Daniel’s friends had refused to worship an idol because they knew the true God. Some of their co-workers decided to make this work to their benefit. They didn’t want to waste a good opportunity. Daniel 3: 8-12 Just then, some Babylonian fortunetellers stepped up and accused the Jews. They said to King Nebuchadnezzar, “Long live the king! You gave strict orders, O king, that when the big band started playing, everyone had to fall to their knees and worship the gold statue, and whoever did not go to their knees and worship it had to be pitched into a roaring furnace. Well, there are some Jews here—Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego—whom you have placed in high positions in the province of Babylon. These men are ignoring you, O king. They don’t respect your gods and they won’t worship the gold statue you set up.”
13-15 Furious, King Nebuchadnezzar ordered Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego to be brought in.[1] (my emphasis)
You see, the fortunetellers were the king’s advisors and Daniel’s friends, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego had been trained for the same position. In Daniel chapter two, we see that these three are promoted because God enabled Daniel to interpret the king’s dream and then Daniel requested that the king promote them. Daniel 2: At Daniel’s request the king appointed Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego to administrative posts throughout Babylon, while Daniel governed from the royal headquarters.[2]
This may have happened over 2500 years ago, but jealousy and racism existed then as it does now. These tattletales probably envied the positions Daniel’s friends had. These three men were Jews, outsiders, exiles from a foreign land that should be serving them, not leading them. The tattletales see an opportunity and take advantage to get rid of those they see as interlopers.
Satan and evil work in much the same way today. I have been sad to see how scammers take advantage of worried people during this pandemic. We can see how evil works in the physical world, and it operates much the same in the spiritual realm. Satan will attack when you are the weakest and knows your frailties. That why in this time of social distancing, we must continue to encourage each other and grant grace in all situations.
To hear more about Daniel’s friends, listen here: https://podpoint.com/light-of-christ-church-podcast/series/daniel-a-man-of-character/trial-by-fire
[1,2] The Message (MSG) Copyright © 1993, 2002, 2018 by Eugene H. Peterson