lent day 6
Nebuchadnezzar’s Golden Statue
1King Nebuchadnezzar made a golden statuea sixty cubits high and six cubits wide,b and he set it up on the plain of Dura in the province of Babylon. 2Then King Nebuchadnezzar sent word to assemble the satraps, prefects, governors, advisers, treasurers, judges, magistrates, and all the other officials of the provinces to attend the dedication of the statue he had set up.
3So the satraps, prefects, governors, advisers, treasurers, judges, magistrates, and all the rulers of the provinces assembled for the dedication of the statue that King Nebuchadnezzar had set up, and they stood before it.
7Therefore, as soon as all the people heard the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, and all kinds of music, the people of every nation and language would fall down and worship the golden statue that King Nebuchadnezzar had set up.
Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego Accused
8At this time some astrologers came forward and maliciously accused the Jews, 9saying to King Nebuchadnezzar, “O king, may you live forever! 10You, O king, have issued a decree that everyone who hears the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, pipes, and all kinds of music must fall down and worship the golden statue, 11and that whoever does not fall down and worship will be thrown into the blazing fiery furnace. 12But there are some Jews you have appointed to manage the province of Babylon—Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego—who have ignored you, O king, and have refused to serve your gods or worship the golden statue you have set up.”
13Then Nebuchadnezzar, furious with rage, summoned Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. So these men were brought before the king, 14and Nebuchadnezzar said to them, “Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, is it true that you do not serve my gods or worship the golden statue I have set up? 15Now, if you are ready, as soon as you hear the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, pipes, and all kinds of music, you must fall down and worship the statue I have made. But if you refuse to worship, you will be thrown at once into the blazing fiery furnace. Then what god will be able to deliver you from my hands?”
16Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego replied to the king, “O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer you in this matter. 17If the God whom we serve exists, then He is ablee to deliver us from the blazing fiery furnace and from your hand, O king. 18But even if He does not, let it be known to you, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the golden statue you have set up.”
Thoughts on todays passage
I wonder why the King had this gold statue built (90 feet high by 9 feet wide). Did it have something to do with the dream he had had and the interpretation Daniel had given him? Had he completely misunderstood what Daniel had told him? We don't know how much time passed between the dream and the building of the statue - maybe it was decades later. But in the scriptures it comes hard on the heels of Nebuchadnezzar falling down and worshipping Daniel. Now he wants people worshipping a statue.! Poor Neb didnt have much of a clue!
The astrologers were not happy that Daniel and his friends were a) more gifted than they were and b) had found favour with the king. Our enemy hates the fact that God loves and uses us and, as the accuser of the brethren, will take every opportunity to slander us and damage our reputations. Anti-Semitism is constantly in the news at the moment and it is clearly nothing new as the astrologers run to the king with ' there are some Jews who.....' But you dont have to be Jewish to fall victim to this tactic. The good news is that Jesus became of no reputation for us so that we could find our validation in Him and not in the opinions others have about us (Phil 2:7)
I find it interesting that Shadrach Meshach and Abednego are called by their 'new names' in the scripture but Daniel gets to keep his original name. Not sure why that is.
There is a challenge against God not only in the building of the statue as an object of worship, but in Nebuchadnezzar's question ' what god is able to deliver you?' I think its a question asked of us today all the time. ' What difference does your God make? What's the point of praying? Its all just a crutch and make-believe' But Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego had testimony of Gods goodness and activity and powerful working in their lives. They knew their God and what He could do. How is your testimony doing at the moment?
The confidence of these three young men in God is astonishing. Not only did they answer back to a king who was threatening them with death, but their defiance is notable ' We don't need to answer you - our God is able to save us from fire, but even if He doesn't we wont be worshipping your statue' Wow. Brave.
Several years ago a guy came to speak at our church. He was talking about the persecuted church and told a horrible story about a congregation in somewhere where church is outlawed ( cant remember which country). The people were herded outdoors and told to renounce their faith. They refused . The parents were then rounded up and separated from their children. They were told that if they didn't renounce Jesus their kids would be killed in front of them. The parents had five minutes to spend with their kids. Every single parent hugged and kissed their child, told them they would see them again and then watched as the authorities slaughtered them. I wont tell you how they were killed as its an image in my head which has haunted me for years and I dont want it to haunt you. Suffice to say today, right now in our world there are people standing up and saying ' No, I wont worship your god. Do your worst. God will either rescue me or take me (or my children) but I'm staying true to Him' No greater love than that a man lays down his life. Just as Jesus did.
Todays scripture isnt a nice story about how three men were miraculously rescued from a fire. Its a real moment of courage and faith and decision and trust. I find it hugely challenging. When we read 'when you pass through the waters I will be with you' we dont really assume thats ever going to need to be literally true. But what if it is?
How would I fare in this story? Am I prepared/ready/able to suffer for my faith? Do I make any sort of stand against the golden idols of the age or do I just bow down and worship when the music plays.
Getting serious folks. Have a good day and be blessed. x
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