As Man Sees God’s View
By Abdiel
WHEN God revealed to Nebuchadnezzar that the kingdom of Babylon and all that followed it would eventually crumble into dust, the mighty king could not have it so. He saw Babylon the head of gold, but he saw that head covering, controlling, transmuting all the future. It would be all gold; it must be all gold. It was unpatriotic, nay, it was treason, to think that Babylon, Babylon the rich, the great, the beautiful, the seat of learning and religion, would not stand forever. This Babylonian view must be left to posterity. Therefore Nebuchadnezzar made a great image, reaching to the height of one hundred and ten feet, all of gold in appearance, and set it up in the plain of Dura where all could see it as it reflected the dazzling splendor of the sun. It proclaimed Babylon forever. It was Babylon’s fetish of patriotism. Then the king made this proclamation: “Then the herald cried aloud, To you it is commanded, O peoples, nations, and languages, that at what time ye hear the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, dulcimer, and all kinds of music, ye fall down and worship the golden image that Nebuchadnezzar the king hath set up; and whoso falleth not down and worshipeth shall the same hour be cast into the midst of a burning fiery furnace.” Verses 4-6, A.R.V.
Read the story. There were those in Nebuchadnezzar’s dominion who had seen God’s view of the nations. They could not fall down to the human or the human idea against God’s truth, however beautifully clothed, or howsoever much of earthly power there might be behind it. They must stand as the representatives of the God of truth and right. And they did stand. The proclamation was kindly repeated for their sakes. Nebuchadnezzar knew somewhat of their worth, but he divorced it from God, the one thing only which made them the men they were. The great assembly again bows in worship; the men of God — Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego — remain erect. They are called before the haughty and enraged monarch. They quail not; they have seen a Greater in His love. They are cast into the fiery furnace, and lo, the Greater goes with them and delivers them unharmed, while the minions of the promoter of patriotism against God perish in the fierce flames which would not touch the worshipers of the Most High.