2006-06-22 - Daniel 3

Installment 23 - Whose Law Do We Follow?

1. Introduction
2. A Poor Response: Verses 1- 7
3. A Dangerous Choice: Verses 8-18
   1. Charges Brought: Verses 8-15
   2. Charges Proved: Verses 16-18
4. A Destructive Consequence: Verses 19-27
   1. The King's Judgment: Verses 19-23
   2. God's Intervention: Verses 24-27
5. A Good Response: Verses 28-30
6. Conclusion

Israel constantly struggled with the sin of idolatry throughout her history. In fact, it was their constant disobedience in putting themselves and other things ahead of God, that got them into trouble and even into exile.

It is this issue that Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah were being forced to face. The real test for the three men was: Were they willing to be obedient to God, no matter what the cost? This is the same question Christians have always faced: obedience versus consequences. There is also an ethical question involved - and that is: Where does obedience to God require disobedience to His command of obedience to worldly authority? The three found the answer straightforward, after all we read the following in scripture:

"You shall have no other gods before me. You shall not make for yourself an idol in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below. You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the fathers to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me, but showing love to a thousand [generations] of those who love me and keep my commandments" (Exodus 20:3-6).

To be continued.

Comments or Questions?
Geoff

GKragen@aol.com
http://www.cfdevotionals.org