The Grands Letter

Dear Grands,

Daniel 3:11, “…whoever does not fall down and worship (the image) shall be cast into the midst of a furnace of blazing fire.”

It seems to be the nature of self-exalting rulers to establish images of various kinds in their own honor. In ancient times it was much easier for pagan rulers to command their subjects to bow before these images. Those who refused, for whatever reason, subjected themselves to whatever heinous punishment suited the king. In ancient Babylon, and under King Nebuchadnezzar, that punishment was death in a fiery furnace.

One writer stated it like this:

“The furnace was probably a furnace used commercially as a lime-kiln, or brick-kiln.

Eastern potentates of that day were accustomed to practice methods of cruel punishment

for the slightest disobedience to their commands. Refusal to do homage to the image,

since it was erected by the king and for his glory, would be regarded as equivalent to

treason to the state. Whatever the king approved of, they all approved of. There is no

stability of principle in the ungodly.”

Another writer noted,

“A traveler of some three centuries ago (1671-77) by the name of Chardin went to the

territory of Persia and noted that two furnaces of fire were kept burning for a month for

consuming those who overcharged for food.”

Hananiah (“Beloved of the LORD”); Mishael (“Who is as God”); and Azariah (“the LORD is my help”) all determined not to fall down and do homage to the statue or to the king. And while it is interesting to note that no mention was made of Daniel during this time, there is no credible reason to believe that he would have taken any other stand than that taken by his Jewish companions.

The three Jewish lads took a positive stand against the king and his edict. Listen to their boldness:

“O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to give you an answer concerning this matter.

17 “If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the furnace of blazing

fire; and He will deliver us out of your hand, O king. 18 “But even if He does not, let it be

known to you, O king, that we are not going to serve your gods or worship the golden

image that you have set up” (Dan. 3:16-18).

Ultimately, the lads were cast fully clothed into the fiery furnace! If you wonder just how hot the furnace was, verse 22 states, “because the king’s command was urgent and the furnace had been made extremely hot, the flame of the fire slew those men who carried up Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego” for the purpose of casting them into the furnace.

One interesting point is that those scheduled for destruction, lived, while those participating in the lads’ intended destruction, died themselves in the flames. That reminds me of Haman in the Book of Esther. He plotted against Mordecai, but ultimately died on the very gallows he prepared for Mordecai.

Nebuchadnezzar actually visualized the LORD’s control. He saw four men walking in the midst of the fire! And when the three lads were released, the fire “had no effect on the bodies of these men, nor was the hair of their head singed, nor were their trousers damaged, nor had the smell of fire even come upon them” (Dan. 3:26-27).

Never be afraid to follow the LORD’s instructions! Be afraid not to! He is always in control.

“…do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and that you are not your own? 20 For you have been bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body” (1 Cor. 6:19-20).

Heartily in Christ Jesus,

(Dado III)

P. S. Today Teri and I visited the nurses who so lovingly cared for Rose Marie. Even Dr. Schaefer,

her hemotologist, came out to greet us. There is no doubt that she made a lasting, Christlike impression on all of them. Please pray for Nurse Ruth Miner’s husband, who today underwent surgery similar to that of Rose Marie. Ruth and her husband are Christians.

Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.

Springdale, Arkansas 72764

United States of America

“We never know that God is all we need

until He becomes all that we have.”