(a) Explain how the faith of Shedrach, Meshach and Abednego was tested in Babylon. (b)...

Explanation

(a) The faith of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego was tested in Babylon:

(i) King Nebuchadnezzar set up a golden image and invited all the officers to its dedication.

(ii) All his subjects were ordered to worship the image at the sound of music.

(iii) All obeyed except Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego.

(iv) Some Chaldeans reported them and they were summoned by the king.

(v) The King was ready to give them a second chance and threatened to deal with them should they disobey again.

(vi) They bluntly rejected the king's order and chose to die should the God choose not to deliver them.

(vii) Nebuchadnezzar in rage, ordered the furnace heated seven times more and his mighty soldiers threw them in.

(viii) The soldiers were killed by the intense heat while the three men fell into the furnace unhurt.

(ix) On lookers were amazed seeing four instead of the three men thrown into fire.

(x) And the king declared that the fourth was like a son of gods.

(xi) He called out Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego who had n sign of flame on them.

(xii) The king blessed their God.

(xiii) And made a decree that any one who spoke evil against this God would be punished.

(xiv) He promoted the three men.

(b) Anti Christian practices:

(i) Polygamy.

(ii) Female circumcision/female genital mutilation.

(iii) Some traditional festivals.

(iv) Worship of Idols.

(v) Offering sacrifices and rituals/pouring libation.

(vi) Secret cults.

(vii)Corruption and fraud