In the book of Daniel, Daniel shared how Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego would not bow to nor worship the golden image King Nebuchadnezzar set up, and “Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, answered and said to the king, O Nebuchadnezzar, we are not careful to answer you in this matter. 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 your hand, O king. But if not, be it known unto you, O king, that we will not serve your gods, nor worship the golden image which you have set up”, and in Daniel chapter three and verse nineteen of his book Daniel shared how “Nebuchadnezzar” was “full of fury”, where we read,
Then was Nebuchadnezzar full of fury, and the form of his visage was changed against Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego: therefore he spoke, and commanded that they should heat the furnace one seven times more than it was wont to be heated.
The verse reads, “Then was Nebuchadnezzar full of fury, and the form of his visage was changed against Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego:” Daniel began with the words, “then was Nebuchadnezzar” or “at that time Nebuchadnezzar whose name means may Nebo protect the crown” “full of fury” which means “filled with anger and rage”, “and the form of his visage” or “and the shape of his countenance or face” “was changed against Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego”which means “existed as different, altered and transformed in opposition to Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego”. Daniel shared how King Nebuchadnezzar was filled with rage and his countenance was altered in opposition to “Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego”.
The verse goes on to say, “therefore he spoke, and commanded that they should heat the furnace one seven times more than it was wont to be heated.” Daniel continued with the words, “therefore he spoke” which means “wherefore, then and at that time he, King Nebuchadnezzar, replied, responded and answered”, “and commanded” or “and told, instructed and ordered” “that they should heat the furnace” which means “that they, King Nebuchadnezzar's servants, were to kindle and heat up the fire-place” “one seven times more” or “seven times greater in heat” “than it was wont to be heated”which means “compared to the usual amount of heat it produced”. Daniel said King Nebuchadnezzar made a proclamation and ordered that his servants were to make the “burning fiery furnace” seven times hotter than it's normal amount.
When we think through Daniel's words in this verse, we discover that King Nebuchadnezzar was so furious that he ordered the “fiery furnace” to be heated seven times greater than the usual amount. Not only was he going to burn “Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego”, but he was going to insure that there was nothing left of them. Let us be reminded that God was aware of all of these things, and He would show Himself powerful and strong in the verse ahead. God loves people, and His desire is to have an intimate personal relationship with us 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 yield to Him, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and give us His Holy Spirit who will guide us into all truth and help us to know He will be with us always and never forsake us regardless of how threatening those who oppose us may be. (See Matthew 28:20)
Next time Daniel shares how, “Nebuchadnezzar” “commanded the most mighty men that were in his army … to cast them into the 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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