Daniel 3:12-18 There are certain Jews whom you have set over the affairs of the province of Babylon, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego; these men… The history of these three young men teach us the following lessons. 1. The children of respectable parents may be reduced to humble circumstances. 2. Children deprived of the protection of parents sometimes rise in the world and prosper. 3. Religion is the best preservative of youth when separated from their parents and friends. 4. The effects of early religious education is generally good. These young men's piety was very vigorous. Consider the power of the piety of these young men. I. ITS PRINCIPLE. It was attachment to the true God. 1. Their attachment to God was natural, and, therefore, strong. Man was made for God. What is unnatural is weak. Unnatural conformation of body is attended by weakness and pain. The body deprived of the natural means of support soon becomes feeble. Unnatural exercise of social affections wastes them. It is so with the moral powers. Idolatry is not natural to man. It is weakness. It cannot reason; it cannot distinguish between matter and mind. It holds no communion with spiritual worlds; it sinks the spirit; it robs God of His right, and man of happiness. God is to man all that his nature wants. 2. Their attachment was individual. 3. Their attachment was uniform. II. ITS MANIFESTATIONS. Is wonderful, if we consider. 1. Their destitution of religious means. Without public worship, parental protection exposed to the bigotry, example, society of idolaters. 2. The strength of their temptation. 3. The tenderness of their age. They were little more than twenty. 4. Their number was small. There were only three. But were one in life, death. III. ITS IMPRESSIONS on those who witnessed it. 1. The king admired their character. 2. Called attention to it. 3. Blessed God. 4. Promoted them. (Caleb Morris.) Parallel Verses KJV: There are certain Jews whom thou hast set over the affairs of the province of Babylon, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego; these men, O king, have not regarded thee: they serve not thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up. |
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