Nebuchadnezzar the king made an image of gold, the height of which was sixty cubits and its width six cubits; he set it up on the plain of Dura in the province of Babylon.
Then Nebuchadnezzar the king sent word to assemble the satraps, the prefects and the governors, the counselors, the treasurers, the judges, the magistrates and all the rulers of the provinces to come to the dedication of the image that Nebuchadnezzar the king had set up.
Then the satraps, the prefects and the governors, the counselors, the treasurers, the judges, the magistrates and all the rulers of the provinces were assembled for the dedication of the image that Nebuchadnezzar the king had set up; and they stood before the image that Nebuchadnezzar had set up.
Then the herald loudly proclaimed: “To you the command is given, O peoples, nations and men of every language, that at the moment you hear the sound of the horn, flute, lyre, trigon, psaltery, bagpipe and all kinds of music, you are to fall down and worship the golden image that Nebuchadnezzar the king has set up.
But whoever does not fall down and worship shall immediately be cast into the midst of a furnace of blazing fire.”
Therefore at that time, when all the peoples heard the sound of the horn, flute, lyre, trigon, psaltery, bagpipe and all kinds of music, all the peoples, nations and men of every language fell down and worshiped the golden image that Nebuchadnezzar the king had set up. (Daniel 3:1-7)
The lesson we cannot miss in Daniel 3 is the unwavering faith of Daniel’s three friends. Their names are Hananiah, Misheal and Azariah. They stood as witnesses of the Sovereign God in the face of a fiery trial. Nebuchadnezzar had given these three friends Babylonian names: Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-Nego. In this account, we see their steadfast trust in God during a very challenging time. Their experience serves as a powerful example for us believers.
Daniel 3:1-7 tell us that Nebuchadnezzar, the monarch who dreamed of the colossal statue with a head of gold in Daniel 2, decided to build a golden statue. We are not told whether it was built with pure gold or just one plated with gold, but we are told it was sixty cubits or the equivalent of ninety feet tall and six cubits or about nine feet wide.
We are also not told how he was inspired to build it, but he probably wanted to be worshipped like the figure he had built. How far apart the building of this golden image from his dream described in Daniel 2 is unknown. However, his desire could have come from the interpretation that he is the head of the gold of the image of his dream.
The king set the massive golden statue in Dura, a plain in Babylon, and invited all his officials to its dedication. So, all “the satraps, the prefects and the governors, the counselors, treasurers, judges, magistrates, and all the rulers of the provinces assembled” came for the dedication service.
As the thong of people stood before the golden image, the herald proclaimed loudly. It was the king’s decree saying, “…O peoples, nations, and men of every language, …at the moment you hear the sound of the horn, flute, lyre, trigon, psaltery, bagpipe, and all kinds of music, you are to fall and worship the golden image that Nebuchadnezzar the king has set up.” It’s further decreed that whoever would not comply with the order would be immediately cast into a fiery furnace.
As a ‘trial run,’ verse 7 reveals that all the musical instruments sounded as decreed. Every citizen under Nebuchadnezzar’s rule complied, falling to their knees and worshipping the golden image. The absence of Daniel’s friends in this scene creates a stark contrast, hinting at the impending conflict and their likely response.
Testing of our faith and trust in God will undoubtedly happen. The question is, “How will we respond when a fiery trial comes upon us?” Some people ask for trials to be removed and miss the golden opportunity to build their character. We should not dodge trials but ask God for grace to face them instead. When we come through a trial with God, we will go forth pure as gold. Know that His grace is sufficient for us, and His strength is perfected through testing. Trust God to see us through!
DAILY MEDITATIONS:
Monday – James 1:2-4
Consider it all joy, my brothers and sisters, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.
Tuesday – Romans 5:3-5
And not only this, but we also celebrate in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope; and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.
Wednesday – 1 Peter 1:6-7
In this, you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials, so that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which perishes though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise, glory, and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ;
Thursday – 2 Corinthians 4:17
For our momentary, light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison,
Friday – Hebrews 12:11
For the moment, all discipline seems not to be pleasant, but painful; yet to those who have been trained by it, afterward it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness.
Saturday – 1 Peter 4:12-13
Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal among you, which comes upon you for your testing, as though something strange was happening to you; but to the degree that you share the sufferings of Christ, keep on rejoicing, so that at the revelation of His glory you may also rejoice and be overjoyed.
Sunday – Psalm 119:71
It is good for me that I was afflicted, so that I may learn Your statutes.
All Scriptures are quoted from the New American Standard Bible (NASB).
By Pastor Clarence Goh
