53. IS FATE REAL?In a contest between God and the idol of fate, who wins?
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Good government protects and guarantees the basic freedoms of people. Everyone should have the basic human rights to raise a family, to own property and to get an education. It is a foundational freedom for people to be able to work and get paid for their work. Another basic freedom is the right to worship as one chooses. More than a few times in history great troubles have arisen where gov- ernment has superimposed laws regarding worship. In other words, governments have dictated how, when, and where people were to worship. Thankfully, in Turkey we have the right to worship as we wish. Every person can choose whether they wish to be a Muslim, Jew, Christian, Buddhist or even Atheist. It’s their right. It is a freedom we accept without much thought. But really the freedom is a great treasure. Unfortunately, it isn’t that way everywhere around the world. History has proven that where government and religion are intertwined, trouble is sure to follow. In this lesson we will look at the courage of a few men who found themselves in just that
situation. Let us begin this lesson with a short story from the pages of history.
In 1492 King Ferdinand of Spain, issued an edict to expel from his country all the Jews who had not converted to Catholicism. Many yielded to this pressure and became Catholics, while others stood for the faith of their ancestors and faced persecution. When the news of forced expulsion reached the Ottoman Empire, Sultan Beyazit II issued a decree welcoming Spanish Jews into the Ottoman ter- ritories. This decree has been historically noted as one of the rst visionary gestures of a “global community.” From Sultan Beyazit’s perspective, he couldn’t see why Spain would toss out such a class of useful and skilled people. He joked with his courtiers,
"You venture to call Ferdinand a wise ruler, he who has impoverished his own country and enriched mine!"
As a result of this invitation, a signi cant portion of the Spanish Jews came to the Ottoman Empire. Once here, they became known as Sephardic Jews.11
Since that first invitation 500 years ago, the Ottoman Sultans and the Turkish Republic have offered Jews a safe haven from perse- cution in the European countries. It has been suggested that one of the characteristics that extended the domination of the Ottoman Empire was its allowance of religious freedom for the different nationalities and minorities under its rule. While many European na- tions expelled, persecuted or tried to convert the Jews under their dominion, the Turkish people of the Ottoman Empire, remained as an outstanding example of tolerance of different nationalities with different religions. Thank you Sultan Beyazit for such an example.
In the third chapter of the Prophet Daniel’s book, we nd a powerful story of loyalty to monotheism, despite religious intolerance. In the last chapter we saw Nebuchadnezzar’s stunning dream of a metal statue: gold, silver, bronze, iron and iron mixed with clay. These represented the kingdoms of the world, all ultimately toppled by the kingdom of God.
About ten years after this dream, King Nebuchadnezzar decided to make his own glorious statue. Whether it was a statue of himself or an idol of a pagan god, we don’t know. But we do know that the statue was nearly 30 meters high. More amazing is that it was made of gold, a tribute to the king himself!
Nebuchadnezzar was an interesting ruler. Like Sultan Beyazit, he had high regard for the learned and intelligent men of other cultures. Nebuchadnezzar was a powerful conqueror, having conquered even Egypt. After conquering an area, he took captive the most gifted people and set them to work in his kingdom. Nebuchadnezzar was also noted for building great projects. One of them was known as the “Hanging Gardens” and one of the Seven Wonders of the World. Modern archaeology tells us that all over ancient Babylon there were temples and statues built for pagan deities. Let’s start reading about his grandest and most famous statue in Daniel chapter 3 verses 1-6:
1 King Nebuchadnezzar made an image of gold, whose height was sixty cubits and its breadth six cubits. He set it up on the plain of Dura, in the province of Babylon. 2 Then King Nebuchadnezzar sent to gather the satraps, the prefects, the of cials of the provinces to come to the dedication of the image that King Nebuchadnezzar had set up. 3 Then the satraps, the prefects, and the governors, the counselors, the treasurers, the justices, the magistrates, and all the officials of the provinces gathered for the dedication of the image that King Nebuchadnezzar had set up. 4 And they stood before the image that Nebuchadnezzar had set up. 5 And the herald proclaimed aloud, "You are commanded, O peoples, nations, and languages, that when you hear the sound of the horn, pipe, lyre, trigon, harp, bagpipe, and every kind of music, you are to fall down and worship the golden image that King Nebuchadnezzar has set up. 6 And whoever does not fall down and worship shall immediately be cast into a burning fiery furnace."
Here was a royal invitation to a tuxedo event. All of the highest- ranking of cials of the country would have been there! But it was a strange invitation because it came with the threat of death!
“Come, bow, or be burned.”
Most likely the furnace he mentioned was very large and used for purifying gold or glazing bricks. It quite possibly was even used to
make the golden image. Try to imagine a giant pide furnace, ready to be red up for any of the guests who refused to honor this statue made of gold.
Nebuchadnezzar sat as a proud king watching over all these intelligent, well-educated men and perhaps even women, dressed in their nest silk robes. It was a grand occasion and had been planned to the nest detail. Even the instruments that were to be played were planned ahead. The mood of the moment, when all the rich and famous were to bow, was to be set perfectly with enchanting music.
But of course the story wouldn’t be much of a story if everything went exactly as planned! There was trouble at this government sponsored, image worshipping party. Let’s see what happened next in Daniel chapter 3 verses 8, 9, 12 and 13:
8 Therefore at that time certain Chaldeans came forward and maliciously accused the Jews. 9 They declared to King Nebuchad- nezzar, "O king, live forever!12 There are certain Jews whom you have appointed over the affairs of the province of Babylon: Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. These men, O king, pay no attention to you; they do not serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up." 13 Then Nebuchadnezzar in his rage and fury commanded to bring Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. Then they brought these men before the king.
Imagine the guards thrusting the men before the king.
"Here are the three men who refused to bow to your statue! O king."
Where had they learned such loyalty to the God of heaven? Of course, from their mother and father, when they were boys. They had learned the second of the Ten Commandments, which says, “make no idols.” Certainly they learned from God’s Spirit who told them that this was wrong. They may have only been three young men standing among hundreds of officials and intellectuals, but they were brave and taking a stand for what was right. Was it a foolish move? Couldn’t they have bowed with the others and simply asked God to look the other way for a moment? After bowing, couldn’t they just recite some prayers or do some good works to outweigh their disobedience? They could have tried, but it wouldn’t have worked because good works can’t erase the sin we commit. No! While all bowed, they stood up for truth.
King Nebuchadnezzar was irate because there was more at stake than just a few men’s disobedience. You see, Nebuchadnezzar means “the favorite son of the god of Nabu.” Well, who is Nabu? He was the god of fate. Though popularly accepted, many would be surprised to learn that the idea of Fate –each man's life be- ing scripted ahead of time– has its roots in paganism. In ancient Babylonian belief, Nabu controlled everyone’s fate. Now, King Nebuchadnezzar, Nabu’s favorite, was being challenged by these young men’s refusal to bow. Did he really have control of their fate? Apparently, the king believed he did. Let’s see what he did in Daniel chapter 3 verse 14:
14 Nebuchadnezzar answered and said to them, "Is it true, O Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, that you do not serve my gods or worship the golden image that I have set up?
Surprisingly he decided to give them a second chance. We can read about it in verse 15:
15 Now if you are ready when you hear the sound of the horn, pipe, lyre, trigon, harp, bagpipe, and every kind of music, to fall down and worship the image that I have made, well and good. But if you do not worship, you shall immediately be cast into a burning ery furnace. And who is the god who will deliver you out of my hands?"
But the three men didn’t want or need a second chance. Without hesitation, they responded to the king’s offer in verses 16-18:
16 Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego answered and said to the king, "O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer you in this
matter. 17 If this be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of your hand, O king. 18 But if not, be it known to you, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up."
It was like throwing gasoline on a fire! Nebuchadnezzar blew his top. We can read his reaction in Daniel chapter 3 verse 19:
19 Then Nebuchadnezzar was lled with fury, and the expres- sion of his face was changed against Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. He ordered the furnace heated seven times more than it was usually heated.
King Nebuchadnezzar was going to show them who controlled their fate! Wood and straw were added to the furnace. Then great bellows began to blow and within a minute the furnace was roaring. Flames were leaping from the sides and top of the furnace and the clay oven was even turning orange from the heat!
The young men were unwavering in their commitment to worship the true God. These were wealthy esteemed men who had worked their way into a life of government service. They were enjoying the benefits of wealth and position. All they had to do was bow to avoid shame and persecution by the king. But guided by inner principle and a loyalty to their God, they would not bow. To do so would shame their faith and their God.
In front of all the other dignitaries, Nebuchadnezzar roared with fury. He demanded the three men be immediately cast into that blaz- ing furnace. Here is the story from Daniel chapter 3 verses 20-22:
20 And he ordered some of the mighty men of his army to bind Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, and to cast them into the burning ery furnace. 21 Then these men were bound in their cloaks, their tunics, their hats, and their other garments, and they were thrown into the burning ery furnace. 22 Because the king's order was urgent and the furnace overheated, the flame of the fire killed those men who took up Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego.
The great crowd watched in amazement. The soldiers fell to the ground dead. The king stood to his feet. Within seconds the men should have been turned to ashes in that re. But instead silence fell upon the crowd as they stared into the raging fire, hardly believing their eyes. The three men stood up in the furnace! The flames were leaping around them, but they were not burning! Listen to Daniel’s description of this miraculous event in verses 23 and 24:
23 And these three men, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, fell bound into the burning ery furnace. 24 Then King Nebuchad- nezzar was astonished and rose up in haste. He declared to his counselors, "Did we not cast three men bound into the fire?" They answered and said to the king, "True, O king."
The king’s question was an important one because to everyone’s amazement it seemed as if God Himself was at the side of these beloved young men in the midst of the re! Read closely in verses 25-27:
25 He answered and said, "But I see four men unbound, walking in the midst of the re, and they are not hurt; and the appearance of the fourth is like a son of the gods." 26 Then Nebuchadnezzar came near to the door of the burning ery furnace; he declared, "Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, servants of the Most High God, come out, and come here!" Then Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego came out from the re. 27 And the satraps, the pre- fects, the governors, and the king's counselors gathered together and saw that the re had not had any power over the bodies of those men. The hair of their heads was not singed, their cloaks were not harmed, and no smell of re had come upon them.
God is faithful to his own! He didn’t save them from the re. He saved them in the fire! Just as He had protected thousands at the Red Sea by coming in a great pillar of cloud and ame, God protected Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego. But this time He appeared in person. God spared their lives and showed Himself powerful to the pagan king.
Remember, Nebuchadnezzar’s name meant “son of the fate god.” Now even he realized fate was a false god and was no match for heaven’s principles of loyalty and love built on human choice.
Moved with emotion and in front of all the people, Nebuchadnezzar made the following declaration in chapter 3 verse 28:
28 Nebuchadnezzar answered and said, "Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, who has sent his angel and delivered his servants, who trusted in him, and set aside the king's command, and yielded up their bodies rather than serve and worship any god except their own God.
We began by considering one of the most basic human freedoms, the right to be able to worship as one chooses. In May 1844, an of- cial Ottoman edict was issued. It read,
“No subject of the Sublime [Ottoman] State shall be forced by anyone to convert to Islam against their wishes.”
It was a reflection of the idea that there should be no compulsion in religion. Similarly in the Reform Edict of 1856 the Sultan pro- claimed,
“All forms of religion are and shall be freely professed in my dominions. No subject of my empire shall be hindered in the exercise of the religion that he professes.”
In other words, freedom of religion was not a concept, idea, or dream. It was a reality and no person could be forced to believe something against their conscience or will. Furthermore, all religions would be respected and freely practiced within the boundaries of the empire. In short, you were free to worship as you pleased.
Of course with this same freedom a person has the right to ignore truth. It is sad, and a shame upon the human intellect, that a person wouldn’t even be interested in nding the TRUTH! Congratulations for exercising your right and God- given duty to study for yourself the ancient writings of God.
Today in Turkey we are blessed to have government that has affirmed that all people are equal without distinction of religion. But seasons come, laws change, and the winds of popular opinion blow. Someday perhaps you will be forced to decide if you will make a public stand for truth or not, just like Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego. May God help you to stand tall in your commitment.
Discussion Questions
1. What do you think those three faithful men were thinking when the music began to play and everyone bowed?
2. After coming out of the fire, what might the three men have told King Nebuchadnezzar about the God in heaven?
3. What freedoms do you think are God given? How does government work to guarantee these?
4. Why is it dangerous when a government begins to mandate religious forms and practices?
11 Sephardic is derived from the Hebrew word Sephard which means Spain.
situation. Let us begin this lesson with a short story from the pages of history.
In 1492 King Ferdinand of Spain, issued an edict to expel from his country all the Jews who had not converted to Catholicism. Many yielded to this pressure and became Catholics, while others stood for the faith of their ancestors and faced persecution. When the news of forced expulsion reached the Ottoman Empire, Sultan Beyazit II issued a decree welcoming Spanish Jews into the Ottoman ter- ritories. This decree has been historically noted as one of the rst visionary gestures of a “global community.” From Sultan Beyazit’s perspective, he couldn’t see why Spain would toss out such a class of useful and skilled people. He joked with his courtiers,
"You venture to call Ferdinand a wise ruler, he who has impoverished his own country and enriched mine!"
As a result of this invitation, a signi cant portion of the Spanish Jews came to the Ottoman Empire. Once here, they became known as Sephardic Jews.11
Since that first invitation 500 years ago, the Ottoman Sultans and the Turkish Republic have offered Jews a safe haven from perse- cution in the European countries. It has been suggested that one of the characteristics that extended the domination of the Ottoman Empire was its allowance of religious freedom for the different nationalities and minorities under its rule. While many European na- tions expelled, persecuted or tried to convert the Jews under their dominion, the Turkish people of the Ottoman Empire, remained as an outstanding example of tolerance of different nationalities with different religions. Thank you Sultan Beyazit for such an example.
In the third chapter of the Prophet Daniel’s book, we nd a powerful story of loyalty to monotheism, despite religious intolerance. In the last chapter we saw Nebuchadnezzar’s stunning dream of a metal statue: gold, silver, bronze, iron and iron mixed with clay. These represented the kingdoms of the world, all ultimately toppled by the kingdom of God.
About ten years after this dream, King Nebuchadnezzar decided to make his own glorious statue. Whether it was a statue of himself or an idol of a pagan god, we don’t know. But we do know that the statue was nearly 30 meters high. More amazing is that it was made of gold, a tribute to the king himself!
Nebuchadnezzar was an interesting ruler. Like Sultan Beyazit, he had high regard for the learned and intelligent men of other cultures. Nebuchadnezzar was a powerful conqueror, having conquered even Egypt. After conquering an area, he took captive the most gifted people and set them to work in his kingdom. Nebuchadnezzar was also noted for building great projects. One of them was known as the “Hanging Gardens” and one of the Seven Wonders of the World. Modern archaeology tells us that all over ancient Babylon there were temples and statues built for pagan deities. Let’s start reading about his grandest and most famous statue in Daniel chapter 3 verses 1-6:
1 King Nebuchadnezzar made an image of gold, whose height was sixty cubits and its breadth six cubits. He set it up on the plain of Dura, in the province of Babylon. 2 Then King Nebuchadnezzar sent to gather the satraps, the prefects, the of cials of the provinces to come to the dedication of the image that King Nebuchadnezzar had set up. 3 Then the satraps, the prefects, and the governors, the counselors, the treasurers, the justices, the magistrates, and all the officials of the provinces gathered for the dedication of the image that King Nebuchadnezzar had set up. 4 And they stood before the image that Nebuchadnezzar had set up. 5 And the herald proclaimed aloud, "You are commanded, O peoples, nations, and languages, that when you hear the sound of the horn, pipe, lyre, trigon, harp, bagpipe, and every kind of music, you are to fall down and worship the golden image that King Nebuchadnezzar has set up. 6 And whoever does not fall down and worship shall immediately be cast into a burning fiery furnace."
Here was a royal invitation to a tuxedo event. All of the highest- ranking of cials of the country would have been there! But it was a strange invitation because it came with the threat of death!
“Come, bow, or be burned.”
Most likely the furnace he mentioned was very large and used for purifying gold or glazing bricks. It quite possibly was even used to
make the golden image. Try to imagine a giant pide furnace, ready to be red up for any of the guests who refused to honor this statue made of gold.
Nebuchadnezzar sat as a proud king watching over all these intelligent, well-educated men and perhaps even women, dressed in their nest silk robes. It was a grand occasion and had been planned to the nest detail. Even the instruments that were to be played were planned ahead. The mood of the moment, when all the rich and famous were to bow, was to be set perfectly with enchanting music.
But of course the story wouldn’t be much of a story if everything went exactly as planned! There was trouble at this government sponsored, image worshipping party. Let’s see what happened next in Daniel chapter 3 verses 8, 9, 12 and 13:
8 Therefore at that time certain Chaldeans came forward and maliciously accused the Jews. 9 They declared to King Nebuchad- nezzar, "O king, live forever!12 There are certain Jews whom you have appointed over the affairs of the province of Babylon: Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. These men, O king, pay no attention to you; they do not serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up." 13 Then Nebuchadnezzar in his rage and fury commanded to bring Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. Then they brought these men before the king.
Imagine the guards thrusting the men before the king.
"Here are the three men who refused to bow to your statue! O king."
Where had they learned such loyalty to the God of heaven? Of course, from their mother and father, when they were boys. They had learned the second of the Ten Commandments, which says, “make no idols.” Certainly they learned from God’s Spirit who told them that this was wrong. They may have only been three young men standing among hundreds of officials and intellectuals, but they were brave and taking a stand for what was right. Was it a foolish move? Couldn’t they have bowed with the others and simply asked God to look the other way for a moment? After bowing, couldn’t they just recite some prayers or do some good works to outweigh their disobedience? They could have tried, but it wouldn’t have worked because good works can’t erase the sin we commit. No! While all bowed, they stood up for truth.
King Nebuchadnezzar was irate because there was more at stake than just a few men’s disobedience. You see, Nebuchadnezzar means “the favorite son of the god of Nabu.” Well, who is Nabu? He was the god of fate. Though popularly accepted, many would be surprised to learn that the idea of Fate –each man's life be- ing scripted ahead of time– has its roots in paganism. In ancient Babylonian belief, Nabu controlled everyone’s fate. Now, King Nebuchadnezzar, Nabu’s favorite, was being challenged by these young men’s refusal to bow. Did he really have control of their fate? Apparently, the king believed he did. Let’s see what he did in Daniel chapter 3 verse 14:
14 Nebuchadnezzar answered and said to them, "Is it true, O Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, that you do not serve my gods or worship the golden image that I have set up?
Surprisingly he decided to give them a second chance. We can read about it in verse 15:
15 Now if you are ready when you hear the sound of the horn, pipe, lyre, trigon, harp, bagpipe, and every kind of music, to fall down and worship the image that I have made, well and good. But if you do not worship, you shall immediately be cast into a burning ery furnace. And who is the god who will deliver you out of my hands?"
But the three men didn’t want or need a second chance. Without hesitation, they responded to the king’s offer in verses 16-18:
16 Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego answered and said to the king, "O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer you in this
matter. 17 If this be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of your hand, O king. 18 But if not, be it known to you, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up."
It was like throwing gasoline on a fire! Nebuchadnezzar blew his top. We can read his reaction in Daniel chapter 3 verse 19:
19 Then Nebuchadnezzar was lled with fury, and the expres- sion of his face was changed against Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. He ordered the furnace heated seven times more than it was usually heated.
King Nebuchadnezzar was going to show them who controlled their fate! Wood and straw were added to the furnace. Then great bellows began to blow and within a minute the furnace was roaring. Flames were leaping from the sides and top of the furnace and the clay oven was even turning orange from the heat!
The young men were unwavering in their commitment to worship the true God. These were wealthy esteemed men who had worked their way into a life of government service. They were enjoying the benefits of wealth and position. All they had to do was bow to avoid shame and persecution by the king. But guided by inner principle and a loyalty to their God, they would not bow. To do so would shame their faith and their God.
In front of all the other dignitaries, Nebuchadnezzar roared with fury. He demanded the three men be immediately cast into that blaz- ing furnace. Here is the story from Daniel chapter 3 verses 20-22:
20 And he ordered some of the mighty men of his army to bind Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, and to cast them into the burning ery furnace. 21 Then these men were bound in their cloaks, their tunics, their hats, and their other garments, and they were thrown into the burning ery furnace. 22 Because the king's order was urgent and the furnace overheated, the flame of the fire killed those men who took up Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego.
The great crowd watched in amazement. The soldiers fell to the ground dead. The king stood to his feet. Within seconds the men should have been turned to ashes in that re. But instead silence fell upon the crowd as they stared into the raging fire, hardly believing their eyes. The three men stood up in the furnace! The flames were leaping around them, but they were not burning! Listen to Daniel’s description of this miraculous event in verses 23 and 24:
23 And these three men, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, fell bound into the burning ery furnace. 24 Then King Nebuchad- nezzar was astonished and rose up in haste. He declared to his counselors, "Did we not cast three men bound into the fire?" They answered and said to the king, "True, O king."
The king’s question was an important one because to everyone’s amazement it seemed as if God Himself was at the side of these beloved young men in the midst of the re! Read closely in verses 25-27:
25 He answered and said, "But I see four men unbound, walking in the midst of the re, and they are not hurt; and the appearance of the fourth is like a son of the gods." 26 Then Nebuchadnezzar came near to the door of the burning ery furnace; he declared, "Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, servants of the Most High God, come out, and come here!" Then Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego came out from the re. 27 And the satraps, the pre- fects, the governors, and the king's counselors gathered together and saw that the re had not had any power over the bodies of those men. The hair of their heads was not singed, their cloaks were not harmed, and no smell of re had come upon them.
God is faithful to his own! He didn’t save them from the re. He saved them in the fire! Just as He had protected thousands at the Red Sea by coming in a great pillar of cloud and ame, God protected Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego. But this time He appeared in person. God spared their lives and showed Himself powerful to the pagan king.
Remember, Nebuchadnezzar’s name meant “son of the fate god.” Now even he realized fate was a false god and was no match for heaven’s principles of loyalty and love built on human choice.
Moved with emotion and in front of all the people, Nebuchadnezzar made the following declaration in chapter 3 verse 28:
28 Nebuchadnezzar answered and said, "Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, who has sent his angel and delivered his servants, who trusted in him, and set aside the king's command, and yielded up their bodies rather than serve and worship any god except their own God.
We began by considering one of the most basic human freedoms, the right to be able to worship as one chooses. In May 1844, an of- cial Ottoman edict was issued. It read,
“No subject of the Sublime [Ottoman] State shall be forced by anyone to convert to Islam against their wishes.”
It was a reflection of the idea that there should be no compulsion in religion. Similarly in the Reform Edict of 1856 the Sultan pro- claimed,
“All forms of religion are and shall be freely professed in my dominions. No subject of my empire shall be hindered in the exercise of the religion that he professes.”
In other words, freedom of religion was not a concept, idea, or dream. It was a reality and no person could be forced to believe something against their conscience or will. Furthermore, all religions would be respected and freely practiced within the boundaries of the empire. In short, you were free to worship as you pleased.
Of course with this same freedom a person has the right to ignore truth. It is sad, and a shame upon the human intellect, that a person wouldn’t even be interested in nding the TRUTH! Congratulations for exercising your right and God- given duty to study for yourself the ancient writings of God.
Today in Turkey we are blessed to have government that has affirmed that all people are equal without distinction of religion. But seasons come, laws change, and the winds of popular opinion blow. Someday perhaps you will be forced to decide if you will make a public stand for truth or not, just like Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego. May God help you to stand tall in your commitment.
Discussion Questions
1. What do you think those three faithful men were thinking when the music began to play and everyone bowed?
2. After coming out of the fire, what might the three men have told King Nebuchadnezzar about the God in heaven?
3. What freedoms do you think are God given? How does government work to guarantee these?
4. Why is it dangerous when a government begins to mandate religious forms and practices?
11 Sephardic is derived from the Hebrew word Sephard which means Spain.