“The king’s wrath is like the ROARING OF A LION, but his favor is like dew on the grass.” (Proverbs 19:12) I think this proverb is illustrated in Daniel’s writing, “Nebuchadnezzar was FILLED WITH FURY (za‛aph: a storming rage), and the expression of his face was changed against Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego” (Daniel 3:19).
Why was Nebuchadnezzar so terribly angry at them? “King Nebuchadnezzar made a solid gold statue ninety feet tall and nine feet wide and set it up on the plain of Dura in the province of Babylon…Then a herald shouted out, ‘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.’” (Daniel 3:1, 5-6) Well, the Hebrew boys believed in and kept the Commandments of God which the SECOND ONE stated, “YOU SHALL NOT make for yourself A CARVED IMAGE, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth; you SHALL NOT BOW DOWN TO THEM NOR SERVE THEM. For I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children to the third and fourth generations of those who hate Me, but showing mercy to thousands, to those who love Me and keep My Commandments.” (Exodus 20:3-5) SO THEY WOULD NOT BOW DOWN. And that’s when they experienced the KINGS WRATH.
Nebuchadnezzar gave them one more chance but –NO– they would not bow! “Nebuchadnezzar was so furious with Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego that his face became DISTORTED WITH RAGE. He commanded that the furnace be heated SEVEN TIMES HOTTER than usual.” (Daniel 3:19)
The king ordered some of his strongest men to tie them up an throw them in the furnace, it was so hot it killed the men as the threw them in. The king looked in and said, “Didn’t we tie up three men and throw them into the furnace?” “Yes, Your Majesty, we certainly did,” they replied. “Look!” Nebuchadnezzar shouted. “I see FOUR MEN, UNTIED, WALKING AROUND in the fire unharmed! And the fourth looks like the son of God!” (Daniel 3:24-25)
The king shouted, “come out” and the three came out, no singed clothing, no smell of smoke. Then Nebuchadnezzar said, “Praise to the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego! He sent his angel to rescue his servants who trusted in him. They defied the king’s command and were WILLING TO DIE rather than serve or worship any god except their own God. Therefore, I make this decree: If any people, whatever their race or nation or language, SPEAK A WORD AGAINST THE GOD OF SHADRACH, MESHACH, AND ABEDNEGO, they will be torn limb from limb, and their houses will be turned into heaps of rubble. There is NO OTHER GOD who can rescue like this!” (Daniel 3:28-29)
THAT IS THE LORD GOD ALMIGHTY THAT WE WORSHIP AND SERVE.
Your Personal Pastor -Bill Stockham