The Three Young Men

"For we, O Lord, have become fewer than any other nation,and are brought low this day in all the world because of our sins."

 - Song of the Three Young Men

Israel, for a brief period of a couple of generations, shone like no other kingdom in earth's history. What was it like to have been an Israeli citizen, during the reign of David, or of Solomon?

The impact was so great, as to have become the stuff of legend. Hundreds of generations later, the world still recalls the golden age of Israel.

But it goes out as a warning to all great nations that followed, especially those that presumed to be God's people: You can lose it all.

In the time of Daniel, and the "Three Young Men," Israel had dwindled down to near extinction. A handful of the faithful are scattered throughout the ancient world, being carried forward by their faith alone, under the protection of the occasional worldly leader in whom they found favor.

The lesson is worth reflecting upon, by every generation.

We too may be called upon to stand firm, against impossible odds.