Daniel
Lesson 3Daniel 3
We continue our study of Daniel with a look at Daniel Chapter 3 and an example of what it means to have complete faith in God. In our last lesson, we saw Daniel put his complete trust in God so that he could interpret the dream of Nebuchadnezzar. In lesson, his three friends, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego demonstrate their faith in God.
Read Daniel 3:1-30, and consider the following:
- Following Daniel’s prophetic interpretation of King Nebuchadnezzar’s dream, which had a statue with a head of gold, the King actually builds an image of gold and requires that it be worshipped by all. What was the size of this image in feet?
- Given the above dimensions, what did the image likely look like?
- Where was the image set up?
- The King ordered eight classes of officials to attend the dedication. What positions did each of these eight classes hold within the empire?
- What can we infer about King Nebuchadnezzar from his command to "fall down and worship the image"?
- What is described in Daniel 3:8? Why was it specifically cited that the three who did not fall down and worship were "the Jews"?
- Did Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego understand the importance of what the king wanted them to do, and what would happen if they did not do it? (see Dan. 3:13-15)
- What was Nebuchadnezzar quoted as saying in Daniel: 3:15 which indicates he thought that he was above all the gods, including the God of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego?
- What was the response of the three to Nebuchadnezzar?
- Nebuchadnezzar ordered that the fire be fed and stoked to a temperature seven times hotter then normal. Why do you suppose that he ordered it to be that hot?
- What happened to the men who threw them into the fire, and what happened to Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego?
- How many men did the King see walking around in the fire?
- King Nebuchadnezzar himself proclaimed the gospel, but never actually accepted God as his God. What is Nebuchadnezzar quoted as saying in Daniel 3:29?
So just as with Abraham, who was asked to sacrifice his only son, so too these three, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego remained strong in their faith in God, not hesitant in the face of certain death. Correspondingly, the Bible tells us that " What is impossible with men is possible with God." (Luke 18:27) We see how remarkable their faith was, and we see that truly nothing is impossible with God.
Thanks again for studying with us. Have a great week everyone!
In Christ,
Wes
[2012]