In the book of Daniel, Daniel speaking of Nebuchadnezzar shared how, “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 you could reveal this secret. 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”, and in chapter two and verse forty-eight of his book, Daniel said, “Daniel requested of the king, and he set Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, over the affairs of the province of Babylon” where we read,
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.
The verse reads, “Then Daniel requested of the king, and he set Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, over the affairs of the province of Babylon:” Daniel began with the words, “then Daniel” or “at that time Daniel whose name means God is my judge” “requested of the king” which means “sought, asked and made petition of the royal ruler and leader, Nebuchadnezzar”, “and he set Shadrach” or “and he, King Nebuchadnezzar, placed, fixed and established Hananiah or Shadrach whose name means royal or the great scribe”, “Meshach” or Mishael whose name means “guest of the king”, “and Abednego” or “Azariah” whose name means “servant of Nebo” “over the affairs” or “above the work, service, rituals and business” “of the province of Babylon” which means “pertaining to the region and district belonging to Babylon whose name means confusion (by mixing) and was known as Babel or Babylon, the ancient site and/or capital of Babylonia (modern Hillah) situated on the Euphrates”. Daniel shared how asked King Nebuchadnezzar for permission to exalt “ Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego” to rule above the service and business conducted in the region of “Babylon”.
The verse continues, “but Daniel sat in the gate of the king.” Daniel added the words, “but Daniel” which means “however, nonetheless, notwithstanding and moreover Daniel whose name means God is my judge” “sat in the gate” or “was seated, fixed and established within the door, court or palace” “of the king” which means “belonging to the royal ruler and leader, Nebuchadnezzar”. Daniel shared how he remained in the court or palace of King Nebuchadnezzar.
When we meditate upon Daniel's words in this verse, we learn how he asked King Nebuchadnezzar for positions for his fellow Hebrews, “Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego”, to rule over sections of the region of “Babylon”. Daniel was to remain in the palace with King Nebuchadnezzar while “Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego” ruled over the other business and service in the kingdom. Let us be reminded that these men were prayer partners with Daniel when he was pursuing God for the revelation and interpretation of King Nebuchadnezzar's dream, and now they were exalted to positions of power and authority. God was at work in the midst of this pagan kingdom, and He placed His servants right in the middle of it. He desires to be involved in our lives as well, and because we have sin in our lives that separate us from a personal relationship with Him, He sent His Son Jesus into the world to die on the cross for the sins of all mankind and to be raised from the dead after three days. When we surrender our lives to Him as our “Savior and Lord”, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and exalt us to positions of authority through His Holy Spirit according to His Divine purpose and will.
Next time we begin a new chapter and see how, “Nebuchadnezzar the king made an image of gold”, 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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