Battle of the Gods

Was it the dream that stimulated the image? Did Nebuchadnezzar want to take control of his destiny? Perhaps he wanted to assert that he was no one’s puppet, not even God’s!

The scene was set for one of the most remarkable acts of compelled submission. It would set the standard for future totalitarian states. The music began and the drama unfolded. Across the land, in unison, they responded–except not all. The refusal of three men spoiled the whole show, worse when they were among the king’s favoured few. Never mind, perhaps the message had not got through.

Daniel was not the only Jew who dared to be different. Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego remained completely unmoved by either the generosity of a second chance or the fearful consequences that would follow a repeated act of disobedience. For them the issue was clear.

Life is not limited by the time between birth and death but instead defined by the choices you make. They had made their choice and whatever followed was not in their hands. They trusted that God would deliver them, whether from death or through death and so they faced the flames fearlessly.

The king showed how foolish he was. He heated things up to make death quicker. By doing this he incidentally wiped out the execution squad(!) He could have cooled things down and increased the suffering. He couldn’t believe his eyes when three became four! Shaken, Nebuchadnezzar called them out of the fire, and they emerged with not even a scorch mark to display. Nebuchadnezzar praised God, but his threats reveal that he still had some way to go in letting God be God!

Respond in Prayer

Father God, I’m amazed at how you saved these men. Thank you for their courage and their principles. Please give me wisdom to know when and how to make a stand when, as a Christian, I believe that something is wrong. I pray in Jesus’ name. Amen

Colin Sinclair