Daniel 3:19-20 - Then Nebuchadnezzar was furious with Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, and his attitude toward them changed. He ordered the furnace heated seven times hotter than usual and commanded some of the strongest soldiers in his army to tie up Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego and throw them into the blazing furnace.
Why stop at 7 times? Did they have any idea how to make it 7 times hotter? Had anyone ever asked for the temperature to be increased (by any amount) before? Did they make any attempt at measuring the temperature before throwing the men in?
Was this a common method of execution? Or was it unique to this special occasion? Interesting that, from the start, the threat of death was considered necessary to encourage everyone to worship the image of gold.
What was the furnace normally used for? Glass making? Smelting? Refining (the gold used for the image)? Was it part of a larger building or a standalone?
No comments:
Post a Comment