a fiery furnace

August 7, 2017

The accusations against the Jews (Dan 3:8-3:11)

“Therefore,

At this time,

Certain Chaldeans

Came forward.

They denounced

The Jews.

They said

To King Nebuchadnezzar.

‘O king!

Live forever!

You!

O king!

Have made a decree

That everyone

Who hears

The sound of the horn,

The pipe,

The lyre,

The trigon,

The harp,

The drum,

The entire musical ensemble,

Shall fall down!

They shall worship

The golden statue.

Whoever does not

Fall down,

Who does not

Worship,

Shall be thrown

Into a furnace

Of a blazing fire.’”

Certain Chaldeans went to King Nebuchadnezzar to denounce the Jews. They reminded him that he had sent out a decree that everyone who heard the sound of the horn, the pipe, the lyre, the trigon, the harp, the drum, or any musical instrument should fall down and worship this golden statue. Anyone who failed to do so, would be thrown into a fiery furnace.

August 6, 2017

The herald’s proclamation (Dan 3:4-3:6)

“The herald

Proclaimed aloud.

‘You are commanded!

O peoples!

O nations!

O languages!

When you hear

The sound of the horn,

The pipe,

The lyre,

The trigon,

The harp,

The drum,

The entire musical ensemble,

You are to fall down!

You are to worship

The golden statue

That King Nebuchadnezzar

Has set up!

Whoever does not

Fall down,

Whoever does not

Worship,

Shall immediately

Be thrown

Into a furnace

Of a blazing fire.’”

The king’s herald announced to all standing there around this statue. All the people, countries, and various language groups were to fall down and worship this statue, when a musical sound would be made. They were to listen for the sound of a horn, a pipe, a lyre, a trigon, a harp, or a drum. Then, they were to worship this golden statue. Anyone who failed to worship this statue would immediately be thrown into a fiery furnace.