Page 103 - Daniel

instruments and three stringed instruments, followed by another wind
instrument. If the final instrument is for percussion, however, the order
of the instruments is harmonious. Daniel would have listed two wind
instruments, then three stringed instruments, and one percussion
instrument. While the exact identification of the instruments remains

difficult, here is a proposed listing: horn, double-reed pipe, lyre, harp,
dulcimer, and drum. 30

At the sound of the music, all those gathered were to fall prostrate to
the ground and give homage to the golden image. This has been taken
by some to prove that the image was a deity or idol. But as pointed out
above, the purpose of this event was most likely to reaffirm loyalty to
Nebuchadnezzar and honor the greatness of his kingdom. This is why the
refusal of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego to fall before the golden
image was, to the king, an act of high treason. Because the purpose of

this event was primarily governmental and political rather than religious
—although the image could represent a Babylonian god—we can
conclude that there is no direct parallel between this and the persecution
of Antiochus Epiphanes in the second century B.C., which liberals cite as

the background for this story in Daniel. Antiochus was attempting to
destroy the Jewish religion, but this was not Nebuchadnezzar’s objective.
Even so, the order to bow down to the image was religiously offensive to
Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego.

Photo of a modern brick kiln in Iraq. It’s likely the “fiery furnace” used by
Nebuchadnezzar was a brick kiln.

The herald made plain that anyone who did not obey the command to
fall down and worship would be immediately thrown into a burning