The Fiery Test

King Nebuchadnezzar made a gold statue, 90 feet high and 9 feet wide. He set it up on the plain of Dura in the province of Babylon. King Nebuchadnezzar sent word to assemble the satraps, prefects, governors, advisers, treasurers, judges, magistrates, and all the rulers of the provinces to attend the dedication of the statue King Nebuchadnezzar had set up. So they all assembled for the dedication of the statue te king had set up. Then they stood before the statue Nebuchadnezzar had set up.
A herald loudly proclaimed, " People of every nation and language, you are commanded: when you hear the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, drum, an every kind of music, you are to fall down and worship the golden statue that King Nebuchadnezzar has set up. But whoever does not fall down and worship will immediately be thrown into a furnace of blazing fire."

Shadrach, Meshack, and Abednego replied to the king, "Nebuchadnezzar, we don't need to give you am answer to this question. If the God we serve exists, then he can rescue us from the furnace of blazing fire, and He can rescue us from your power oh king. But even if He does not rescue us, we will not serve your gods or worship the gold statue you set up." Daniel 3:1-6; 16-18

Nebuchadnezzar started this statue no long after he had his dream. It would have taken many years to complete. History indicates that there had been a rebellion after about ten years of his reign. Having to bow down to his statue would have been a loyalty test. 

Shadrach, Meshack and Abednego were dobbed in by the Chaldeans. When he heard that they would not bow down to his statue Nebuchadnezzar became angry and after they finished the above he was in a rage and ordered the furnace be heated up 7 times hotter.

Again these young men were being tested, again there was another opportunity to show God's goodness. No ruler was greater than their God and they planned to prove it.

God did provoke it, in fact He joined them in the furnace. Not a hair of their heads were singed. When they came out of the furnace they did not smell of smoke.

Nebuchadnezzar recognised the God most High and paid homage to Him. Amen!

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