Whoever Doesn't Worship the Idol - Daniel 3:6

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” and “then an herald cried aloud, to you it is commanded, O people, nations, and languages, that at what time you hear the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, dulcimer, and all kinds of music, you fall down and worship the golden image that Nebuchadnezzar the king has set up“, and in chapter three and verse six of his book Daniel shared how the herald told the people, “whoso falls not down and worships shall … be cast into the midst of a burning fiery furnace” where we read,

And whoso falls not down and worships

shall the same hour be cast into the midst of a burning fiery furnace.

The verse reads, “And whoso falls not down and worships ...” Daniel began with the words, “and whoso falls not down”or “and whatever person whether male or female who does not bow down and prostrate themselves” “and worships”which means “and gives homage” the following will happen to them. Daniel said the “herald” told the people who were standing before the golden idolatrous figure that whoever among them that did not bow down and give homage would have the following happen.

The verse continues, “... shall the same hour be cast into the midst of a burning fiery furnace.” Daniel added the words, “shall the same hour” which means “will within the selfsame moment” “be cast into the midst” or “be thrown into the middle” “of a burning fiery furnace” which means “of a hot, ardent, fervent and painful fire-place”. Daniel said the “herald” told the people before the “golden” image if they did not bow down and “worship” the idol, they would be thrown into an ardent and fervent fire-place. 

When we meditate upon the words in this verse, we learn through Daniel how the “herald” told the crowd of people that they were to prostrate themselves and give homage to the golden idol that was set up by King Nebuchadnezzar at the time they heard the musical instruments playing. Then he added that if they did not bow down and “worship” the idol, they would be thrown into a burning hot “fiery furnace”. Imagine receiving such a threat. God's way is not to force people to worship Him. He desires a personal intimate relationship with everyone, and He sent His Son Jesus into the world to die on the cross for the sins of all mankind to make that possible. He raised Jesus from the dead three days later, and when we put our faith and trust in Him as our “Savior and Lord”, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and give us the ability and strength through His Holy Spirit to resist bowing down and worshiping anything other than Him.

Next time Daniel shares what happened, “at that time, when all the people heard the sound of the cornet”, 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".