Daniel 3:1-12

The Golden Image

Read the passage

1King Nebuchadnezzar made a golden statue sixty cubits high and six cubits wide, and he set it up on the plain of Dura in the province of Babylon.

2Then King Nebuchadnezzar sent word to assemble the satraps, prefects, governors, advisers, treasurers, judges, magistrates, and all the other officials of the provinces to attend the dedication of the statue he had set up.

3So the satraps, prefects, governors, advisers, treasurers, judges, magistrates, and all the rulers of the provinces assembled for the dedication of the statue that King Nebuchadnezzar had set up, and they stood before it.

4Then the herald loudly proclaimed, “O people of every nation and language, this is what you are commanded:

5As soon as you hear the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, pipes, and all kinds of music, you must fall down and worship the golden statue that King Nebuchadnezzar has set up.

6And whoever does not fall down and worship will immediately be thrown into the blazing fiery furnace.”

7Therefore, as soon as all the people heard the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, and all kinds of music, the people of every nation and language would fall down and worship the golden statue that King Nebuchadnezzar had set up.

8At this time some astrologers came forward and maliciously accused the Jews,

9saying to King Nebuchadnezzar, “O king, may you live forever!

10You, O king, have issued a decree that everyone who hears the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, pipes, and all kinds of music must fall down and worship the golden statue,

11and that whoever does not fall down and worship will be thrown into the blazing fiery furnace.

12But there are some Jews you have appointed to manage the province of Babylon—Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego—who have ignored you, O king, and have refused to serve your gods or worship the golden statue you have set up.”

Berean Standard Bible

Read aloud

Nebuchadnezzar sets up a golden statue on the plain of Dura in Babylon. It is sixty cubits high and six cubits wide. He summons the officials of the provinces to its dedication, and they assemble before it.

A herald commands people of every nation and language to fall down and worship the statue when the instruments sound. Anyone who refuses will immediately be thrown into a blazing furnace. The music begins, and the people bow. This ceremony demands worship under threat of death.

Some astrologers then come to the king and maliciously accuse the Jews. They remind him of his decree and single out Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, the men he appointed to manage the province. They say these men have ignored him, refused to serve his gods, and refused to worship the statue. Their service to the king has not included surrendering their worship to his command.

Questions

1 Where does the king set up the statue?

AnswerHe sets it up on the plain of Dura in the province of Babylon.

2 What must the people do when the music sounds?

AnswerThey must fall down and worship the golden statue, or be thrown immediately into the blazing furnace.

3 Who is singled out in the accusation?

AnswerShadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, whom the king appointed to manage the province, are singled out.

4 What do the accusers say about them?

AnswerThey say the three men have ignored the king and refuse to serve his gods or worship the statue.

What This Means for Us

The people are told to perform the same act of worship at the same moment, with death as the penalty for refusal. An outward act can be compelled even when a heart has not freely given its allegiance.

The accusation against the three men shows how quickly honest difference can be recast as disloyalty. A person may serve a government faithfully without giving it worship.

Talk about the difference between cooperation and worship. Children especially need permission to say no when a group demands an act that violates conscience or harms another person.

Prayer

God of truth, protect consciences under pressure. Give our household wisdom to cooperate where we can, courage to refuse false worship, and compassion for people who face punishment because they will not conform. Amen.

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