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[Daniel
Ch.3: The Fiery Furnace]
I.
Faith is Tested (3:1-12)
DAN
3:1 Nebuchadnezzar the king made an image of gold, whose height
was threescore cubits, and the breadth thereof six cubits
Problem: The recorded proportion of this image (60 x 6) is not average
proportion of a person.
Solution: The image was either an out-of-proportion creature, or included
a large pedestrial.
The archaeologist Oppert discovered large mounds called the mounds of Dura
in Babylonia. One rectilinear mound was a brick structure 20 feet high and
an exact square of 46 feet at the base, resembling the pedestrial of a
colossal statue. Could this be Nebuchadnezzar's image?
The image was 60 cubits high and 6 cubits broad, and 6 kinds of
instruments called the people to worship.
The mysterious number 666 was stamped on this image!
DAN
3:7 ...sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, and
all kinds of musick
Sackbut = a triangular four-stringed instrument
Dulcimer= similar to the Scottish "Bagpipe"
Psaltery= a stringed instrument
Nebuchadnezzar was a psychologist. On one side was a band, playing
soothing and attractive music. On the other side was the forbidding fiery
furnace, whose heat could be increased through an intricate system of
tunnels. The people were not given much choice.
DAN
3:7 ...all the people, the nations, and the languages, fell down
and worshipped the golden image
This image was made entirely of gold, whereas that in chapter 2 had only a
golden head. Here is a sign of defiance against God's plan. The king
wanted Babylon to last forever.
Nebuchadnezzar
now wanted to establish his own religion by setting up the image of a man.
One feature of this entire age after the Fall is the deification of man.
Satan enticed Adam and Eve with the words: "Ye shall be as
gods." Nimrod attempted the same thing, resulting in the first
building of Babylon.
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