Infinite Fellowship Ministries

Only Foolish Wisdom Reigns In The Marketplace: Sermon By Deacon Rob Omol

Nebuchadnezzar the king made an image of gold, whose height was sixty cubits and its width six cubits. He set it up in the plain of Dura, in the province of Babylon. And King Nebuchadnezzar sent word to gather together the satraps, the administrators, the governors, the counselors, the treasurers, the judges, the magistrates, and all the officials of the provinces, to come to the dedication of the image which King Nebuchadnezzar had set up. So the satraps, the administrators, the governors, the counselors, the treasurers, the judges, the magistrates, and all the officials of the provinces gathered together for the dedication of the image that King Nebuchadnezzar had set up; and they stood before the image that Nebuchadnezzar had set up. Then a herald cried aloud: “To you it is commanded, O peoples, nations, and languages, that at the time you hear the sound of the horn, flute, harp, lyre, and psaltery, in symphony with all kinds of music, you shall fall down and worship the gold image that King Nebuchadnezzar has set up; and whoever does not fall down and worship shall be cast immediately into the midst of a burning fiery furnace.” So at that time, when all the people heard the sound of the horn, flute, harp, and lyre, in symphony with all kinds of music, all the people, nations, and languages fell down and worshiped the gold image which King Nebuchadnezzar had set up.

Therefore at that time certain Chaldeans came forward and accused the Jews. They spoke and said to King Nebuchadnezzar, “O king, live forever! You, O king, have made a decree that everyone who hears the sound of the horn, flute, harp, lyre, and psaltery, in symphony with all kinds of music, shall fall down and worship the gold image; and whoever does not fall down and worship shall be cast into the midst of a burning fiery furnace. There are certain Jews whom you have set over the affairs of the province of Babylon: Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego; these men, O king, have not paid due regard to you. They do not serve your gods or worship the gold image which you have set up.” Then Nebuchadnezzar, in rage and fury, gave the command to bring Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego. So they brought these men before the king. Nebuchadnezzar spoke, saying to them, “Is it true, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego, that you do not serve my gods or worship the gold image which I have set up? Now if you are ready at the time you hear the sound of the horn, flute, harp, lyre, and psaltery, in symphony with all kinds of music, and you fall down and worship the image which I have made, good! But if you do not worship, you shall be cast immediately into the midst of a burning fiery furnace. And who is the god who will deliver you from my hands?” Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego answered and said to the king, “O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer you in this matter. If that is the case, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and He will deliver us from your hand, O king. But if not, let it be known to you, O king, that we do not serve your gods, nor will we worship the gold image which you have set up.”

Then Nebuchadnezzar was full of fury, and the expression on his face changed toward Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego. He spoke and commanded that they heat the furnace seven times more than it was usually heated. And he commanded certain mighty men of valor who were in his army to bind Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego, and cast them into the burning fiery furnace. Then these men were bound in their coats, their trousers, their turbans, and their other garments, and were cast into the midst of the burning fiery furnace. Therefore, because the king’s command was urgent, and the furnace exceedingly hot, the flame of the fire killed those men who took up Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego. And these three men, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego, fell down bound into the midst of the burning fiery furnace. Then King Nebuchadnezzar was astonished; and he rose in haste and spoke, saying to his counselors, “Did we not cast three men bound into the midst of the fire?” They answered and said to the king, “True, O king.” “Look!” he answered, “I see four men loose, walking in the midst of the fire; and they are not hurt, and the form of the fourth is like the Son of God.”

Then Nebuchadnezzar went near the mouth of the burning fiery furnace and spoke, saying, “Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego, servants of the Most High God, come out, and come here.” Then Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego came from the midst of the fire. And the satraps, administrators, governors, and the king’s counselors gathered together, and they saw these men on whose bodies the fire had no power; the hair of their head was not singed nor were their garments affected, and the smell of fire was not on them. Nebuchadnezzar spoke, saying, “Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego, who sent His Angel and delivered His servants who trusted in Him, and they have frustrated the king’s word, and yielded their bodies, that they should not serve nor worship any god except their own God! Therefore I make a decree that any people, nation, or language which speaks anything amiss against the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego shall be cut in pieces, and their houses shall be made an ash heap; because there is no other God who can deliver like this.” Then the king promoted Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego in the province of Babylon.

Daniel 3 (NKJV)

Most workplaces are the plain of Dura. There are times we try to be wise and end up neglecting to speak about what’s right in front of us. Every gate in society has a diabolical force.

Specific people are sent to a specific gate to serve a certain mandate. As saints sent the 7 gates of society, we need to tackle with and propagate a kingdom culture.

In Genesis, Nimrod built the Tower of Babel near where the plain of Dura was located. We need to understand the spiritual environments that govern our geographic surroundings.

 As people moved eastward, they found a plain in Shinar and settled there. 

Genesis 11:2 (ESV)

Nimrod was aware that God would bring judgment in the land. He and the people wanted to attain to a glory that wasn’t theirs. 

Babel in the Old Testament was later known as Babylon that represented fame. In Revelation, Babylon is a place where politics and the new world order would be in the last days.

World systems are geared to make man dependent on his own strength, but the Kingdom of God is architecture to allow men to flow in God.

We are called to relationship and not religion. 

For in Him we live and move and have our being; as even some of your [own] poets have said, For we are also His offspring. 

Acts 17:28 (AMPC)

The image of gold and the tower of Babel were supposed to be symbols of unity of nations and languages. Even non-believers can draw power from unity referred to in Daniel 3.

Glory was supposed to come to Nebuchadnezzar and Nimrod as the proponents of these symbols. They wanted their legacies to live forever. 

In the marketplace, there is a person(s) behind your organization. It doesn’t just exist.

People will never submit to the fear of God if they are constantly dependent on man’s power e.g. if your salary doesn’t come through, you look at your boss as your source of provision and not God. 

Who are you serving in the marketplace? Nebuchadnezzar built the image of gold where he would get the glory. We have been cultured to look up to the prince of the world for provision instead of Jehovah. We should not be dependent on man’s power. Wealth is in the spirit, earth is the place of manifestation. When you focus on manifestation, you destroy that which you are building in the spirit.

And Azmaveth the son of Adiel was over the king’s treasuries; and Jehonathan the son of Uzziah was over the storehouses in the field, in the cities, in the villages, and in the fortresses. Ezri the son of Chelub was over those who did the work of the field for tilling the ground. And Shimei the Ramathite was over the vineyards, and Zabdi the Shiphmite was over the produce of the vineyards for the supply of wine. Baal-Hanan the Gederite was over the olive trees and the sycamore trees that were in the lowlands, and Joash was over the store of oil. And Shitrai the Sharonite was over the herds that fed in Sharon, and Shaphat the son of Adlai was over the herds that were in the valleys. Obil the Ishmaelite was over the camels, Jehdeiah the Meronothite was over the donkeys, and Jaziz the Hagrite was over the flocks. All these were the officials over King David’s property.

1 Chronicles 27:25-31 (NKJV)

Kings intended stewards to do a specific work. A king cannot build an empire on his own. He has to appoint stewards for that which he is building. God has bestowed on each of us gifts and talents to serve for the glory of God.

So then, let us [apostles] be looked upon as ministering servants of Christ and stewards (trustees) of the mysteries (the secret purposes) of God. Moreover, it is [essentially] required of stewards that a man should be found faithful [proving himself worthy of trust]. 

1 Corinthians 4:1-2 (AMPC)

God’s mysteries are confusing to the carnal mind. He encodes that which He wants to reveal to us so that we can seek Him for interpretation. As we decode and decree that which God is saying, it becomes a reality.

As each of you has received a gift (a particular spiritual talent, a gracious divine endowment), employ it for one another as [befits] good trustees of God’s many-sided grace [faithful stewards of the extremely diverse powers and gifts granted to Christians by unmerited favor]. 

1 Peter 4:10 (AMPC)

God’s throne is a mystery. It is present in the Heavens and can only be accessed through the Son. Our jobs are beyond routine. Our jobs are to create an influence for the Gospel of Christ.

The Empire of Babylon was an influence to entire the world of that time.

And the herald proclaimed aloud, “You are commanded, O peoples, nations, and languages.

 Daniel 3:4 (ESV)

Different instruments represented different kinds of places. The movement in music has had an influence as it is a universal language. The world is using music for each and every person to understand.

That when you hear the sound of the horn, pipe, lyre, trigon, harp, bagpipe, and every kind of music, you are to fall down and worship the golden image that King Nebuchadnezzar has set up. 

Daniel 3:5 (ESV)

Music pushes certain agendas. Music is being used in this era of the new world order.

The Babylonian spirit is characterized by wealth seeking and idolatry.

All nations whom You have made shall come and fall down before You, O Lord; and they shall glorify Your name. All nations whom You have made shall come and fall down before You, O Lord; and they shall glorify Your name. 

Psalm 86:9 (AMPC)

In music, each and every musician has a song for their place of jurisdiction that is meant to speak of relevance.

There is a place in the throne room where we each respond to the revelation of God.

The world is taking that which God had created to unite the people of the earth and twisting it for their idolatry. What is our purpose as the Church? Locally and as part of the Body? There is a message we have that will influence the people God has entrusted us with. We cannot afford to copy that which others are doing. Their context and revelation is very different from ours. 

We each have a song to sing unto God. The Word of God calls each one of us to sing a new song. 

And [now] they sing a new song, saying, You are worthy to take the scroll and to break the seals that are on it, for You were slain (sacrificed), and with Your blood You purchased men unto God from every tribe and language and people and nation. 

Revelation 5:9 (AMPC)

There is a song in you waiting to be unlocked. 

And I heard a voice from heaven like the sound of great waters and like the rumbling of mighty thunder; the voice I heard [seemed like the music] of harpists accompanying themselves on their harps.And they sang a new song before the throne [of God] and before the four living creatures and before the elders [of the heavenly Sanhedrin]. No one could learn [to sing] that song except the 144,000 who had been ransomed (purchased, redeemed) from the earth. 

Revelation 14:2-3 (AMPC)

And she brought forth a male Child, One Who is destined to shepherd (rule) all the nations with an iron staff (scepter), and her Child was caught up to God and to His throne. 

Revelation 12:5 (AMPC)

Music that is within us is to serve the purpose of uniting us to a magnificent level with the Father.

The Chaldeans are influential people in the marketplace serving in the earthly realm.

4 youths without blemish, of good appearance and skillful in all wisdom, endowed with knowledge, understanding learning, and competent to stand in the king’s palace, and to teach them the literature and language of the Chaldeans. 

Daniel 1:4 (ESV)

Serving God is beyond proverbial preaching. It is standing for who God is and living His truth. Anything that your hands find to do, you do it as unto God. 

Then the king gave the command to call the magicians, the astrologers, the sorcerers, and the Chaldeans to tell the king his dreams. So they came and stood before the king. And the king said to them, “I have had a dream, and my spirit is anxious to know the dream.” Then the Chaldeans spoke to the king in Aramaic, “O king, live forever! Tell your servants the dream, and we will give the interpretation.” The king answered and said to the Chaldeans, “My decision is firm: if you do not make known the dream to me, and its interpretation, you shall be cut in pieces, and your houses shall be made an ash heap. However, if you tell the dream and its interpretation, you shall receive from me gifts, rewards, and great honor. Therefore tell me the dream and its interpretation.”

They answered again and said, “Let the king tell his servants the dream, and we will give its interpretation.” The king answered and said, “I know for certain that you would gain time, because you see that my decision is firm: if you do not make known the dream to me, there is only one decree for you! For you have agreed to speak lying and corrupt words before me till the time has changed. Therefore tell me the dream, and I shall know that you can give me its interpretation.” The Chaldeans answered the king, and said, “There is not a man on earth who can tell the king’s matter; therefore no king, lord, or ruler has ever asked such things of any magician, astrologer, or Chaldean.

Daniel 2:2-10 (NKJV)

The Chaldeans are envious of people who are serving the purpose of God. They are sharp and very informed. They are in right positions by merit. 

Chaldeans serve the purpose of attacking believers’ identity. 

Therefore at that time certain men of Chaldean descent came near and brought [malicious] accusations against the Jews. 

Daniel 3:8 (AMPC)

The spirit behind the Chaldeans can cause false/unwarranted accusations to be thrown at believers in the marketplace.

It pleased Darius to set over the kingdom one hundred and twenty satraps, to be over the whole kingdom; and over these, three governors, of whom Daniel was one, that the satraps might give account to them, so that the king would suffer no loss. Then this Daniel distinguished himself above the governors and satraps, because an excellent spirit was in him; and the king gave thought to setting him over the whole realm. So the governors and satraps sought to find some charge against Daniel concerning the kingdom; but they could find no charge or fault, because he was faithful; nor was there any error or fault found in him. Then these men said, “We shall not find any charge against this Daniel unless we find it against him concerning the law of his God.” So these governors and satraps thronged before the king, and said thus to him: “King Darius, live forever! All the governors of the kingdom, the administrators and satraps, the counselors and advisors, have consulted together to establish a royal statute and to make a firm decree, that whoever petitions any god or man for thirty days, except you, O king, shall be cast into the den of lions. Now, O king, establish the decree and sign the writing, so that it cannot be changed, according to the law of the Medes and Persians, which does not alter.” Therefore King Darius signed the written decree.

Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went home. And in his upper room, with his windows open toward Jerusalem, he knelt down on his knees three times that day, and prayed and gave thanks before his God, as was his custom since early days. Then these men assembled and found Daniel praying and making supplication before his God. And they went before the king, and spoke concerning the king’s decree: “Have you not signed a decree that every man who petitions any god or man within thirty days, except you, O king, shall be cast into the den of lions?” The king answered and said, “The thing is true, according to the law of the Medes and Persians, which does not alter.” So they answered and said before the king, “That Daniel, who is one of the captives from Judah, does not show due regard for you, O king, or for the decree that you have signed, but makes his petition three times a day.” And the king, when he heard these words, was greatly displeased with himself, and set his heart on Daniel to deliver him; and he labored till the going down of the sun to deliver him. Then these men approached the king, and said to the king, “Know, O king, that it is the law of the Medes and Persians that no decree or statute which the king establishes may be changed.” So the king gave the command, and they brought Daniel and cast him into the den of lions. But the king spoke, saying to Daniel, “Your God, whom you serve continually, He will deliver you.” Then a stone was brought and laid on the mouth of the den, and the king sealed it with his own signet ring and with the signets of his lords, that the purpose concerning Daniel might not be changed.

Now the king went to his palace and spent the night fasting; and no musicians were brought before him. Also his sleep went from him. Then the king arose very early in the morning and went in haste to the den of lions. And when he came to the den, he cried out with a lamenting voice to Daniel. The king spoke, saying to Daniel, “Daniel, servant of the living God, has your God, whom you serve continually, been able to deliver you from the lions?” Then Daniel said to the king, “O king, live forever! My God sent His angel and shut the lions’ mouths, so that they have not hurt me, because I was found innocent before Him; and also, O king, I have done no wrong before you.” Now the king was exceedingly glad for him, and commanded that they should take Daniel up out of the den. So Daniel was taken up out of the den, and no injury whatever was found on him, because he believed in his God.

And the king gave the command, and they brought those men who had accused Daniel, and they cast them into the den of lions—them, their children, and their wives; and the lions overpowered them, and broke all their bones in pieces before they ever came to the bottom of the den. Then King Darius wrote: To all peoples, nations, and languages that dwell in all the earth: Peace be multiplied to you. I make a decree that in every dominion of my kingdom men must tremble and fear before the God of Daniel. For He is the living God, and steadfast forever;
His kingdom is the one which shall not be destroyed, and His dominion shall endure to the end.
He delivers and rescues, and He works signs and wonders in heaven and on earth, Who has delivered Daniel from the power of the lions. So this Daniel prospered in the reign of Darius and in the reign of Cyrus the Persian.

Daniel 6 (NKJV)

However, powerful the Chaldeans are, we must remember that there is a throne that is higher and above all thrones. As believers, we have access to this throne. 

When one works with excellence, one is serving the purpose of God. When you are lazy at work, it shows a disconnect in one’s relationship with God. When you succeed in the marketplace, the “Chaldeans” malice is activated.

In the marketplace, there are people who are usually against the purpose of God being made manifest through sons. The Chaldeans may have influence around other thrones but not the throne of God. The throne of God is not a chair. The throne of God is a presence that encompasses the earthly and spiritual realm.

A decree is an official order issued by legal authority. Earthly decrees can change according to preferences of whoever is in power. But the decrees of God stand the test of time. 

The Lord has established His throne in the heavens, and His kingdom rules over all. 

Psalm 103:19 (AMPC)

When we pray, we are entering into the throne of God.

God’s decrees are before all time and overrides the laws of nature.

The throne of God denotes His power.

The Lord is in His holy temple; the Lord’s throne is in heaven. His eyes behold; His eyelids test and prove the children of men. 

Psalm 11:4 (AMPC)

Shadrack, Meshach and Abednego were wise, good looking and had excellent spirit.

As for these four young men, God gave them knowledge and skill in all literature and wisdom; and Daniel had understanding in all visions and dreams. Now at the end of the days, when the king had said that they should be brought in, the chief of the eunuchs brought them in before Nebuchadnezzar. Then the king interviewed them, and among them all none was found like Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah; therefore they served before the king. And in all matters of wisdom and understanding about which the king examined them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and astrologers who were in all his realm. Thus Daniel continued until the first year of King Cyrus.

Daniel 1:17-21 (NKJV)

There are certain Jews whom you have appointed over the affairs of the province of Babylon: Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. These men, O king, pay no attention to you; they do not serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up. 

Daniel 3:12 (ESV)

In Daniel 6, Daniel was accused along the same lines that Shadrack, Meshach and Abednego were in Daniel 3. There is lack of creativity in humanistic endeavours. Whatever we go through in the marketplace is not new. This is why fellowship with brethren is important. You find those who have gone through it or are going through it and they serve as partners to walk with during that season. 

But there is [a vital force] a spirit [of intelligence] in man, and the breath of the Almighty gives men understanding. 

Job 32:8 (AMPC)

Now if you are ready when you hear the sound of the horn, pipe, lyre, trigon, harp, bagpipe, and every kind of music, to fall down and worship the image that I have made, well and good. But if you do not worship, you shall immediately be cast into a burning fiery furnace. And who is the god who will deliver you out of my hands? 

Daniel 3:15 (ESV)

Pharaoh used the same words and his army was later destroyed.

And Pharaoh said, “Who is the Lord, that I should obey His voice to let Israel go? I do not know the Lord, nor will I let Israel go.”

Exodus 5:2 (NKJV)

Who of all the gods of the countries has delivered his country out of my hand, that the Lord should deliver Jerusalem out of my hand? 

2 Kings 18:35 (AMPC)

God’s wisdom is foolishness to carnal men and even the devil. You need to have bold, foolish wisdom to reign in the marketplace. To God, power is more important than wealth. With power, you can influence certain things for the purpose of God.

But if not, let it be known to you, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the golden image which you have set up! 

Daniel 3:18 AMPC

We need to see ourselves as sons who have influence in the place where we have been planted in time.

In our various jurisdictions, we need to be wary of bowing down to set systems and be ready to go against the grain and standing for truth. We need to be bold and unashamed of the truth we profess.

We are called to push the boundaries. We need to pray for the big things regarding our workplace and marketplace.

There are people who can try to help you but inadvertently hinder purpose. Jesus rebuked Peter for trying to save Him because his actions were contrary to the will of God. 

It is the glory of God to conceal a thing, but the glory of kings is to search out a thing. 

Proverbs 25:2 (AMPC)

Our actions and decisions may be misunderstood by the world. We need to activate God’s divine power. We are being called to a higher level of radical faith that causes shifts in the marketplace. We not only have to work excellently but we are being called to cause shifts in the marketplace where we have been planted.