June 4: AT THAT TIME (part 2)
Therefore at that time certain Chaldeans came forward and accused the Jews. They spoke and said to King Nebuchadnezzar, “O king, live forever! You, O king, have made a decree that everyone who hears the sound of the horn, flute, harp, lyre, and psaltery, in symphony with all kinds of music shall fall down and worship the gold image; and whoever does not fall down and worship shall be cast into the midst of a burning fiery furnace.” Daniel 3:8-11
The accusations by certain Chaldeans about to be lobbed against the Jews were not necessarily rooted in prejudice. The accusers and the accused were members of the same class of highly educated and well-trained advisors to the king. This attempt, rather than involving racial or nationalistic antagonism, was about professional jealousy. The Bible does not tell us exactly how much time passed between Nebuchadnezzar’s dream (chapter 2) and the erection of his colossal gold statue (chapter 3). But indications are that several years had passed, possibly fifteen. In any event, the resentful Chaldeans were biding their time. Remember that Daniel and his three loyal friends had, entirely by God’s grace, furnished the very information to the king that the Chaldeans had failed to supply (2:17-19, 31-45). How ironic that no sense of gratitude on the part of the Chaldeans for their very lives—spared because of the faithful Jews (2:24)—tempered their jealousy. Instead, they had long seethed over the positions given to these Hebrews (2:48-49).
Notice that, before mentioning those whom they would be accusing, the Chaldeans presented themselves to the king as defenders of his wishes. Again, an irony surfaces. Earlier, the king had wished for them to be executed (see 2:12) due to their claims regarding their “supernatural” abilities and the inability to deliver. But now the time is right, according to these “wise men”, to single out the objects of their simmering jealousy and denounce them before the king…
Going in for the kill: “There are certain Jews whom you have set over the affairs of the province of Babylon: Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego; these men, O king, have not paid due regard to you. They do not serve your gods or worship the gold image you have set up.” (3:12) This report, delivered to the king in a grave tone of the utmost concern, insinuated a lack of gratitude on the part of these certain Jews for the positions to which they had been elevated some years earlier. And the accusatory report had the desired effect: Then Nebuchadnezzar, in rage and fury, gave the command to bring Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego. So they brought these men before the king (v.13).
There are days to come when Christians who love God and obey His commandments (Revelation 12:17; 14:12) will be accused of insubordination in the earthly courts of man. But the people who know their God shall be strong and carry out great exploits… (Daniel 11:32b).
Beware of men, for they will deliver you up to councils and scourge you in their synagogues. You will be brought before governors and kings for My sake, as a testimony to them and to the Gentiles. But when they deliver you up, do not worry about how or what you should speak. For it will be given you in that hour what you should speak; for it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father who speaks in you. Matthew 10:17-20
(see also Exodus 4:12; Mark 13:9; Luke 12:11-12; 21:12-15; 1 John 5:2-3)