Conclusion of THEIR FAITH SURVIVED THE CRUCIBLE

Really, a religious spirit  pervaded all of Babylon.  The city boasted more than 50 temples, at which a vast array of gods and goddesses were worshipped , including the triad of Anu (god of the sky), Enlil (god of the earth, air and storm), and Ea (god over the waters).  Another trinity was made up of Sin (the  moon-god), Shamash (the sun-god), and Ishtar (the fertility goddess). Magic, sorcery, and astrology played a prominent role in Babylonian worship.

Living amid people who venerated many gods posed a formidable challenge for the Jewish exiles. Centuries earlier, Moses had warned the Israelites  that there would be dire consequences if they chose to rebel against the Supreme Lawgiver.  Moses told them: "Jehovah will march you and your king whom you will set up over you to a nation whom you have not known, neither you nor your forefathers; and there you will have to sever other gods, of wood and  of stone." -Deuteronomy 28:15, 36. 

The Jews now found themselves in that very predicament.  Keeping integrity to Jehovah would be difficult, especially for Daniel, Hananial, Mishael, and Azariah.  These four  young Hebrews had been specially selected to receive training for governmental service.  (Daniel 1:3-5) Remember tha thtey had even been assigned Babylonian names-Belteshazzar, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego-likely to influence them to conform to their new environment.  The high-profile positions of these men would make any refusal on their part to worship the gods of the land conspicuous-even treasonous. 

Next time: A GOLDEN IMAGE PRESENTS A THREAT


From the book: PAY ATTENTION TO DANIEL'S PROPHECY! 1999