29 Therefore I decree that the people of any nation or language who say anything against the God of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego be cut into pieces and their houses be turned into piles of rubble, for no other god can save in this way.”
In chapter 2 Nebuchadnezzar becomes convinced of God's all knowing power due to Daniel's interpretation of his dream. We don't know how much time has passed but here we see Nebuchadnezzar has apparently forgotten about that and is building his own golden gods for people to worhsip. Then through God delivering Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego from the fire he becomes convinced again of God's greatness.
I just thought it was interesting that he feels the need to take control and issue a decree for anyone who doesn't workship the God of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego. On the surface it looks well intentioned display of wanting to make people accountable to God. But you would think he would have learned at this point God doesn't need his help. To me it looks more like he wants to continue to demonstrate his control that wanting people to truly follow God.
I think I'm no different than Nebuchadnezzar. I get convinced of God's greatness over and over yet revert to trying to be in control over and over. Probably a struggle that will go on for my entire life. I do pray that I get better at trying to follow him faithfully rather than trying to always thinking I am in control.
knut
I thought the same thing when I read his reaction. He is trying to take control of a situation, where he has clearly lost it. Funny. And to think that his reaction to God displaying his power, is to threated to cut people to pieces, makes me laugh. I can't imagine that's really what God would want.
ReplyDelete25 He said, “Look! I see four men walking around in the fire, unbound and unharmed, and the fourth looks like a son of the gods.”
When I read this verse, I found myself wondering what was different about the 4th figure in the furnace. Why did he say he looked like the son of the gods? hhhmmmmm...