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122    THE CONVENTION TEACHER

Lesson X. June 6, 1948

MEN WHO DARED TO STAND FOR GOD

SENIOR TOPIC: COURAGE TO PUT GOD FIRST
Daniel 3:4-7, 13-18; 6:10.
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AUTHORIZED VERSION

4 Then a herald cried aloud, To you it is commanded, O people, nations, and languages.

5 That at what time you hear the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, dulcimer, and all kinds of music, ye fall down and worship the golden image that Nebuchadnezzar the king hath set up:

6 And whoso falleth not down and worshippeth shall the same hour be cast into the midst of a burning fiery furnace.

7 Therefore at that time, when all the people heard the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, and all kinds of music, all the people, the nations, and the languages, fell down and worshipped the golden image that Nebuchadnezzar the king had set up.

13 Then Nebuchadnezzar in his rage and fury commanded to bring Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. Then they brought these men before the king.

14 Nebuchadnezzar spake and said unto them, Is it true, O Shadrach Meshach and Abednego? do not ye serve my gods, nor worship the golden images which I have set up?

15 Now if ye be ready that at what time you hear the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, and dulcimer, and all kinds of music, ye fall down and worship the image which I have made; well: but if ye worship not, ye shall be cast the same hour into the midst of a burning fiery furnace; and who is that God that shall deliver you out of my hands?

16 Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, answered and said to the king, O Nebuchadnezzar, we so, all God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of thine hand, O king.

18 But if not, be it known unto thee, O king, that we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up.

10 Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went into his house; and, his windows being open in his chamber toward Jerusalem, he kneeled upon his knees three times a day, and prayed, and gave thanks before his God, as he did aforetime.
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REVISED VERSION

4 Then the herald cried aloud, To you it is commanded, O peoples, nations, and languages, 5 that at what time ye here the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, dulcimer, and all kinds of music, ye fall down and worship the golden image that Nebuchadnezzar the king hath set up; 6 and whoso falleth not down and worshippeth shall the same hour be cast into the midst of a burning fiery furnace. 7 Therefore at that time, when all the peoples heard the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, and all kinds of music, all the peoples, the nations, and languages, fell down and worshipped the golden image that Nebuchadnezzar the king had set up.

13 Then Nebuchadnezzar in is rage and fury commanded to bring Shadrach Meshach and Abednego. Then they brought these men before the king. 14 Nebuchadnezzar answered and said unto them, Is it of purpose, O Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, that ye serve not my God, nor worship the golden image which I have set up? 15 Now if ye be ready that at what time ye hear the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery and dulcimer, and all kinds of music, ye fall down and worship the image which I have made, well: but if you worship not, ye shall be cast the same hour into the midst of a burning fiery furnace; and who is that god that shall deliver you out of my hands? 16 Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego answered and said to the king, O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer thee in this matter. 17 If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace: and he will deliver us out of thy hand, O king. 18 But if not, be it known unto thee, O king that we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up.

10 And when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went into his house (now his windows were open in his chamber toward Jerusalem); and he kneeled upon his knees three times a day, and prayed and gave thanks before his God as he did aforetime.
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MOTTO TEXT – Be it known unto thee, O king that we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou has set up. 
Daniel 3:18.
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LESSON SETTING

Time: B. C. 587
Place: Babylon

LESSON OUTLINE

1. The Human Order for Image Worship. (VV. 4-7.)
II. The Human Order Disobeyed. (VV. 13-18)
III. Daniel's Constancy in Prayer against the Decree. (V. 10)

DAILY HOME READING

May 31 – June 6
M. "Fall Down and Worship the Golden Image." Daniel 3:1-7.
T. "They Serve Not the Golden Image." Daniel 3:8-12.
W. "Who is that God that Shall Deliver You?" Daniel 3:13-18.
T. "The Fire had no Power upon Their Bodies." Daniel 3:19-27.
F. "Sought to Find Occasion Against Daniel." Daniel 6:16-23.
S. "Thy God will Deliver Thee." Daniel 6:16-23.
S. "We Must Obey God Rather Than Men." Acts 5:27-32.

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THE CONVENTION TEACHER     123

INTRODUCTION

Nebuchadnezzar erected and dedicated a golden image and commanded all his subjects, of all ranks and all degrees, to fall down and worship it. Information was given the king against the Jewish princes who refused to worship this golden image. Now observe their constant refusal notwithstanding his rage and threats. So enraged was King Nebuchadnezzar that he ordered the Hebrew children to be cast into the fiery furnace for their open refusal to obey his orders. Their miraculous preservation in the fire by the power of God, gained for them the favor of the king who was by this miracle, convinced of his error.

Notwithstanding the decree and the information given against Daniel and the casting of him into the den of lions, Daniel prayed to his God and his enemies found him praying stop the God to whom he prayed and in whom he had implicit faith, delivered him. Thus one sees the power of a living faith in a living God who will push aside all obstacles, uproot all human plans set to destroy divine help, and bring the true believers into victory.

EXPOSITION

I. The Human Order for Image Worship. (VV. 4-7.) (4) Then a herald cried aloud, To you it is commanded, O people, nations, and languages, A general convention of the states summoned to attend the solemnity of the dedication of this image. Invitations were sent to every rank of official used in the kingdom. Then a proclamation was made, ordering all manner of punishment, no matter what the rank, they all must come as well as a crier. Then a herald cried alond – "Then a crier cried with might" – To you is the order. A herald proclaiming this aloud throughout this vast assembly. The people with their servants come out and take notice.

(5) That at what time ye hear the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, dulcimer, and all kinds of music, you fall down and worship the golden image that Nebuchadnezzar the king hath set up. The people were notified of a call from the king and just as soon as they heard the sound of these instruments and all other kinds of music they were to fall down and worship the golden image which king Nebuchadnezzar had erected.  The sound of the cornet there is some difficulty in ascertaining the precise meaning of these musical instruments other than there use in the offices of the kingdom. Cornet – the common blowing the horn which makes a deep and hollow sound, as well as one shrill and piercing; flute – a wind instrument which made a strong and shrill noise such as the clarinet; Harp – a kind of stringed instrument it seemed to be formed from the Greek word. sackbut – a species of the harp; Psaltery – a stringed instrument, struck with a plectrum, probably the same as David's harp. Dulcimer – a kind of tambourine. And all kinds of music. The whole stock of music.

(6) And whoso falleth not down and worshippeth shall the same hour be cast into the midst of a burning fiery furnace – Upon the sound of the musical instruments if there is anyone who hears and will not comply by not falling down and worshiping the golden image he shall immediately be cast into the midst of the burning fiery furnace, ready prepared for that purpose. Shall the same hour – This is the first place in the Old Testament where we find the ancient mode of punishment among the Chaldeans.

(7) Therefore at that time, when all the people heard the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, and all kinds of music, all the people, the nations, and the languages, fell down and worshipped the golden image that Nebuchadnezzar, the king had set up. Notice the general obedience of the assembly to this command. "The people heard the sound of the musical instruments, wind and hand instruments; the cornet and flute with the harp and sackbut, psaltery and dulcimer. The melody of which they thought was ravishing and fit enough it was to excite such a devotion as they were then to pay"; And immediately, they all, as one man, as soldiers that are wont to be exercised by beat of drum, all the people, nations, and languages, fell down and worshipped the golden image.

II. The Human Order Disobeyed. (VV. 13-18) (13) Then Nebuchadnezzar in his rage and fury commanded to bring Shadrack, Meshack, and Abednego. Then they brought these men before the king. It seems strange that these three young Hebrew men would be present in the assembly. When, it is likely, they knew