1 “The Image Of Gold And The Fiery Furnace” Daniel 3:1-30 Message by Michael J. Barnard January 31, 2016 Teaching Aim: To examine the story of three young men who remained faithful to God in spite of tremendous persecution from King Nebuchadnezzar. To see how God blessed and protected them, even after they had been thrown into a fiery furnace. To realize God will deliver His people either from death or through death, but the good news is in the end we win! DIGGING DEEPER INTO GOD’S WORD (BIBLE STUDY) Part I: Nebuchadnezzar builds a massive image of gold and commands it be worshiped (Dan. 3:1-7) 1. In Daniel chapter 2 describes King Nebuchadnezzar as having a recurring dream of a gigantic statue of a man made out of different metals; Daniel informed the king that the head of gold represented him. What do we find King Nebuchadnezzar doing in Dan. 3:1? How high and wide was this image in feet? 2. According to verses 2 & 3, who did King Nebuchadnezzar invite to attend this dedication? Was this really an invitation or was it compulsory? What was the king’s purpose in having these governmental officials present at the dedication? How are the actions of Nebuchadnezzar similar to those of the Antichrist in the last days? (See Rev. 13:14-17) 3. How would the people know when to begin worshiping (vv. 4 & 5)? Is worship still being introduced by music today? What four instruments are mentioned in verse 5? What do we know about the “lyre” and “psaltery”? (See Dictionary) Was worshiping this image optional for those present (vs. 6)? What would happen if they didn’t worship the image? According to Jer. 29:21-22, was burning people alive a common practice of the Babylonians? Is this practice still being carried out in that part of the world today? If so, by whom? 4. What did all the people but three do when the music began to play (vs. 7)? Why would it be advantageous for Nebuchadnezzar to have all of his subjects worshiping the same god? How could the worship of this image calm dissension throughout the Empire? How will Antichrist use a similar tactic in the last days?
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“TheImageOfGoldAndTheFieryFurnace”Daniel3:1-30
MessagebyMichaelJ.Barnard January31,2016Teaching Aim: To examine the story of three youngmen who remained faithful to God in spite oftremendous persecution from King Nebuchadnezzar. To see how God blessed and protected them,evenaftertheyhadbeenthrownintoafieryfurnace.TorealizeGodwilldeliverHispeopleeitherfromdeathorthroughdeath,butthegoodnewsisintheendwewin!
amanmadeoutof differentmetals;Daniel informed the king that theheadof gold representedhim.WhatdowefindKingNebuchadnezzardoinginDan.3:1?Howhighandwidewasthisimageinfeet?
really an invitation or was it compulsory? What was the king’s purpose in having thesegovernmentalofficialspresentatthededication?HowaretheactionsofNebuchadnezzarsimilartothoseoftheAntichristinthelastdays?(SeeRev.13:14-17)
inessence?HowdoShadrach,Meshach,andAbed-Negorespondtothisarrogance(vs.16)?Werethethreeyoungmenwillingtocompromisetheirfaithandsavetheir lives,orweretheywillingtodie if that’s what it took to remain faithful to God? What are some ways that you’vecompromisedyourfaithinthepast?(See1John1:9)
2. Inhis angerKingNebuchadnezzarobviouslywasn’t thinking clearly (vs. 19). Ifhe reallywanted tomake the men suffer, would he have heated the furnace seven times (an idiom for “as hot aspossible”),orwouldhehavecooleditdownalittle?Why?
7. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego were in the furnace because they had disobeyed the king’s
orders;dotheyobeyhisordersinverse26?Why?
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8. The king and thosewithhimhadwitnessed an incrediblemiracle. Who gatheredwith the king aswitnessestothemiraclewhenthethreemencameoutofthefire(vs.27)? Wheredidthefourthman[theheavenlybeing]go?WhatdidthepeopleexaminingtheyoungJewishmennotice?Howdifficultisittogetridofthesmellofsmokeafteritgetsintoourclothing?Whatcanwelearnaboutthecompletenessofthismiraclefromtheconditionofthemenwhentheycameout?
9. How does King Nebuchadnezzar respond to the miracle in verse 28? Who did Nebuchadnezzar
10. What violent decree doesKingNebuchadnezzarmake afterwitnessing thismiracle first hand (vs.
29)? Do you think this miracle took the steam out of Nebuchadnezzar’s dedication of hismagnificent90-foottallgoldenimage?Ifso,how?WhatbecamethepenaltyforspeakingagainsttheGodof Shadrach,Meshach, andAbed-Nego? (Notice: Once againGodprotected the Jewishpeople.)
