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. 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? Now if you be ready that at what time you hear the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, and dulcimer, and all kinds of music, you fall down and worship the image which I have made; well: but if you worship not, you 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?”, and in Daniel chapter three and verse sixteen of his book Daniel shared how Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, answered Nebuchadnezzar, “we are not careful to answer you in this matter” where we read,
Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, answered and said to the king, O Nebuchadnezzar,
we are not careful to answer you in this matter.
The verse reads, “Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, answered and said to the king, O Nebuchadnezzar, ...” Daniel began with the word, “Shadrach” or “royal or the great scribe”, “Meshach” whose name means “guest of the king”, “and Abednego” or “and servant of Nebo”, “answered and said to the king” which means “responded, replied, uttered, declared and proclaimed to the royal ruler and leader”, “O Nebuchadnezzar” or “O Nebuchadnezzar whose name means 'may Nebo protect the crown' and was the great king of Babylon who captured Jerusalem and carried Judah captive”. Daniel shared how “ Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego” responded and uttered to the royal ruler “Nebuchadnezzar” the following words.
The verse continues, “we are not careful to answer you in this matter.” Daniel added the words, “we are not careful to answer you” which means “we, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, are in no way or manner cautious to reply and respond to you, King Nebuchadnezzar” “in this matter” or “within the command, affair or decree”. Daniel shared how“Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego” told King Nebuchadnezzar that they were not cautious about their response to his command.
When we think through the words in this verse, we learn through Daniel how “Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego” told King Nebuchadnezzar that they were not cautious about the way they would respond to his offer to have them bow down and worship the golden idol he set up. We shall see their response in our next verse, but let us admire again the resolve of these men. God is able to put this mindset in all of us when we yield to His Son Jesus who died on the cross for the sins of all mankind and was raised from the dead after three days. As we put our faith and trust in Him, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and give us the ability by His Holy Spirit to stand strong with great resolve in the midst of opposition when it rises against us.
Next time Daniel shares how Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, said to Nebuchadnezzar, “our God whom we serve is able to deliver us”, 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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