In the book of Daniel, Daniel shared how, “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”, and in chapter three and verse two of his book Daniel shared how, “Nebuchadnezzar the king sent to gather together” where we read,
Then Nebuchadnezzar the king sent to gather together the princes, the governors, and the captains, the judges, the treasurers, the counsellors, the sheriffs, and all the rulers of the provinces, to come to the dedication of the image which Nebuchadnezzar the king had set up.
The verse reads, “Then Nebuchadnezzar the king sent to gather together the princes, the governors, and the captains, the judges, the treasurers, the counselors, the sheriffs, and all the rulers of the provinces, ...” Daniel began with the words, “then Nebuchadnezzar the king” or “at that time Nebuchadnezzar whose name means 'may Nebo protect the crown' and was the royal ruler and leader of Babylon who captured Jerusalem and carried Judah captive” “sent to gather together”which means “dispatched a message to collect and assemble” “the princes” or “the satraps and leaders”, “the governors”which refers to “the prefects” ,“and the captains” or “and the chiefs”, “the judges” which refers to “the diviners or astrologers”, “the treasurers” which means “the ones overseeing the treasures”, “the counselors” or “the lawyers or interpreters of the law”, “the sheriffs” which refers to “the judicial magistrates”, “and all the rulers” or “and each, every, the whole and every one of the lords or officials” “of the provinces” which means “belonging to the regions and districts”. Daniel shared how “King Nebuchadnezzar” dispatched a message that all the leaders within the land of Babylon were to be assembled with one another.
The verse continues, “... to come to the dedication of the image which Nebuchadnezzar the king had set up.” Daniel added the words, “to come to the dedication” which means “to be brought to the consecration” “of the image” or “pertaining to the idolatrous figure” “which Nebuchadnezzar the king” which means “that Nebuchadnezzar whose name means may Nebo protect the crown” “had set up” or “had stood, erected, appointed and established”. Daniel said King Nebuchadnezzar called upon every leader within the land of Babylon to be brought to the consecration of the idolatrous figure of gold that he established.
When we consider the words in this verse, we learn through Daniel how King Nebuchadnezzar not only built the idolatrous figure of gold, but he also wanted every leader and official in the land of Babylon to come to the consecration of it. King Nebuchadnezzar desired to continue his absolute rule in Babylon, and everyone in official positions were to recognize it. King Nebuchadnezzar put aside the fact that God Almighty was in control, and his effort to have people come to the dedication of his image was in effect a direct assault upon the power of God. God wants to be in a personal intimate relationship with us through His Son Jesus who died on the cross for our sins and was raised from the grave after three days. When we submit to Him, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and keep us from “idols” to give our allegiance and worship to Him and Him alone.
Next time Daniel shares how the leaders were, “gathered together unto the dedication of the image that Nebuchadnezzar the king had set up”, 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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