By Rev. Fr. Dr. Stephen A. Okeke
The mention of the name king Nebuchadnezzar evokes some feelings of trepidation and resentment knowing well that he represented a godless and wicked leader at least in the minds of the Jewish people. Nonetheless he was a cosmocrat, a great builder and glorifier of his capital city. He was one of the longest in throne of 34 years of reign. He encouraged imperial cult or emperor worship and erected statues for compulsory worship.
The three Jewish pages Shadrach, Meschach and Abednego were forced to worship his statue and offer sacrifices but they stood their ground in respect to the God of their ancestors. They knew the consequences of their disobedience but tenaciously held to their at the expense of their lives. It was a heroic show of fidelity and truthfulness. Truth the Lord says will set us free. And those who are truly children of Abraham will remain faithful and truthful at all times. He is our father in faith and we should remain firm in our resolute to defend the faith.
Unfortunately some Christians have aligned with destroyers of faith because of political and economic interests that they have maintained a seal lips at the massacre and killing of Christians in the land. Many have left the faith to embrace Islam because of fear of death and some have changed their Christian names to Arabic names to enable them win plumb contracts or jobs. “Nothing is more noble, nothing more venerable than fidelity.
