Study From the Book of Daniel,3

                               Study From the Book of Daniel, 3

Today is the third part of this series where we study chapter three and as usual, we pick up two biblical principles and their lessons that are useful in biblical counselling.

 Nebuchadnezzar made a statue of gold: sixty cubits hight and six cubits width and order the people in his empire to bow to it when they hear the music of instruments. All did but not the three Jewish friends of Daniel (apparently Daniel was away at that time). The Jewish young men is a model of confidence in God and submission to His will. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego recognised God’s sovereignty and power. Because they did not bow to the statue, Nebuchadnezzar ordered they should be cast into the burning of fiery furnace. However, God saved them and the fire burned off the men’s bonds, but did not hurt them.

The God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abdo-Nago saved them completely, so that there was not the slightest evidence that they had ever been in danger. The salvation offered by the Lord is so effective and complete that nothing of the lost condition remains.

When King Nebuchadnezzar looked, there were four men not there and he exclaimed that the fourth man walking about the fiery furnace was “like the Son of God.” Nebuchadnezzar somehow knew that this mysterious fourth figure was divine.

Structure:

Verses 1-7: the image of Gold.

Verses 8-18: Daniel's friends disobey the king.

Verses 19-25: saved in fiery trial

Verses 26-29: Nebuchadnezzar praises God.

Principle 5 verse 3:15: “---And who is the god who will deliver you from my hands."

Lesson 5: Nebuchadnezzar could not conceive of a deity with the power to frustrate his wishes. Hadn’t he already destroyed Jerusalem, where the temple of the Lord had been? God would not let his arrogant challenge stand.

Principle 6:” ---God –sent His angel and delivered His servants who trusted in Him.”

Lesson 6: Nebuchadnezzar notice at least two things about the three young men: they served God (they went to work for Him) and trusted God (they placed their lives in His hands). God loves to rescue people like them (3/9/2023).