Daniel 3
I have to laugh whenever I read this! Nebuchadnezzar goes from admitting that the God of Daniel is the highest God, to making an image of himself and requiring everyone to bow down to it when the music plays. Perhaps Nebuchadnezzar thinks it's a misunderstanding when he's informed that Shadrach, Meshach & Abednego didn't bow down, so he gives them the benefit of doubt. They tell him that their God doesn't allow them to bow down to idols, and not only that, but their God will deliver them from the furnace.
Here's where I read between the lines. When we read about Moses, we read a very small about about his life after fleeing from Egypt. He lives with the Priest's family and obviously his faith has grown some. Great faith, like Moses' during the wilderness trek, doesn't happen overnight. In fact it comes about during many challenges in our lives. We are not told much about what has happened to these men, but clearly they have learned great trust in God.
Here's where I begin to giggle, as I think about the expressions on Nebuchadnezzar's face. He might look magnanimous as he explains they can try again. Then rage as they tell him they clearly won't be doing that, maybe his face it getting rather purple as he tells them to heat the furnace seven times hotter than usual, he might sit back in satisfaction, while waiting for them to get what's coming to them. The furnace was so hot, that his strongest army men put the bound Shadrach, Mesach and Abednego into the furnace and die!
This is where I really began to laugh out loud, thinking about old Neb's face as he watches these men get up and begin to walk around. Perhaps he's thinking it isn't really very hot, but no, the army men died. But wait, we put three men in, and now there are four walking around. My sides are nearly hurting due to my laughter as I imagine old Neb jumps up to ask if it was really only three men and it's obvious the fourth figure is really someone special! He approaches the furnace and what was his expression as he asked the men to come out? Perhaps he hesitated? Perhaps a few ums? Clearly his attitude was quite different!
I've often wondered what it was like in there. They could see the flames, it burns off their bindings. I would probably look down at my arm in amazement, seeing the flames dance around and I would probably begin to laugh. I would look around and see the other men and... wow! I would think that the first words to the men might be for them not to be afraid. I like the Amplified version, it says in verse 28 Then Nebuchadnezzar said, Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, Who has sent His angel and delivered His servants who believed in, trusted in, and relied on Him! And they set aside the king’s command and yielded their bodies rather than serve or worship any god except their own God. They believed, trusted and relied on Him and as a result, many people learned about such a wonderful God who takes care of His own! He is a God who sees and a God who hears us.(Gen 16:13)
Here's where I read between the lines. When we read about Moses, we read a very small about about his life after fleeing from Egypt. He lives with the Priest's family and obviously his faith has grown some. Great faith, like Moses' during the wilderness trek, doesn't happen overnight. In fact it comes about during many challenges in our lives. We are not told much about what has happened to these men, but clearly they have learned great trust in God.
Here's where I begin to giggle, as I think about the expressions on Nebuchadnezzar's face. He might look magnanimous as he explains they can try again. Then rage as they tell him they clearly won't be doing that, maybe his face it getting rather purple as he tells them to heat the furnace seven times hotter than usual, he might sit back in satisfaction, while waiting for them to get what's coming to them. The furnace was so hot, that his strongest army men put the bound Shadrach, Mesach and Abednego into the furnace and die!
This is where I really began to laugh out loud, thinking about old Neb's face as he watches these men get up and begin to walk around. Perhaps he's thinking it isn't really very hot, but no, the army men died. But wait, we put three men in, and now there are four walking around. My sides are nearly hurting due to my laughter as I imagine old Neb jumps up to ask if it was really only three men and it's obvious the fourth figure is really someone special! He approaches the furnace and what was his expression as he asked the men to come out? Perhaps he hesitated? Perhaps a few ums? Clearly his attitude was quite different!
I've often wondered what it was like in there. They could see the flames, it burns off their bindings. I would probably look down at my arm in amazement, seeing the flames dance around and I would probably begin to laugh. I would look around and see the other men and... wow! I would think that the first words to the men might be for them not to be afraid. I like the Amplified version, it says in verse 28 Then Nebuchadnezzar said, Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, Who has sent His angel and delivered His servants who believed in, trusted in, and relied on Him! And they set aside the king’s command and yielded their bodies rather than serve or worship any god except their own God. They believed, trusted and relied on Him and as a result, many people learned about such a wonderful God who takes care of His own! He is a God who sees and a God who hears us.(Gen 16:13)
No comments:
Post a Comment