Page 65 - The Prophet-statesman a Drama of Daniel

And if the prime minister, Belteshazzar, were here, he would do exactly the same thing.
They have never been deflected in the slightest degree from the worship of Jehovah,
our Hebrew God, and obedience to His laws. The commandments given through Moses

strictly forbid bowing down to or worshipping any graven image,” Adiel explained.

Outrageous nonsense! As officials of Babylon they cannot be allowed to disobey
the king on the ground of such scruples―rigid adherence to the outworn laws of a

defunct religion. I note, Adiel, that you and your immediate friends are more
broadminded and have emancipated yourselves completely from such bondage.”
“You have also noted that those four have vastly higher positions in government
than I and my friends,” replied Adiel with an ironical tone and a shrug of his shoulders.

“At any rate, I shall see that they are reported to the king if they are not seen here
tomorrow and prostrating themselves before the image of the king at the appointed time,”
Belgar asserted vehemently. “I shall consult with some of the officials of the other
departments.”

Had it not been for the subtle question and later remarks addressed to Belgar by
Adiel, the absence of the ministers might have gone unnoticed, or at least unreported.
But now a fire had been kindled in Belgar, who passed the word along to the envious

officials in the other departments. They made themselves a committee for observation
on the second day, and at the time of high noon when the image was worshipped, assured
themselves that the ministers were not among those present.

Four, led by Belgar, immediately returned to the city and presented themselves at
the waiting-rooms of the palace. They sent word in to the king requesting an audience
in order to communicate an important matter to His Majesty.

Nebuchadnezzar received them immediately, and after the usual amenities,
demanded of them their business. Whereupon they replied: “Thou, O king hast made a
decree, that every man that shall hear the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut,
psaltery, and dulcimer and all kinds of music, shall fall down and worship the golden

image; and whoso falleth not down and worshipeth, that he should be cast into the midst
of a burning fiery furnance.”

“There are certain Jews whom thou hast set over the affairs of the province of
Babylon; Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego; these men, O King, have not regarded
thee: they serve not thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up.”

The first reaction of the king to this news was not anger, but self-reproach. It flashed

through his mind that again his impetuosity had led him to overlook important
implications of his acts. As in the former decree to kill all the wise men of Babylon, he