In the book of Daniel, Daniel shared how, “certain Chaldeans came near, and accused the Jews”, and they said to King Nebuchadnezzar, “There are certain Jews whom you have set over the affairs of the province of Babylon, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego; these men, O king, have not regarded you: they serve not your gods, nor worship the golden image which you have set up. Then Nebuchadnezzar in his rage and fury commanded to bring Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. Then they brought these men before the king”, and in Daniel chapter three and verse fourteen of his book Daniel shared how King Nebuchadnezzar asked, “do you not serve my gods”, where we read,
Nebuchadnezzar spoke and said unto them, Is it true, O Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego,
do not you serve my gods, nor worship the golden image which I have set up?
The verse reads, “Nebuchadnezzar spoke and said unto them, Is it true, O Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, ...” Daniel began with the words, “Nebuchadnezzar spoke” or “Nebuchadnezzar whose name means 'may Nebo protect the crown' and was 'the great king of Babylon who captured Jerusalem and carried Judah captive' answered, responded and replied ”“and said unto them” which means “and uttered, declared and proclaimed to Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego”, “is it true” or “is the accusation brought against them”, “O Shadrach” whose name means “royal or the great scribe”, “Meshach” or “guest of the king”, “and Abednego” or “and servant of Nebo”. Daniel shared how King Nebuchadnezzar asked “Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego” whether the accusation against them was valid.
The verse continues, “... do not you serve my gods, nor worship the golden image which I have set up?” Daniel added the words, “do not you serve my gods” which means “do you, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, in no way or manner revere, minister or pay reverence to my, King Nebuchadnezzar's, deities”, “nor worship the golden image” or “or not in any way give homage and adoration to the idolatrous figure made of gold” “which I have set up” which means “that I, King Nebuchadnezzar, erected, fixed and established”? Daniel shared how King Nebuchadnezzar questioned whether “Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego” did not pay homage to the idolatrous figure of gold that he established.
When we consider the words in this verse, we learn through Daniel how King Nebuchadnezzar asked “Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego” whether the accusation the Chaldeans brought against them was valid. He wanted to know whether they did not minister nor pay homage to the idol made of gold that he erected. King Nebuchadnezzar ordered everyone in his kingdom to obey him and his commands, and “Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego” were not complying. We shall see why in the verses ahead, but for now let us be reminded that God wants us to be in a personal relationship with Him through His Son Jesus who died on the cross for the sins of all mankind and was raised from the dead after three days. When we obey His way of salvation, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life give us His Holy Spirit to guide us into all truth so that we always worship Him and no other gods.
Next time Daniel shares how King Nebuchadnezzar said, “if you worship not, you shall be cast the same hour into the midst of a burning fiery furnace”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.
Until tomorrow…there is more…
See more devotionals on the website "thewordfortodaywithray.com" or look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".
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