King Nebuchadnezzar had said something that sounded good about God, but next we see him setting up a golden image. He paid lip service to God, but promoted idolatry, even demanding that all the people worship the image. Anything which takes a higher place than God is an idol. Money, possessions, sport and shopping dominate peoples lives in our land and can very easily become idols.

Judah is under the judgment of God because the people rejected the prophets and refused to repent. Daniel and his friends are captive in Babylon. What will they do about the offer of the King's food and wine?

The Church at Ephesus was a mixture of backgrounds. Most were Gentiles who had been brought near to God and the rest were of Jewish descent. There is now no difference because of the sacrifice of Christ. Paul was a prisoner because of his preaching of the Gospel to the Gentiles, but he saw himself as having received the undeserved grace of God.