Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1911-09-12
GiDTESTAnEkT TINES
J
g1IABERN'ACLF
m 1.BIRLE. STUDIES.
THE FIERY FURNACE.
DaniaI iii--Sent II

Tile Lord is my Helper. and ] will
not fear what man shall do unto mt"
hebrews Xiii, 3.
Years passed after the narrative of
our last study. King Nebueiiadaezzar
had advanced the four Hebrew cap
tiees to positions of honor and trust.
Just where Daniel was at this time we
10 not know. hut his three companions,
given new names. we're governors OF
Babylonian provinces.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS had conquered the
world. He instituted a. great peace
celebration and brought his represen-
tatives from all parts of the then civ
ilized world to Babylon. These were to-
be duly impressed with the greatness
and magnifieenee of the BabNlonian
Power and of the utility Of resisting il
They we're to lie given an illustration
OF the henefactions to result FROM hav-
ing one government and having the
entire world At peace.
He had doubtless heard that the Is
rdeltes from of old We're inspired by a
certain promise from their God that at
4 future time their nation should be-
made the dominant one for the ruling
and blessing of all nations. kiudreds.
peoples and tongues. Nebuchadnezzar|
considered this theory of the Jews a
wise one and himself the oppattune|
person to be the blesser of the world,
in the name of his god. Bel Merodach
lad not his god given him victories. he
reasoned2 Were not he, therefore, and
his nation, the properly qualified ones
for the great work of blessing the
world? He would at least make the
endeavor
Golden Image of Bel Merodach
Nebuchadnezzar would honor the god
whom lie believed had given him his
victories He would make him the god
II naSions. The peoples from every
part of his domain should be commit
ted to the worship of this one god that
the having of one religion might help
70 cement the various. inconeruous ele-
men,s of which his kingdom WAS com
posed. AS a preparation for the great
peace festival. Il broad plain for ma
mowers OF the troops and the gather
rig of the princes and mobiles AMI Wis
TORS was selected In tho midst Of the
plain a golden image of Bel Mefodach
was erected ninety feet high. It is
not necessary to assume that the image
WAS of solid gold, although Heradotus
mentions q statue at Babylon Of small
lcr size which was Of solid geld weigh
ing forty three thousand pounds.
When the great day Of celebration
Jeanne, with governors, princes, captains
and provincial rulers, the judges, treas
urers, councillors and lawyers in their
various robes of office and surrounded
| and interspersed with the delegates
! from various nations, the banners fly
| ing and the musical instruments play
| ing it must have been an impressive
s.g;ft w '9aE. F't.apathize with the
lvictorians NebGcha9ne2zar in d certain
meae,4,a of pride in the achievements
lof hat hour and the peace program
WH.ch it was 20 celebrate. Thus far
mis- rule had been one of conquest; ;
lthenceforth, everything conquered, the
world was to have great time of
peace, prosperity, jubilation.
At the appropriate time the religious
unity of the empire was to be demon
strated by a general worship OF the
golden image of Bel-Merodach. Pro
clamatien was made that soon the
bands would begin to play and that
then all would be expected TO fell
down and worship and reverence the
image
Courage of the Three Hebrews.
Everything seemed to go we'll until it
was reported to the king that three
governors whom, he had set over the
provinces had rebelled against his de-
cree and refused to worship the image
Iof Bel Merodach-had defed the king s
lpower-for like all mandates of olden
4times the penalty for disobedienco was
so severe as to leave no room for OPP
position i'm a sane mind. Who We're
these three disturbers of Babylon S
peace. spoilers Of the great peace fes-
ltival? They were the three young He
fErews whom the king had SO gracious
llv treated at the time of their captivity
land who apparently owed 50 much to
him. He had not, only given them
schoohns,. but he had exalted them 10
high positions in his empire. How UNI