King Nebuchadnezzar made a golden statue sixty cubits high and six cubits wide, and he set it up on the plain of Dura in the province of Babylon. Sermons
1. The image, built up and appearing in due time amid the phenomena of this material world. 2. The idea for which it stands, existing really enough in the mind of the king and those who thought with him. The image most likely stood for "Bel," the "world-power" that had (as the king imagined) given him all his greatness. The idea may have been, was, false, but it had nevertheless a real and influential subjective existence. 3. The author of first the idea, and then of the image, viz. the prince referred to in John 12:31; John 14:30; John 16:11; Ephesians 2:2, and elsewhere. All this we shall find very suggestive; for to this hour men have never ceased to set up images for the homage of their fellow-men. I. THE IDOL EVER NEW. Following the suggestion of the lines already laid down, note: 1. The creator. The prince of darkness. It is now the theological fashion to deny, at least to doubt, his existence. But such scepticism seems to us narrow. Surely all good and evil are not confined to earth; and as certainly these may have their influence in the world of men. The Bible implies right through that they have had and continue to have. 2. The intellectual creation. Erroneous thought. A false idea. An evil public opinion. Think of the enormous power exerted over life and speech and deed of man; e.g. What woman in China dares not to bandage and cripple her daughter's feet? At what terrible cost is caste broken in India? It required a William Loyd Garrison in the early anti-slavery days to protest against the wicked public opinion of the South, with which there was complicity in the North, and then literally at the peril of his life. The sway of anti-theistic, anti-Christian, anti-philanthropic opinion is nothing short of despotic; e.g. recent treatment of Virchow by the evolutionists of Germany. 3. The sensible form. Forms of speech, of action, habit of life, modes of work, forced by false public opinion on men, against which only a faithful few are sometimes found to rebel. These idols are set up to rule everywhere; e.g. in the realm of domestic administration, of social life, in the various Churches, in the life of the nation, and even to domineer over the international relations of men. II. THE NIMBUS OF THE IDOL. In the old mythologies a cloud of light was often seen, or supposed to be seen, around the persons of the deities. So was it with this image which Nebuchadnezzar set up. One cannot read these opening verses without being struck with the halo of splendour thrown around the idol. Majesty of size, brilliance of material, commanding conspicuousness, marked the image itself. With endless iteration - like the refrain of a song - we are told it was "the golden image that Nebuchadnezzar the king had set up." Royalty sanctioned it. The aristocracy was on its rode. Education and literature bowed before it (ver. 8). The people endorsed the worship. All that the world could do, by calling together mighty concourses of people, by pomp of ceremonial, by elaborate musical performance, was done, to give eclat to the idolatry. So is it with all the forms of nineteenth-century idolatry. Kings, princes, peoples, the literary and educated classes, as by one consent, in many ways, after many fashions, join to glorify the image that public opinion, alienated from God, uninspired by his Spirit, too often sets up. Peoples can make images as readily as kings. III. THE IMMINENT PENALTY. Enumerate the burning fiery furnaces which modern devotees of the image kindle for them who will not bow down; e.g. losses in business, social exclusion, denial of political rights, persecutions petty and malignant in many forum. IV. THE GENERAL PROSTRATION. V. THE FAITHFUL FEW. CONCLUSIONS. 1. Be no party to the setting up. 2. Be you one not to bend the knee. - R.
Nebuchadnezzar, the king, made an image of gold. — 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, what is still more remarkable, another authority, obviously speaking of the same statue, mentions that every stranger was obliged to worship it before he was allowed to enter the city. Diodorus Siculus mentions an image found in the temple of Bolus forty feet high, which some think was the same as the golden image of Nebuchadnezzar. Other images almost parallel in magnitude are mentioned in history. The Colossus of Nero was one hundred and ten feet high. The Colossus of Rhodes was seventy cubits high, and was considered one of the seven wonders of the world. According to classic story, it took thirteen years to construct this colossus; and on its being thrown down by an earthquake, so great was its weight, it ploughed up the ground, and buried itself under the ground. These historical facts show that such images were not unusual, and that it was not impossible to construct such by ancient art. The Colossus of Nero and of Rhodes were not, however, of gold; nor do we suppose that the image of Nebuchadnezzar was of solid gold. It must have been either hollow, or made of wood and covered with gold. It does not appear that the ancients made any but small images of solid gold. The proportions of this image are out of order, unless we understand the height to include the thickness of the pedestal, which it seems to me we should do.(W. A. Scott, D.D.) People Abednego, Daniel, Meshach, Nebuchadnezzar, Obadiah, ShadrachPlaces Babylon, DuraTopics Babylon, Breadth, Cubits, Dura, Gold, Height, Hight, Image, Nebuchadnezzar, Nebuchadnez'zar, Nine, Ninety, Plain, Province, Raised, Six, Sixty, Thereof, Threescore, Valley, Wide, WidthOutline 1. Nebuchadnezzar dedicates a golden image in Dura.3. They being threatened, make a good confession. 8. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego are accused for not worshipping the image. 19. They are cast into the furnace, 24. from which God delivers them. 28. Nebuchadnezzar seeing the miracle blesses God, and advances them. Dictionary of Bible Themes Daniel 3:1 4333 gold Library Harmless Fires'Then Nebuchadnezzar in his rage and fury commanded to bring Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego. Then they brought these men before the king. 14. Nebuchadnezzar spake and said unto them, Is it true, O Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego, do not ye serve my gods, nor worship the golden image which I have set up? 15. Now if ye be ready that at what time ye hear the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, and dulcimer, and all kinds of musick, ye fall down and worship the image which I have … Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture The Jordan: the Decisive Start. Matthew 3:13-17. Mark 1:9-1Luke Three Names High on the Muster-Roll The Song of the Three Children The Power and Triumph of Faith. Dan 3:06 The Lord Coming to his Temple The Second Commandment The Disciple, -- what is the Meaning and Purpose of the Cross... A Sermon on Isaiah xxvi. By John Knox. A Cloud of Witnesses. Fragrant Spices from the Mountains of Myrrh. "Thou Art all Fair, My Love; There is no Spot in Thee. " --Song of Solomon iv. 7. Daniel Links Daniel 3:1 NIVDaniel 3:1 NLT Daniel 3:1 ESV Daniel 3:1 NASB Daniel 3:1 KJV Daniel 3:1 Bible Apps Daniel 3:1 Parallel Daniel 3:1 Biblia Paralela Daniel 3:1 Chinese Bible Daniel 3:1 French Bible Daniel 3:1 German Bible Daniel 3:1 Commentaries Bible Hub |
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