_Nebuchadnezzar, the king, made an image of gold._ GIGANTIC IDOLS We are not without historical confirmation of the narrative as to the existence of gigantic idols of gold among the Babylonians. Herodotus writes that in his day there was at Babylon an idol image of gold twelve cubics high; and, wha... [ Continue Reading ]
_Then Nebuchadnezzar, the king, sent to gather together the princes, the governors._ SOCIETY Society, the union of the many for the interest of all, seems ever to have been a principal object of God’s care and protection. His providence, in the order of nature, is manifestly directed to gather men... [ Continue Reading ]
_To you it is commanded, O people._ THE IMPORTANCE OF THE IMPERATIVE We cannot do without this word “command” in our religious education. It is a Divine word. It would be instructive to trace the history of that term, and to study its meaning in the various relations which it assumes. The Bible is... [ Continue Reading ]
_The sound of the cornet, flute, harp._ EASTERN MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS The instruments enumerated here are mostly still in use in the present time, but some of them have become obsolete. The cornet is a brass trumpet manufactured in the country, and used in martial music. There are several kinds of fl... [ Continue Reading ]
_O king, live for ever._ THE GOLDEN IMAGE SET UP These last words, “O king, live for ever,” were designed by those who uttered them as the expression of the most gross and servile adulation, and they were doubtless regarded by the monarch to whom they were addressed as the spontaneous effusion of... [ Continue Reading ]
_They serve not thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up._ THE GOLDEN IMAGE In last chapter we read of an image which Nebuchadnezzar saw in vision. In this chapter our attention is directed to an actual image which that monarch erected in honour of his gods. This image was made... [ Continue Reading ]
_If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace._ OUR SURE DEFENCE These souls were under the strongest possible temptation to do that which would have been an act of utter unfaithfulness to God, and which would have cost them their own self-respect. Had th... [ Continue Reading ]
_That we will not serve thy gods._ CHRISTIAN DECISION Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego were three very young men, worshippers of the true God, living in a heathen land! They were exposed to much persecution and distress on account of their religion, yet they were enabled to act with faithfulness an... [ Continue Reading ]
_That they should heat the furnace one seven times more than it was wont to be heated._ THE FIERY FURNACE I. THE PERSON WHO CAUSED IT TO BE MADE. This Oriental despot was then in the zenith of his glory. He was the acknowledged master of the world. The pomp and pageantry, of that religious gatheri... [ Continue Reading ]
_Then Nebuchadnezzar the king was astonished._ THE ASTONISHMENT OF NEBUCHADNEZZER AS HE LOOKED INTO THE FIERY FURNACE Consider the causes of his astonishment. I. HE WAS ASTONISHED AT THE NUMBER HE BEHELD IN THE FURNACE “Lo! I see four men; and the form of the fourth is like the Son of God!” Some h... [ Continue Reading ]
_Lo, I see four men loose, walking in the midst of the fire._ CONSOLATION IN THE FURNACE The narrative of the glorious boldness and marvellous deliverance of the three holy children, or rather champions, is well calculated to excite in the minds of believers firmness and steadfastness in upholding... [ Continue Reading ]
_Then Nebuchadnezzar spake, and said, Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego, who hath sent His angel and delivered His servants._ THE PERSECUTING SPIRIT The occasion of these words must be too well known to be repeated in all its circumstances. I. THE PARTICULAR CAUSE OF THE GREAT... [ Continue Reading ]
_There is no other God that can deliver after this sort._ THE GREAT DELIVERER These are the words of a heathen king. They are not the less welcome to us on that account, but perhaps the more so. The testimony of a saint has, of course, its special value, but the witness of a sinner has a worth all... [ Continue Reading ]
_Then the king promoted Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego in the province of Babylon._ SHADRACH, MESHACH, AND ABED-NEGO Whenever we hear of anyone’s appointment to a Government place, the first question we ask is, How did he get it? generally, in order to ascertain whether or not we have at command... [ Continue Reading ]