Boker Tov, and welcome in! Welcome to Mishkan Katan. Today, we will spend a few moments finishing up the final 3 verses of chapter 2 and then head on into chapter 3. Let’s open our Bibles and look at Daniel 2, verses 46-49.
46Then Nebukadnetsar the King fell on his face. He bowed down to Daniel, and he said to bring to him incense and gifts 47The King answered and said to Daniel: “In truth, your God is the God of gods and The Lord of Kings, and he has revealed secrets, for you were able to reveal this secret 48Then the King exalted Daniel and he gave him many gifts, and he gave him authority over all the land of Babel, and presented him Head over all, Chief over all the Generals of the armies and over all the wise men of Babel 49And Daniel implored the King, and he authorized Shadrak, Mishak and Abednego over the Servants of the province of Babel, and Daniel was at the gate of the King.
There is a difference of opinion here about Nebukadnetsar’s intent. Some believe that he was attempting to deify Daniel. Others disagree. Let me tell you a personal story.
A couple of months ago, two of my friends had a misunderstanding. One said some things to the other, and the other was hurt by what was said. The first one did not mean anything hurtful, but that was the outcome. When the hurt friend confronted the other friend about her words, the one who had said the things got down on one knee and grasped the friend’s hands as she asked for forgiveness. Now, I ask you, do you believe she got down on her knee in worship of the other woman. No, she was doing so to show her respect and to honor her as her friend.
I side with the sages who believe Nebuchadnezzar was NOT attempting to deify Daniel, but rather to honor him. Neb’s relief at learning the meaning of the dream was SO great, and his gratitude/respect SO immense, he fell on his face before Daniel, similar to how we might say to a fellow Jew “kol ha kavod”. The king followed this up to Daniel with tokens of his exaltation - - gifts and a huge promotion. Daniel was not only made the head of the wise men, but also over all the land of Babel, as the armies’ commander in chief. The key to the king’s true attitude lies in his words, which exalt Daniel’s GOD, not Daniel himself.
As his first official act, he requested that his three friends, his prayer posse, be similarly elevated to high positions. This bespeaks both wisdom and humility on Daniel’s part. He realized the prayers of his three stalwart friends had been instrumental in turning the heart of Father Yahweh to their combined petition. It reminds me of our Savior, praying in Gethsemane on the night He was taken by the Temple police. He had asked the three disciples, Peter, James and John, to pray with Him. Unlike these three Jewish teenaged friends of Daniel, the three disciples of Yeshua did not stand strong in prayer with Him.
Do you have a prayer posse? Are you part of someone else’s prayer posse? What a great blessing to pray with brothers and sisters in the faith! I am 100% certain we underestimate the power of our prayers to our Heavenly Father.
Allright, on to the next adventure in this compelling book of the Tanakh. Chapter 3 of Daniel, here we come!
1Nebukadnetsar the King, made one image of gold, its height sixty cubits, and its width six cubits, and he stood it in the plain of Dura in the land of Babel 2And Nebukadnetsar the King sent to gather the Generals of the armies, and the Lords, and the Governors, and the Chief Justices, and the Treasurers, and the Counselors, and the Magistrates and every authority of the city to come to the festival of the new image which Nebukadnetsar the King had raised 3Then were gathered all the Generals of armies, and Lords, and the Governors, and the Chief Justices, and the Treasurers, and the Counselors, and the Magistrates and every authority of the city, and they came to the festival of the new image which Nebukadnetsar King had raised, and they were standing before the image which King Nebukadnetsar had raised up 4And a Herald called with power and said: “You are commanded, nations and peoples and languages 5In the moment that you hear the sound of the trumpet, and the piping, and lyre, and harp and all kinds of music, you shall fall and you shall worship the image of gold which King Nebukadnetsar has raised up 6And whoever will not fall and worship, at that moment he will be thrown into a burning furnace of fire!” 7And at that moment the nations were hearing the sound of the trumpet, and the piping, and lyre, and harp, and bag pipes and all kinds of music, all the nations and peoples and languages were falling down, and they were worshiping the image of gold which Nebukadnetsar the King had raised.
Wouldn’t you like to know what ran through his brain to motivate Neb to erect this statue? Did he realize his actions would potentially cause thousands of people to commit idolatry? My moreh, Andrew Gabriel Roth, says, like several other commentators, that the statue was an image of Nebuchadnezzar himself, and that this was an attempt on his misguided part to accrue to himself the worship of the people of Babylon. Astounding.
The inspiration to construct an idol never comes from the Holy Spirit, because doing so violates the first two of the 10 Commandments/Statements. We need to remember this truth and examine our own lives on this point, routinely, because it is easy for idols to creep in and distance us from our relationship with our Heavenly Father.
Back to Neb....Of course, it goes without saying that people (mostly men in these positions) can tend to get a megalomaniac complex, a “god complex”, when they have the capacity to wield such power. I’m wondering if he had the statue made of gold because of his dream, since in his dream the head of gold was said to represent the Babylonian Empire. Coincidence? Hard to say.
This passage of verses puzzles me, for a few more reasons.
Where was Dura? (vs. 1)
Verses 2 and 3 seem remarkably redundant! I mean, verse 3 seems entirely unnecessary!
Here’s the other thing I find puzzling: Daniel was, according to the last verses of chapter 2, a very close advisor to the king. That being the case, Neb could not have erected this statue overnight. It was huge and made of precious metal! It would have taken some time to craft, to erect, and to get all those muckety-mucks, all those high kingdom officials, out there on the plain. Why was it that Daniel did not do anything to stop this, or to at least warn the king about idol worship? It could be he DID say something, which the king ignored. Scripture is silent, one way or another.
And, the final thing I find puzzling - - Daniel is absent from this story! Was he away on state business? Was he battling an extended illness?
Let’s see what the commentators say about these questions and “wonderings” of mine. Maybe some of these questions have occurred to you too.
We know that this incident happened on a large plain. However, Dura was a common name, sort of like Peachtree in the Atlanta, GA, area. The 19th century archeologist, Oppert, discovered a possible site about six miles SE of Babylon. It was there he discovered a huge brick square, which could have supported such a massive structure. The fact that this location was near the capital city is another indicator this could have been the place.
The Jewish sages generally have two schools of thought about this statue. The first, and most obvious, is that it was idolatrous and that the three dudes were obeying Torah by refusing to bow down to it. In addition to the command to “have no gods before me” from the 10 Statements, in the Mishnah, Tractate Sanhedrin 74a, the prevailing opinion was that a Jew should embrace martyrdom rather than to transgress by worshipping an idol. To become a martyr under such circumstances would be viewed as heroic. This school of thought postulates that Nebuchadnezzar was aware of the limited role his empire would play on the world stage and that he sought to change the course of the future by causing the Jews to reject their beliefs. Should that be the case, perhaps the almighty God would relent and look upon the Babylonians with more longevity and favor.
Another view holds that the event was held for the dedication of the image, which was merely for the glory of the king/Babylon, and not an idol, per se. That is, Neb was not seeking worship, but instead the glorification of Babylon, much as a national monument might inspire people to do today. The “worship” aspect would have been more along the lines of the other nations of the world submitting symbolically to Babylon. And, should this have been the case, perhaps this is why Daniel did not put a stop to it. It is also possible he did not know the king was going to demand people actually worship the image, in the religious sense. That could have been a rather last-minute change to the overall program.
Here’s another oddity, which I’ve not mentioned - - the shape of the statue. If you use the 21-inch “royal cubit”, it was 105 feet high (more than 10 stories) and only about 10.5 feet in diameter! This height to width ratio was common among Egyptian obelisks. The sages say that it kept toppling over, so that a base was required to stabilize it. Rabbi Bevai said that the Babylonians took all the gold in Jerusalem, melted it down and poured a base for this statue, thereby fulfilling the prophecy of Ezekiel 7:19, which says, “Their gold will be for an object of disgust.” Was it solid gold? Or, merely gold-plated. If solid gold, it would have cost (by today’s standard) around $300 million.
The titles listed in verses 2 and 3 are given in descending order from most important/powerful to less. Since some of the terms are used elsewhere in Scripture, their meanings can be pretty accurately ascertained. Others have no other context; therefore, their meanings can only be approximated, as the actual meanings have been lost to time.
A satrap was the ruler of one of the 127 provinces of the Persian Empire. Rashi, a Jewish sage, translates the Hebrew as “duke”. Others say “field marshal” or “general”.
The next designation is “noble” or “deputy”. The third is “governor”. The last four are believed by some to be proper names, which is why they are not mentioned elsewhere in Scripture.
In verse 4, the proclamation is issued to three groups of people, who at first seem to be synonymous with one another. But, some sages differentiate between these three terms.
1. עם (ahm) indicates a people group with a common governmental or political system.
2. אמ׳א (ooomahYAH) indicates a people group united by a common religion.
3. לשנ׳א (lee-shah-nai-YAH) indicates a people group united by a common language.
As today, music was an important part of official ceremonies, and while we can’t be certain which instruments are being referred to, because translations differ, we can be sure it was a beautiful “symphony” that greeted the attendees.
Verse 6 - - Rebel Flambé! Bow or bake! Historians tell us that death in a large, flaming kiln was a common form of execution in Babylon. In fact, the sages say that Abraham faced the same type of execution when he refused to participate in idol worship before he left the land of Ur in Mesopotamia. The recalcitrant offenders would be turned into ash, no trace left of them, which was a symbolic, cautionary tale to others. No trace of the crime or rebellion that led to this type of horrible death.
This whole scene makes me think of the False Messiah of the last days, right before Mashiach returns to set up His earthly kingdom. Revelation 13 tells us that the FM will erect a statue of himself and that it will even be animated. Regardless, he will force all people to worship the image of the beast and to take his mark on their right hands or on their foreheads, “marking” them as belonging to him. Death will await those who refuse. Once again, a key story in the Tanakh is a preview of a similar story that looms in the future.
In America, we don’t actually “worship” our leaders, for the most part. Oh, we might buy an article of clothing that has the image of a favorite musician or politician on it. But, you may not know that in some countries, it is required to have a portrait of the nation’s leader in every home and/or business establishment. North Korea is an example of this.
Back to the next section of verses:
8And at that moment Chaldean men approached and they accused the Jews 9And they were saying to Nebukadnetsar the King: “Oh, King, live to eternity! 10You, oh, King, you have commanded that every person who hears the sound of the trumpet, and the piping, and lyre, and harp, and bagpipe and all kinds of music shall fall down and shall worship the image of gold that you have set up! 11And whoever will not fall down and worship in that moment will be thrown into a burning furnace of fire 12There are here men, Judeans, whom you have appointed over the affairs of the province of Babel: Shadrak, Mishak and Abednego. Those men have not esteemed you, oh King, and they do not serve your god, and they do not worship the image of gold that you have set up!”
Well, talk about “sticking out like a sore thumb”....the three Hebrew rulers were very obvious in their refusal to bow. Their fellow Chaldean counterparts, no doubt already quite jealous of them and their high governmental positions, lost no time in running to the king, tattle-taling all the way. In fact, no doubt their glee was so great that they were practically tripping all over each other to see who could get there first. Once there, they told their own jaundiced version of the events. The Hebrew phrase in verse 8 is literally translated, “They ate their winks.” Another way to look at that phrase is that they “made hinting noises”, or they “cast asperions”. What about the “eating” aspect, though? The sage, Rashi, interpreted this as having occurred over a meal with the king, since it was frequently seen that gossip occurred at mealtime, at the table. The partaking of food with a gossiper was a sign the gossip had been accepted. Proverbs 6:13 is a reference to gossip that is pertinent here: “he winks with his eyes.” This refers to slander, not to flirting. There was also ethnic disdain involved with their accusations. This akin to the person who, when hearing about the commission of a crime asks, “What color is the accused perpetrator.” The tattlers emphasized in their slander that these three brave young men were Judeans. Antisemitism has been going on for a long time, because it is demonic in origin.
Concerning their accusations: while two of the three things they said were true, I don’t believe it was true the three Hebrew Heroes did not esteem the King. In fact, I’m sure they did. However, their respect and esteem did not extend to worshipping the king’s idol or serving any of his other false gods.
And, now, to my question of “Where was Daniel?”
The Babylonian Talmud, in tractate Sanhedrin 93a discusses this among the rabbis. The consensus was that Daniel was away from Babylon when this incident occurred. Others theorize that Daniel was not present because his position was not included in the classes of attendees named. However, if he was in town at all, I believe he would have come to stand with his 3 friends, as they stood their ground before the king. It is inconceivable that he would have bowed before the idolatrous obelisk. Interestingly, with Daniel away or somehow out of the picture, it threw his three deputies into the spotlight, didn’t it? Sometimes, God shakes up the order of things sin order to allow others in your circle to step up. If you experience this, by all means step up when God opens doors for you!
13Then Nebukadnetsar the King, in anger and in rage, said to bring Shadrak, Mishak and Abednego, and they brought them before the King 14Nebukadnetsar the King answered and said to them: “In truth, Shadrak, Mishak and Abednego, do you not serve my god, and do you not bow down to the image of gold that I have set up? 15Now surely at the time when you will hear the sound of the trumpet and the piping and lyre and harp and bagpipes and all kinds of music, you are going to fall down and you shall worship the image that I have made, and if you will not worship, at that moment you shall be thrown inside a burning furnace of fire, and who is your God that will save you from my hands?”
It’s interesting to me the description of the king’s reaction. He was not merely angry. He was both angry AND furious! In other words, about as riled as he could be. When he sent for the three and saw who they were, no doubt he recognized them. He had evidently esteemed them highly enough to name them to high positions in his kingdom. From their prior performances he knew them to be loyal and dependable provincial officers. So, naturally, he concluded they must have misunderstood the instructions. Perhaps, they just needed clarification. “Is it true?” He could not believe his ears. The word translated true or truth is an unusual one. It carries a meaning of “desolation”. In other words, “Is my decree desolate (meaningless) in your eyes?” “Now surely....” the scripture goes on to say. The king was incredulous. Surely, these three were not going to “die on this mountain”, right? No mere “god” would warrant getting thrown into a fiery furnace.
Nebuchadnezzar was quite clear. He was unwilling to bend the rules, even for some of his favorite officials. Throughout this part of the story Nebuchadnezzar has revealed that humanity in general is quite expendable, as far as he was concerned. This intractability on the king’s part illustrates that no true conversion of heart had taken place for Nebuchadnezzar. His heart was still turned away from the one, true God of the Jews, Yahweh. And, at the end, it was as though he was taunting the three Hebrews with his question “who is your God that will save you from my hands?” It is insane to me that this king, with all his strutting and egotistical pontificating had not yet been humbled! As if HIS hands were greater than the God of Israel! He had NO idea whom he was messing with, did he?!
On the other hand, he did not have to give them a second chance to obey the edict at all. Based on their initial refusal, he could have sent them straight to the furnace. “Don’t pass GO. Don’t collect $200.” So, we have to give him credit for that, at least.
The spirit of God rested upon these young men, even in and especially in this hostile environment. Their boldness and courage is as great as any martyr, down through the ages, who has given his or her life for the glory of God. As many times as I have read their response, it still astounds me. Look....
16Shadrak, Mishak and Abednego answered and they were saying to Nebukadnetsar: “Oh King, we do not need an answer to give you on this matter 17Because our God whom we serve is able in power to save us from the burning furnace of fire, and he shall deliver us from your hands, oh King! 18But you shall know, oh King, that we do not serve your god, and we are not bowing down the image of gold that you have set up!”
16 Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego replied to the king saying, “O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to answer you concerning this matter. 17 If it is so, our God whom we serve is able to save us from the furnace of blazing fire and He will deliver us out of your hand, O king. 18 Yet even if He does not, let it be known to you, O king, that we will not serve your gods, nor worship the golden image that you set up.”
First of all, essentially, the guys had the hubris to address the king by his name. They didn’t start out with “O King live forever” or some other such obsequious intro. THEN, they told the king to his face that they didn’t owe him any explanation for their rebellious (although righteous) behavior. They did not even need to put their heads together about how to answer the king. No confer-ence between them was needed. As far as they were concerned their response was clear. It’s a miracle they were even allowed to continue speaking!
They go on to affirm respectfully but defiantly - - our God, He is able to save us. Not a shadow of a doubt! To save from any misfortune, from any calamity, from any sickness, accident, decree of man. He.Is.Able. But, wait, there’s more.
Astoundingly, they go on to confidently say, “He WILL deliver us from your hand, oh King.” One way or another, they were going to be “delivered”. They would either be rescued from the flaming kiln, the fiery furnace, without even a “smell of smoke” resting upon them. OR, they would be delivered from this earthly life to the heavenly abode, where they would forever dwell in the kingdom of the righteous. Either/Or. God would get His rightful glory, the glory this egomaniacal earthly king was attempting to steal. And, these champions of faith, Shadrach, Meshach and Abedneggo, seemed equally confident and content with either option.
Be clear on this point. Their “but if not” was not a statement of doubt on the three Hebrew children’s part. Their “but if not” was their flaming declaration of sterling faith, of acceptance and peace in the face of whatever God’s perfect plan turned out to be. Don’t ever be afraid to include in your prayer requests the “but if not” option.
Recently, within the space of a month, my local Messianic prayer group lost two of its members, both to cancer, both for whom many, many prayers for healing and restoration of life here on earth had been lifted. We prayed for removal of the cancer, for restoration of earthly bodies. Along with that, we prayed for the Lord’s perfect will to be done in each dear friend’s life. The Lord answered our prayers, but He said, “I’ve got something better planned for them.”
In contemporary Jewish practice, when a loved one dies, it is said, “He is the righteous Judge,” referring to God Himself. It is an expression of confidence in the holy justice of God. Likewise, the mourner’s prayer, recited often in the days following the death of a loved one affirms the sovereignty and majesty of our amazing God. Here is an English translation, which I took from MyJewishLearning.com.
Glorified and sanctified be God’s great name throughout the world
which He has created according to His will.
May He establish His kingdom in your lifetime and during your days,
and within the life of the entire House of Israel, speedily and soon;
and say, Amen.
May His great name be blessed forever and to all eternity.
Blessed and praised, glorified and exalted, extolled and honored,
adored and lauded be the name of the Holy One, blessed be He,
beyond all the blessings and hymns, praises and consolations that
are ever spoken in the world; and say, Amen.
May there be abundant peace from heaven, and life, for us
and for all Israel; and say, Amen.
He who creates peace in His celestial heights,
may He create peace for us and for all Israel;
and say, Amen.
So, I cried through a funeral of a dearly beloved last month, and this week, I’ll participate musically in the funerals of two more who went on to be with their Beloved Savior and God in the past week. Blessed be the name of the Lord. Our broken hearts must let our incomparably good, loving and merciful God BE God, even in the midst of our sorrow. Even, like S, M and A, in the face of almost-certain death. Their faith exercised is about to become faith perfected.
Well, the king’s reaction is about what you might expect. We are out of time this week. So, we will have to wait for our next week’s session together in order to “see the salvation of the Lord!”
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