication of the statue.  They may have felt honored to be there, but they were also placed in the position of having to acknowledge this statue as a god.  We can never feel honored to be invited to any great event if we must acknowledge some other god than the one true God simply by being there. Verse three continues, Then the princes, the governors, and captains, the judges, the treasurers, the counsellers, 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.  Since all the people involved in the government were there, we have to think that Daniel and his three friends were there.  Seeing this statue would have meant nothing to them.  We may be in the presence of idols today, though hopefully not because we have been forced to be there, but they should mean nothing to us.  Verse four states, Then an herald cried aloud, To you it is commanded, O people, nations, and languages,  Now came the king's command concerning the statue, which would change the requirement concerning the statue.  Verse five adds, 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:  They were ordered that anytime they heard music they were to fall down and worship the golden image that Nebuchadnezzar had made.  This could be at any time, and they didn't even have to actually be in the presence of the statue.  Some religions are just as fanatical today about their false prophets and the worship of them.  Verse six continues, And whoso falleth not down and worshippeth shall the same hour be cast into the midst of a burning fiery furnace.  This made worshipping the image mandatory under the penalty of death.  Daniel and his three friends could no longer just be in the presence of the image but would be required to actually worship it.  We need to be certain that our faith in God is strong enough to stand the test if we are ever in such a situation.

Daniel 2:44

Daniel 2:44 says, And in the days of these kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed: and the kingdom shall not be left to other people, but it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand for ever.  During the Roman empire, God was going to establish an everlasting kingdom.  This would not be based on the power of men, but on the sacrifice of Christ on the cross.  Verse forty-five adds, Forasmuch as thou sawest that the stone was cut out of the mountain without hands, and that it brake in pieces the iron, the brass, the clay, the silver, and the gold; the great God hath made known to the king what shall come to pass hereafter: and the dream is certain, and the interpretation thereof sure.  Daniel said that the stone cut out of the mountains without hands, or by God Himself, would defeat all the other kingdoms, no matter how powerful they were.  We know this was a reference to Christ, Who set up God's everlasting kingdom.  No matter how powerful nations are today, they will never be able to defeat the kingdom of God.  This is not a military kingdom, but a spiritual one.  Verse forty-six continues, Then the king Nebuchadnezzar fell upon his face, and worshipped Daniel, and commanded that they should offer an oblation and sweet odours unto him.  Even though Daniel had given all the credit to God, Nebuchadnezzar chose to worship Daniel instead of God.  Even when we give God the credit for what good we do for others today, they may still only want to give us the credit, even if we make it clear that God is the One Who should be given the praise.  Then in verse forty-seven states, Nebuchadnezzar declares, The king answered unto Daniel, and said, Of a truth it is, that your God is a God of gods, and a Lord of kings, and a revealer of secrets, seeing thou couldest reveal this secret. Nebuchadnezzar does acknowledge God after worshipping Daniel.  He called God Daniel's God.  For Nebuchadnezzar God was not the only true and living God, but just another of many gods.  There are those today who may be willing to acknowledge God as one of many gods, especially if something good has been done for them in His name, but this is not enough.  Verse forty-eight adds, Then the king made Daniel a great man, and gave him many great gifts, and made him ruler over the whole province of Babylon, and chief of the governors over all the wise men of Babylon.  Though he hadn't asked for it, Nebuchadnezzar did reward Daniel.  Then verse forty-nine continues, Then Daniel requested of the king, and he set Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, over the affairs of the province of Babylon: but Daniel sat in the gate of the king.  Daniel did not forget his three friends.  They had been a part of his being able to tell the king the dream and the interpretation since they had been in prayer with Daniel about it.  We are never truly alone in our witnessing and working for God, so we should never serve God simply for our own benefit.  We should always give God the glory and share the benefits of God's blessings with others.

Daniel 2:37

Daniel 2:37 says, Thou, O king, art a king of kings: for the God of heaven hath given thee a kingdom, power, and strength, and glory.  Daniel began by telling Nebuchadnezzar that he was a very powerful king, and that he was so due to the God in heaven.  We can debate whether God actually placed Nebuchadnezzar in power or just allowed he to rise to such power.  I personally believe that God simply allowed Nebuchadnezzar to rise to power.  If we believe that God places every ruler in power, then all the atrocities committed by those rulers would ultimately be God's responsibility.  It might look as though Daniel was now flattering Nebuchadnezzar, but he was simply interpreting the dream.  Verse thirty-eight adds, And wheresoever the children of men dwell, the beasts of the field and the fowls of the heaven hath he given into thine hand, and hath made thee ruler over them all. Thou art this head of gold.  Daniel once more proclaimed the power of Nebuchadnezzar.  The debate from above still applies.  When Daniel said God gave everything in the land over to Nebuchadnezzar, did that mean that God placed him in power or simply allowed him to have that power?  Either way, Daniel told Nebuchadnezzar that he was the head of gold.  Daniel said that Nebuchadnezzar was the head of the image and made of the most valuable metal.  Verse thirty-nine continues, And after thee shall arose another kingdom inferior to thee, and another third kingdom of brass, which shall bear rule over all the earth.  Matthew Henry says this represented the Medes and Persians, and then the Greeks.  Daniel said that after Nebuchadnezzar there would be a kingdom inferior to his, and after that another that was represented by the brass in the image.  These kingdoms would be less powerful than Nebuchadnezzar was.  I believe that we can say that no matter how powerful we think we are, if we aren't following the will of God our power and influence will never last.  Verse forty states, And the fourth kingdom shall be strong as iron: forasmuch as iron breaketh in pieces and subdueth all things: and as iron that breaketh all these, shall it break in pieces and bruise.  There was to be a fourth kingdom that was powerful and brutal.  Matthew Henry says this was the Roman empire.  There will always be some nation that believes that it should be the most powerful, but all will fall when Christ returns.  Verse forty-one adds, And whereas thou sawest the feet and toes, part of potters’ clay, and part of iron, the kingdom shall be divided; but there shall be in it of the strength of the iron, forasmuch as thou sawest the iron mixed with miry clay.  Daniel said this last kingdom would be divided, but it would still have the strength of iron.  Verse forty-two continues, And as the toes of the feet were part of iron, and part of clay, so the kingdom shall be partly strong, and partly broken. Verse forty-three concludes, And whereas thou sawest iron mixed with miry clay, they shall mingle themselves with the seed of men: but they shall not cleave one to another, even as iron is not mixed with clay.  Daniel said that though this kingdom would be strong that it would never be truly united.

Danel 2:31

Daniel 2:31 says, Thou, O king, sawest, and behold a great image. This great image, whose brightness was excellent, stood before thee; and the form thereof was terrible.  Daniel begins to relate the king's dream to him.  Daniel said that in his dream Nebuchadnezzar saw a great image, whose brightness was excellent, but it's form was terrible.  I am not sure, but evidently Nebuchadnezzar remembered the dream as Daniel related it, or otherwise how could he have known that Daniel was telling him the truth.  Until there was someone there who could tell him what the dream meant, then it would have done him no good to remember.  When God reveals His truth today, the lost miss the message of the gospel, and we as followers of Christ are to be there to explain it to them under the leadership of the Holy Spirit.  Verse thirty-two adds, This image’s head was of fine gold, his breast and his arms of silver, his belly and his thighs of brass,  Daniel began to relate the way the statue was constructed, and the farther down he went in the description the cheaper the materials that formed it became.  Verse thirty-three continues, His legs of iron, his feet part of iron and part of clay.  The statue went from a head of gold to feet of iron and clay.  No matter how wonderful the statue looked, it was built on a weak foundation.  Though this is not part of Daniel's interpretation, I believe that we can say that this applies to the things of this world.  No matter how wonderful they may look, they are built on a foundation that will crumble when judged by God.  Verse thirty-four states, Thou sawest till that a stone was cut out without hands, which smote the image upon his feet that were of iron and clay, and brake them to pieces.  Daniel said Nebuchadnezzar saw a stone cut without hands destroy the feet of the image, or statue.  Verse thirty-five adds, Then was the iron, the clay, the brass, the silver, and the gold, broken to pieces together, and became like the chaff of the summer threshing floors; and the wind carried them away, that no place was found for them: and the stone that smote the image became a great mountain, and filled the whole earth.  Daniel was still at this point telling Nebuchadnezzar what his dream was, but the image was destroyed, and the stone became great and filled the whole earth.  Verse thirty-six continues, This is the dream; and we will tell the interpretation thereof before the king.  Daniel had fulfilled the first part of Nebuchadnezzar's demand, which was likely the hardest part, and now he was ready to fulfill the second demand.  When confronted with a challenge that threatens our faith today, we must look to God for answers.  The first step may be to actually identify the problem, then we will be ready to take action.

Daniel 2:26

Daniel 2:26 says, The king answered and said to Daniel, whose name was Belteshazzar, Art thou able to make known unto me the dream which I have seen, and the interpretation thereof?  Nebuchadnezzar asks Daniel plainly if he was able to make the dream known.  Since Daniel's Babylonian name is pointed out, that is likely how the king addressed him.  We can assume that by this time the king expected the captives to have become assimilated into Babylonian culture.  When people see followers of Christ today, they may assume that we are just like everyone else, but as Nebuchadnezzar was to find out, just like there was with Daniel there is something different about us.  Daniel was an obedient servant of God, just as we should be.  This could have been Daniel's opportunity to really make life easy for his friends and himself, but he chose to keep the emphasis on God.  Anytime we are doing something good in the world, we need to make sure that God receives the glory.  Verse twenty-seven adds, Daniel answered in the presence of the king, and said, The secret which the king hath demanded cannot the wise men, the astrologers, the magicians, the soothsayers, shew unto the king;  I believe that Daniel was simply pointing out the inability of any person to answer Nebuchadnezzar's demands by their own ability, and this even included Daniel.  Instead of claiming glory for himself, Daniel was to give the glory to God, as it should have been.  By our own abilities as followers of Christ, we are no better than any other person, but because of our relationship to Him we are.  Still, we are not to use this relationship with Christ for our own benefit, but like Daniel are to give God the glory.   Verse twenty-eight continues, But there is a God in heaven that revealeth secrets, and maketh known to the king Nebuchadnezzar what shall be in the latter days. Thy dream, and the visions of thy head upon thy bed, are these;  Daniel had said that those who claimed a special ability to interpret dreams were helpless, but there is a God in heaven that revealth secrets. This should be our declaration in all things, especially situations in which there seems to be no answer: But there is a God in heaven.  God has not gone away since Daniel's day.  Then, after giving God the glory, Daniel begins to tell Nebuchadnezzar his dream.  Verse twenty-nine states, As for thee, O king, thy thoughts came into thy mind upon thy bed, what should come to pass hereafter: and he that revealeth secrets maketh known to thee what shall come to pass.  Daniel told Nebuchadnezzar that when he dreamed was what was to come to pass, and that God was revealing it to him.  We should not be surprised that if God reveals something to those who do not believe in Him that they would fail to understand it.  Verse thirty adds, But as for me, this secret is not revealed to me for any wisdom that I have more than any living, but for their sakes that shall make known the interpretation to the king, and that thou mightest know the thoughts of thy heart.  Once more, Daniel did not take credit for interpreting the dream, but said it was revealed to him by God for the sake of those who were to be destroyed and that the king might know what was in his heart. This is what the gospel does.  The gospel is given for our sakes, not through any ability that we have, but by the power of God.  It reveals to us what is in our heart.