The Volume of Silence

The Volume of Silence

Today, our story takes place long, long ago, in a land far in the east. This was a time of Kings, where nations would rise up against nations, people would conquer people, and if one lived through the battles they might be worse off than those killed in battle. Our story focuses on the tribe of Judah being conquered by the Babylonians and King Nebuchadnezzar. I apologize that we cannot get into the details of these two groups but this we should know. Judah was a unique nation; they served only One God. Most other nations served several gods and Babylon was no different. When Babylon conquered Judah, King Nebuchadnezzar had Israelites removed from the royal family and the nobility to serve the king. Specifically, he was looking for young men with no defect, handsome, intelligence in all learning, well informed, quick to learn, and qualified to serve in the king’s palace. Among these young men, 4 stood out high above all others: Belteshazzar (Daniel), Shadrach (Hananiah), Meshach (Mishael), and Abednego (Azariah). These men were placed in great positions in the province of Babylonian, even though they were Jews from the tribe of Judah. Our story today focuses on 3 of these young men, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego and the power of faith. We will retell a story where these young men trusted in God, defied the king, and put their lives on the line to stay true to the one and only God. We are going to hear a story and hear how loud silence can be.

We begin our story with King Nebuchadnezzar. No different than most kings at this time, King Nebuchadnezzar had an image of gold constructed. His was 90 feet high and 9 feet wide (this was not common) and he set it up on the plain of Dura in the province of Babylon. Like any proud king, he called for all of his officials to gather around. Look at the scene, the king is there with his head held high. The officials are looking at this magnificent image while making sure to honor the man who built it. There are satraps, prefects, governors, advisers, treasures, judges, magistrates and all other provincial officials at this assembly. The herald loudly proclaims “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. He doesn’t stop there; this next part is important. Whoever does not fall down and worship will immediately be thrown into a blazing furnace.” That’s the cue for the music. Can you hear it? The call to worship is heard all around the land. People begin to fall and worship an image, a man-made statue, they are brought into submission through the fear and power of a man who will take their life if they do not bow down.

Oh, what is this? There are some astrologers approaching the king. They tell the king, “May the king live forever! King, you have informed us all of what we are to do when we hear the music and if we do not fall down and worship we will be thrown into the furnace. The king looks at them with a slightly annoyed look on his face. He is well aware of all this information. What is their point and why are they troubling the king? They continue, “Some Jews whom you have set over the affairs of the province of Babylon – Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego – they pay no attention to you. They do not serve your gods and they don’t worship the image of gold you have set up.” You might be asking yourself. Why these astrologers care if other people are worshiping or not. Here is a little background on why this situation is being brought up. Those three names that were brought before the king, they are highly favored by the king. Not too long before this day the king had a dream. None of the magicians or astrologers could inform the king of what his dream was and therefore could not interpret the dream for the king. The king was not satisfied with this and decided that if they could not complete this impossible task all of them would be killed. Well, the good buddy of these 3 young men (mentioned above), Daniel or Belteshazzar, prayed to their God, the one and only God to see if he could intervene and their God did. Daniel interpreted the dream for the king and the king fell prostate to honor Daniel. He made him ruler over the entire province of Babylon and placed him in charge of all the wise men. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were appointed administrators over the province of Babylon also. So, back to the astrologers who are jealous of the position of these men and trying to have them killed!

The king is furious and has the 3 men called before him. The king questions them, “Is it true that you do not serve my gods or worship the image of gold I have set up?” The King continues, “I tell you what, the past doesn’t matter. There are more opportunities for you to make an adjustment and start doing the right thing. If you hear the music fall down and worship the image I made, all will be good. Of course, if you choose not to immediately into the blazing furnace. Then what god will be able to rescue you from my hand?”

Think with me for a second, what is going on in the minds of these three young men? How are they feeling? They were just summoned to appear before the king.

Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego are not fearful. They know why they are being called before the king. It was not an accident, it was not in hiding, it was intentional that they did not bow down. They are Jews and they hold firm to the teachings of those before them. They are to have no other God’s before them. They are not to worship man-made images and statues. They serve the one true God.

They reply to the king, “We don’t need to defend ourselves in this matter. To answer your question, the God we serve is able to deliver us from the furnace and he will deliver us from your majesty’s hand. Even if he doesn’t deliver us from the furnace we want you to know, Your Majesty, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up.”

Imagine the rage of the king at this point! These conquered people, who he invested in, that he put in high positions to serve him, are boldly standing in disobedience to him. Not only that but in front of all the high officials. A statement will be made.

“CRANK UP THE HEAT”, yells the king! He calls his strongest men of the army, “BIND THEM” he cracks! The flames are raging out of the fire, the soldiers are synching the ropes, the crowds are whispering to each other, a few of the soldiers are yelling, “let’em burn” and a huge commotion is going on all around. As they approach the flames one of the soldiers is engulfed by the flames and dies. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego are thrown into the furnace, fully clothed and tightly bound.

The flames are raging out of the fire, the soldiers are synching the ropes, the crowds are whispering to each other, a few of the soldiers are yelling, “let’em burn” and a huge commotion is going on all around. As they approach the flames one of the soldiers is engulfed by the flames and dies. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego are thrown into the furnace, fully clothed and tightly bound.

King Nebuchadnezzar leaps to his feet! He asks his advisor “weren’t there three men that we tied up and threw into the fire?” “Certainly, Your Majesty”, he replied. “LOOK! I see four men walking around in the fire, unbound and unharmed, and the fourth looks like a son of gods.” King Nebuchadnezzar approaches the opening and calls “Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, servants of the Most High God, come out! Come here! They come out. All those high officials gather around looking in amazement. Can you imagine? Pick at their clothes, touch their hair, smell for the signs of fire and burning. Nothing! As though they were never even in the fire!

King Nebuchadnezzar praised their God and this is what he learned from these humble men. “They TRUSTED in their God and defied the ruler's command. They were WILLING to give up their lives rather than SERVE or WORSHIP any god except their own GOD.

In a lost and fallen world will you TRUST in God, defy authority and common culture, so much that your life is on the line, in order to stay TRUE to your God? Will you do it through the LOUD SILENCE of your ACTIONS?