A warning to tyrants

March 17, 2022 (Thursday)

 

Pride is one of the biggest problems in the list of sins. Especially when pride infects kings (national leaders). Let’s see where unchecked pride leads to in one story. Daniel 3:1a reads, “King Nebuchadnezzar made a gold statue. It was ninety feet high and nine feet wide.” [CEB] In chapter 2 Nebuchadnezzar had a dream about four kingdoms, of which the Babylonian kingdom was the head of gold. In one way, it may have been the king’s version of saying, he ruled all nations.

 

Adding to the image, Nebuchadnezzar commanded everyone to worship it (him). This edict is found in Daniel 3:6, “Anyone who will not bow down and worship will be immediately thrown into a furnace of flaming fire.” [CEB] When the music played, everyone bowed down and worshiped. Everyone except three Jewish men.

 

Maybe there were some who were stung by Nebuchadnezzar bowing down to Daniel (see Daniel 2:46) or Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego being the administrators of Babylon. We read, “At that moment some Chaldeans came forward, seizing a chance to attack the Jews.” [Daniel 3:8 CEB] This was a chance to cause trouble for their foreign rulers. The kings’ response was a “rage” (see verse 13, 19). To me this indicates the loss of rational thought. It is always a bad thing when people with power fall into the pit of pride. Others suffer.

 

In response to Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego’s refusal to worship the image, “Nebuchadnezzar was filled with rage, and his face twisted beyond recognition because of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. In response he commanded that the furnace be heated to seven times its normal heat.” [Daniel 3:19 CEB] The fire was so hot, the soldiers who tossed them into the fire died. The men relied on God to rescue them, but even if He did not, they would not worship the image.

 

It’s at these desperate moments when God shows up. In shock, Nebuchadnezzar learns a lesson… sort of. “He replied, “Look! I see four men, unbound, walking around inside the fire, and they aren’t hurt! And the fourth one looks like one of the gods.” [Daniel 3:25 CEB] After being released from the furnace, we read these results, “The fire hadn’t done anything to them: their hair wasn’t singed; their garments looked the same as before; they didn’t even smell like fire!” [Daniel 3:27b CEB]

 

God is able to rescue, but I caution you, there are times when God has a better plan. While Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego survived this event, they still had to suffer the reign of an arrogant (“offensive display of superiority” dictionary.com) ruler who didn’t learn. For the rest of the story, read Daniel 4. While you are at it, grab a plate full of grass.  

 

Daniel advised a way to avoid this humiliation, “Renounce your sins by doing what is right, and your wickedness by being kind to the oppressed.” [Daniel 4:27b NIV] People in power have a great responsibility and will be held to a greater standard of judgement. For the arrogant, God opposes you (see 1 Peter 5:50.

 

“Pride comes before disaster, and arrogance before a fall.” [Proverbs 16:18 CEB]