Please read this passage before reading this homily.
The ancient author made fun of the pagan overlords. For the full effect, read the entire piece from beginning to ending. Note the repetition when the author lists the musical instruments, the names of the members of the king ‘s court, even the names of the three youths (Shadrack, Meshach and Abednago). The huge statue is ten times higher than it is wide, a comically mis-proportioned work of art. Even the white-hot furnace is very much out of proportion. As a child I remember the catchy tune, delightful to hear and pleasant to sing, about the three youths and the fiery furnace.
This chapter also contains the Song of the three Youth with its repetition of the refrain, “praiseworthy and exalted above all for ever.” This repetition is not comical in structure or in rhythm. It is also directed to the one God of the three youths. The exaggerated pomp of the oppressors is comical; the solemn repetition praising God, is majestic.
The gods of the pagans are nothings; the God of Israel is everything. The followers and disciples of the true God, although bound and cast into fiery furnaces, are free and unharmed. The followers and disciples of the true God can claim Abraham as their father and enjoy the protection God gave Abraham. The result of the action of the youths is that the king himself declares his conversion.
By making fun of Nebuchadnezzar, the author professes faith in the one true God and gives example of proper worship of God. We are being taught now that we should not ridicule a person with whom we have differences and that we should not make fun of another person’s race, system of beliefs, ethnicity, language, sexual orientation or other aspects of the person’s being. It is always important to respect even our adversaries.