Kneel and Worship…Or Else

King Nebuchadnezzar made a gold statue ninety feet tall and nine feet wide and set it up on the plain of Dura in the province of Babylon. Then he sent messages to the high officers, officials, governors, advisers, treasurers, judges, magistrates, and all the provincial officials to come to the dedication of the statue he had set up. So all these officials came and stood before the statue King Nebuchadnezzar had set up. Then a herald shouted out, "People of all races and nations and languages, listen to the king's command! When you hear the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, pipes, and other musical instruments, bow to the ground to worship King Nebuchadnezzar's gold statue. Anyone who refuses to obey will immediately be thrown into a blazing furnace." So at the sound of the musical instruments, all the people, whatever their race or nation or language, bowed to the ground and worshiped the gold statue that King Nebuchadnezzar had set up. But some of the astrologers went to the king and informed on the Jews. They said to King Nebuchadnezzar, "Long live the king! You issued a decree requiring all the people to bow down and worship the gold statue when they hear the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, pipes, and other musical instruments. That decree also states that those who refuse to obey must be thrown into a blazing furnace. But there are some Jews--Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego--whom you have put in charge of the province of Babylon. They pay no attention to you, Your Majesty. They refuse to serve your gods and do not worship the gold statue you have set up." Daniel 3:1 – 12

King Nebuchadnezzar built a gold statue, ninety feet high and nine feet thick. He set it up on the Dura plain in the province of Babylon. He then ordered all the important leaders in the province, everybody who was anybody, to the dedication ceremony of the statue. They all came for the dedication, all the important people, and took their places before the statue that Nebuchadnezzar had erected. A herald then proclaimed in a loud voice: "Attention, everyone! Every race, color, and creed, listen! When you hear the band strike up—all the trumpets and trombones, the tubas and baritones, the drums and cymbals—fall to your knees and worship the gold statue that King Nebuchadnezzar has set up. Anyone who does not kneel and worship shall be thrown immediately into a roaring furnace." The band started to play, a huge band equipped with all the musical instruments of Babylon, and everyone—every race, color, and creed—fell to their knees and worshiped the gold statue that King Nebuchadnezzar had set up. Just then, some Babylonian fortunetellers stepped up and accused the Jews. They said to King Nebuchadnezzar, "Long live the king! You gave strict orders, O king, that when the big band started playing, everyone had to fall to their knees and worship the gold statue, and whoever did not go to their knees and worship it had to be pitched into a roaring furnace. Well, there are some Jews here—Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego—whom you have placed in high positions in the province of Babylon. These men are ignoring you, O king. They don't respect your gods and they won't worship the gold statue you set up."

The other day I heard someone greet their friend, “How it going?” and the guy answered, “I’m living the dream.” Are you living your dream? It looks like King Nebuchadnezzar is trying to live out his dream with the golden headed statue which represented Babylon. In his dream only the head was golden, but here several years later he has a huge skinny idol constructed and overlaid with gold. Had he forgotten that he recognized Daniel’s God as the true god? Didn’t anyone tell him about God, specifically that our God is a jealous god, and that no one is to worship idols? For you shall not worship any other god, for the Lord, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God. Exodus 34:14. (NASB) King Nebuchadnezzar expects everyone to kneel and worship his idol—or else they’ll be thrown into the fiery furnace. Everyone! Who knows where Daniel is? He is not part of this well-known story, but his friends are right there in the midst of the gathering of dignitaries invited to the dedication of this golden statue.

Now Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego won’t worship Nebuchadnezzar’s idol. That is the right thing for men of integrity to do. Like Daniel, his friends are standing up for what is right and following the Hebrew teachings, which are actually God’s commandments. Our God is a jealous God and doesn’t want anything to be worshipped instead of Him. He is worthy of our worship and praise.

One of my favorite verses is Philippians 4:8, Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things. (NASB, emphasis mine) God is worthy of our praise. Through Him then, let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that give thanks to His name. Hebrews 13:15 (NASB). Fruit. Spiritual fruit spoken for the Lord.

Prayer ~ Lord, You are worthy of our praise. May we be people of integrity who stand up and offer praise to You no matter where we are. 

[From July 9, 2012]

Daily Bible Reading: Isaiah 1-4

© 2017 Text and photos by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.

All scripture quoted from the New Living Translation (NLT) unless otherwise noted.

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