Turning Up The Heat

When Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego refuse to bow down to Nebuchadnezzar’s golden image, the king decides to give them a second chance to change their ways. They however tell him they don’t need it. It wasn’t a mistake or oversight, they knew what they were doing and are ready to accept the consequences of their actions, no matter what they are (Daniel 3:12-18).

This sends the already upset king into a fury. He then orders the furnace to be heated up seven times hotter than usual. This bit of overkill will burn them to ashes. It isn’t a good idea. The fire is so hot that it ends up costing him some of his best warriors that are sent to escort the trio to the flame.

So why was he so mad? Well, the easy answer is pride. He made the image as a way to give him homage. We know from the next chapter pride was an issue for Nebuchadnezzar. Someone that is deifying his creation is defiling him. How dare these men think they have a God that can deliver them from his hands (Daniel 3:17)! They had wounded his pride.

While that is completely valid, let me also ask you to consider that anytime you are doing something you know is wrong those that don’t go along are reminders of that. They become tangible examples against you and we want to destroy them as completely as we can.

Now think about the persecution we see in the world against the faithful. Why do they feel the need to attack those that don’t do what they are doing? Why do they want to force us to bow down?

For the same reason as Nebuchadnezzar. Their pride assures them of their rightness but when the faithful stand up, they are forced to confront that they may not be. Rather than look at themselves, they would rather go all out to destroy those that they see as threats.

Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you.

1^st Peter 4:12

Don’t think that because the world rails against you, you have done something wrong. It may just be that in doing right they now see what is truly wrong!

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