S114P2 – Golden images: the king’s creation

Dan. 3:4-6

Then the herald loudly proclaimed, “Nations and peoples of every language, this is what you are commanded to do: As soon as you hear the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, pipe and all kinds of music, you must fall down and worship the image of gold that King Nebuchadnezzar has set up. Whoever does not fall down and worship will immediately be thrown into a blazing furnace.”

He had won the privilege of learning his craft under one of the masters, and he would not waste that opportunity.  As his apprenticeship began, he started to take on the habits of his teacher.  When it came to his work, this was a good decision, but he soon would start to lose himself.  There was great pressure to do everything just as his teacher had taught him, and they would spend countless hours together.  Before long, he was being molded not just in his work but in his beliefs and his character.  This master was trying to influence much more than his work and begin to chip away at the apprentice’s faith.  The young man realized that he could not keep his teacher’s favor without giving up himself. 

King Nebuchadnezzar executed his position of power with complete dominance.  He was not satisfied with being revered and obeyed as king.  The allegiance of the people had to go much further for him.  He wanted his subjects to believe as he believed.  Simple disingenuous agreement would not suffice.  The king wanted to see the people worship the way he worshiped as evidence that they had become what he wanted them to be.  When the three children of God refused to bow to this image or worship other gods, the king was incensed.  He did not have the control he desired.  When those men defied him, King Nebuchadnezzar fell from that near godlike position he insisted on occupying. 

There has been much debate over the nature of the golden image created by King Nebuchadnezzar.  Whether it was the image of a god, of himself, or of some other man, that image was put in a place reserved for God, and his children refused to worship it or serve the gods of the king.  This image was created to exert power and control, to direct the people’s faith and keep them in the dark.  One man, hungry for more than reasonable authority over his subjects, deified a lump of metal and surely drove others to destruction with him as they followed his lead.  Father, protect us from the idolatrous influences of the world and those who have authority over us.