The National tribune., 1892-05-26
SUNDAY MEDITATION,
A Study of the International Sunday
School Lesson Appointed for June
5, 1892.

| ~, IOJA.
Subject: The Three Hebrew Children Cast
| Into the Fiery Furnace by Command o.
| ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS. Dam, 3 1926.
| Zone reading these notes should first carefully
study the paragraph from the Holy Scriptures as
indicated above.l .ra
INTRODUCTION.
The Hebrew associates of Daniel were Hama.
niah, NJ ishael and Azariah. 1:6. 49, But as
Nebuchadnezzar, through the Prince of the
Eunucbs changed the name of Daniel to Bette
shaZzar, so the names of his three companions
were replaced by Chaldee names-that of
Hananah becoming Shadrach that of Mishael,
Meshach; and that of Azariah, Abed nego.
BelteshaZzar means, the treasure of Bel, the
depository Of the secrets of Bel Ia Chaldee god
Shadrach means, the inspiration of the sun Ia
heathen object of Worship. Meshach means.
he who belongs to tho goddess Sheshach "a
Babylon deity. Abed-neeo means the servant
of Nego something like classic jupiter The
names were changed as a Babylon compliment.
1t was customary with Chaldeans when one
was promoted to special honor to give him a
new name. The names, however, given to
Daniel and his companions could not be toler-
ated ny Hebrews.
There is 10 question but that Nebuchadrez-
was very successful. Josephus tells us how
he triumphed in arms, and also narrates the
gories Of his acts in times of peace. Rawlin
son assures US nine. tentls of the bricks found
within and about Babylon bear tho name of
Nebuchadnezzar
The original of the account of the furnace
and Of the three Hebrew children is written
in the Syro- Chaldee language.
Studying this subject one should also read
"The Song of the Three Hebrew Children"
one of the books of Old Testament Apocrypha
The THREE HEBREW CHILDREN.
]. The Facts.
Daniel was carried off to Babylon about p.
c. Goa. He had been in captivity IS years
when the lesson of this week opened. He was
IL years old when made a prisoner Of war.
Hence we find him now 30 years or age. His
first three years at Babylon he spent col
lege student, in preparation for becoming an
attendant on King Nebnchadnezzar. Three
fellow Jewish captives were his schoolmates.
DAN, /: 6, ~ After the four graduated they
became connected with the Court Il 49,
While Daniel was yet at school, a mere boy of
about 10 Summers Nebnchadnezzar had a
dream. When he awoke, he had q deep i'm
preston from the dream. but yet was unable to
recall the dream itself. Not knowing the
dream, neither he nor his learned men could
state its significance. He assembled all his
magi "a: q and required of them to revive
tho dream and to explain its meaning. They
conld do neither Daniel, being Of the Chal-
dean school and destined to become n coun
selor of the King learned of the plight of the
magi, and knew under what wrath of Nebuchad-
nezzar they had come. He presents himself
to the King, after having besought Gods aid,
and volunteers to mako known to the KING
both the dream and its Interpretation. In re-
ward for his revelation, Nebuchadnezzar adj
vanccd him to great prominence in the Gov
ernment Then Daniel secured influential
positions for Shadracb, Meshach and Abed.
nego. (Read Chap. p
1t is supposed the event Of the lesson took
place about 5S7 3. C. Nebuchadnezzar had
been King of Babylon IS years Daniel and
his three captive frionis had been important
Governmental officials for nearly the same
length of time. Zedekab was King of Judah,
but just on the eve CT captivity. Jeremiah
was Prophet at Jerusalem, and Ezekiel in
Bsbylonia, on the Rivor Chebar.
We reach an interesting event. It is the
erection of an image 80 feet high and nine
feet wide. The hight probably included the
width would be symmetrical. 1t was human
in form and most likely it was an inag, of tho
god Bel Merodach, that being the principal
Rabylonian object OF worship. It was con-
stTucted at DRra, place about five miles south
east of Babylon. There is now a mound there
of, say, 20 feet high, supposed by Oppert to be
the pedestal of Northumberland image. The
statue had for its interior wood. stone, or clay.
All tho surface was covered with plates of gold
1t was built out of honor for the great National
divinity of Babylonia. Nebuchadnezzar had
been very successful, and he wanted to return
gratitude to the gods.
Tho image made, the day came for its dedi-
cation. All the leading officials of the whole
land were summoned to join in the exercise.
1t was commanded that every subject should
bow down and pay divine homage to the i'm
age. Refusal was to be punished by death in
fiery furnace.
The day came Music was heard over all
the beautiful plain from every sweetest instru-
ment. The masses became enthusiastic and |
cast themselves down before the god-plated. |
god. Shadrach, Mcshach, and Abcd -nego cap |
tives from Judes. had been elevated above the |
native youth. Hence they were objects of |
tho bittcrest envy. Every opportunity was |
seized to injuro their fame and influence. 1t |
was noticed that they did not worship Bel |
Merodacn The devotees probably bowed |
before the great image. Thus f!
the three youths would be very conspicuous, |
as in tho robes Of Office they stood erect. 1t |
will be remembered they were the three young |
men who, with Daniel refused to dine after !
Jhe royal heather bill of fare They were re-
ported to Eebuchad nezzar who at once sum-
noned them to appear and explain. They did
lot feel it needful to take time to know what
reply to make. Their minds were firmly set
led There was only one plain course for
hem to pursue. They could worship only
Sod. They felt certain God was stronger than
or Bsl- Merodach. and could
f no SAW it was best, deliver them from being
larmed Or God could give them strength to
endure fire. God could keep them from SIM
hing by giving them power to suffer. They
we're resolved to do duty, throwing themselves
N Gods mercy and omnipotence. They pre-
erred to risk refusing NebuchSdnezzar rather
han to disobey God. God could do more for
hem than golden image could do against
hem. Jehovah could help them more than q
leathen King could harm them.
1t is singular Daniel is not with the three
Hebrews. He may have been sick,
oreign embassy. We are certain he did not
VOW before Bel
lerly on tho three Hebrews, he cast eyes of
wrath. grated his teeth, and grumbled ven
,eance. lie ordered ono of the furnaces to be
leated seven times hotter than ever. Such
furnaces probably aboundsd, being similar in
orm to limekiins. aud used for smelling ORE
They had doors openings in tho sides. The
'ictims OF prosecutions were probably cast in
rom above. The flames ragged so fearfully
hat the officers OF execution wore suFocated
nd burned TO death. II THUS Nebuchadnezzar
ost several of the modest mon of his army.
The three Hebrewsiwere bound. probably as
o hands and feet. They were, however,
lothed in very infammable garments, having
N, according to the received Bible, coats, hosep,
nd hats. and, according to the revised version,
oSen, TUNES, and manflcs, The coat was q