In the book of Daniel, Daniel shared how Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego were thrown into the fiery furnace because they would not bow to or worship the golden image King Nebuchadnezzar set up, and afterward “the princes, governors, and captains, and the king's counselors, being gathered together, saw these men, upon whose bodies the fire had no power, nor was an hair of their head singed, neither were their coats changed, nor the smell of fire had passed on them. Then Nebuchadnezzar spoke, and said, Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, who has sent his angel, and delivered his servants that trusted in him, and have changed the king's word, and yielded their bodies, that they might not serve nor worship any god, except their own God”, and in chapter three and verse twenty-nine of his book Daniel shared how Nebuchadnezzar said, “every people, nation, and language, which speak any thing amiss against the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, shall be cut in pieces, and their houses shall be made a dunghill” where we read,
Therefore I make a decree, That every people, nation, and language, which speak any thing amiss against the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, shall be cut in pieces, and their houses shall be made a dunghill: because there is no other God that can deliver after this sort.
The verse reads, “Therefore I make a decree, That every people, nation, and language, which speak any thing amiss against the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, ...” Daniel began with the words, “therefore I make a decree” or “wherefore, then and on this account I, Nebuchadnezzar, make, appoint and set a judgment and command”, “that every people” which means “that each, the whole and all human beings”, “nation” or “people groups and tribes”, “and language” which means “and tongues”, “which speak any thing amiss” or “who utters, declares and proclaims neglectful, erroneous and faulty words” “against the God” which means “in opposition to the Supreme Deity” “of Shadrach” which means “belonging to Shadrach whose name means royal or the great scribe”, “Meshach” or “guest of the king”, “and Abednego” whose name means “and servant of Nebo” will have the following happen to them. Daniel shared how King Nebuchadnezzar declared a command which stated that no one among all the “people, nations and tongues” was to say anything faulty and and erroneous in opposition to the Supreme Deity belonging to “Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego” otherwise the following would occur.
The verse goes on to say, “... shall be cut in pieces, and their houses shall be made a dunghill: because there is no other God that can deliver after this sort.” Daniel continued with the words, “shall be cut in pieces” which means “will be executed and divided into particles and parts”, “and their houses” or “and their, the people or groups', habitations, abodes and dwelling places” “shall be made a dunghill” which means “will be set and become refuse and foul outhouses”:“because there is no other God” or “since and on account that there does not exist another Supreme Deity” “that can deliver after this sort” which means “who is able to rescue and save in this manner”. Daniel shared how King Nebuchadnezzar declared that anyone who spoke falsely in opposition to the Supreme Deity of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego would not only be executed and divided into parts, but also their homes would become outhouses.
When we think through Daniel's words in this verse, we learn how King Nebuchadnezzar made a declaration to the “people, nations and languages” of the world that if they spoke anything falsely or in opposition to the Supreme Deity of “Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego”, they would not only be cut into small particles, but would also have their homes turned into outhouses. This may seem extreme, but it is in keeping with the demeanor of King Nebuchadnezzar. We shall see more of how Jehovah God humbles him in our future verses, but for now let us consider the difference between Nebuchadnezzar at this point compared to his past. Nebuchadnezzar was progressively getting closer and closer to an understanding of who God is and his desire to save every person. God loves people, and when we yield our lives to His Son Jesus who died on the cross for the sins of all mankind and was raised from the dead after three days, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and put His Holy Spirit in us to lead and guide us into His truth and empower us to live in a manner that is pleasing to Him.
Next time Daniel shares how Nebuchadnezzar, “promoted Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego”, 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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