In the book of Daniel, Daniel shared how Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego were thrown into the fiery furnace because they would not bow to nor 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. 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. Then the king promoted Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, in the province of Babylon”, and in chapter four and verse one of his book Daniel shared how King Nebuchadnezzar spoke to, “all people, nations, and languages, that dwell in all the earth” where we read,
Nebuchadnezzar the king, unto all people, nations, and languages, that dwell in all the earth;
Peace be multiplied unto you.
The verse reads, “Nebuchadnezzar the king, unto all people, nations, and languages, that dwell in all the earth;” Daniel began with the words, “Nebuchadnezzar the king” or “Nebuchadnezzar whose name means ‘may Nebo protect the crown’ and was the great king of Babylon who captured Jerusalem and carried Judah captive, the royal ruler and leader”, “unto all people” whose name means “to each, every and the whole of human beings both male and female”, “nations” or “tribes and people groups”, “and languages” whose name means “and tongues”, “that dwell in all the earth” or “who abide, live and inhabit each, every and the whole of the world”. Daniel shared the beginning of King Nebuchadnezzar’s address to every person, nation and tongue within the world.
The verse goes on to say, “Peace be multiplied unto you.” Daniel continued with the words, “peace be multiplied” which means “welfare, prosperity and well-being increase and grow great” “unto you” or “to you, people, nations and languages of the earth”. Daniel shared how King Nebuchadnezzar declared prosperity and well-being to increase among all the “people, nations and languages” in the world.
When we meditate upon the words in this verse, we learn through Daniel how King Nebuchadnezzar addressed all the people and groups in the world, and his desire was for them to prosper and have well-being. This is a wonderful greeting, and we shall see why King Nebuchadnezzar made this declaration as we continue in this chapter. For now let us consider the difference in tone and attitude of this pagan king. God is able to work with every person regardless of their past, and He does so through His Son Jesus who died on the cross for the sins of everyone and was raised from the dead after three days. When we surrender our lives to Him, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and change us from within by the work of His Holy Spirit to His glory and praise. (See 1 John 1:9)
Next time King Nebuchadnezzar says, “I thought it good to show the signs and wonders”, 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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