NEBUCHADNEZZAR

(A Play by Dr. Ronnie Gyi) For today’s audience

Introduction:

Nebuchadnezzar

was the ruler of the first world empire. His conquest or rather being allowed to conquer Judah and Jerusalem brought him in direct contact with Yahweh, the God of the Jews. His wisdom in selecting politically promising young prisoners from the conquered territories made him worthy of a great emperor. However, his pride put him in conflict with a God who hates a proud look and who dwells in a humble heart. After he was abased by God, his exaltation of the true God signaled his repentance. But did the change last long? In Nebuchadnezzar’s court and in private conversations through His faithful witnesses, we discover the God of heaven moving on the heart of the world ruler to achieve His eternal purpose. 

God selected Daniel and his companions to be His ambassadors in Nebuchadnezzar’s court.

Song: (Dimmed lights, male choir in full harmony) “Once to Every Man and Nation, Comes the Moment to Decide”

1. Once to every man and nation Comes the moment to decide,

In the strife of truth with falsehood, For the good or evil side;

Some great cause, God’s new Messiah, Offering each the bloom or blight,

And the choice goes by forever ‘Twixt that darkness and that light.

2. Though the cause of evil prosper, Yet ‘tis truth alone is strong;

Though her portion be the scaffold, and upon the throne be wrong;

Yet that scaffold sways the future, and behind the dim unknown,

Standeth God within the shadow, Keeping watch above His own.

Narrator: In the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim, king of Judah, came Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon unto Jerusalem and besiege it. 

And the Lord gave Jehoiakim king of Judah into his hand, with part of the vessels of the house of God: which he carried into the land of Shinar to the house of his god; and he brought the vessels into the treasure house of his god. And the king spake unto Aspenaz, the master of his eunuchs, that he should bring certain of the children of Israel, and of the king’s seed, and of the princes; children in whom was no blemish, but well favoured, and skilful in all wisdom, and cunning in knowledge, and understanding science, and such as had ability in them to stand in the king’s palace, and whom they might teach the learning of the Chaldeans. Daniel 1:1-4.

Scene: 1                       DEATH OF NABOPOLASSAR, BABYLON 605 BC

Narrator: King Nabopolassar, the founder of the Neo-Babylonian Empire, who is the father of Nebuchadnezzar, lay on his deathbed; with the priests chanting the last rites.

Nabopolassar: My god, Marduk, has blessed me and helped me to build this great Neo Babylonian Empire. But my sudden illness is a call from him. I will meet you in the afterworld.

Queen: No my king, you shall not die. I have prayed to Marduk to heal you. I shall order the priests to sacrifice 100 more bulls today.

Nabopolassar: It’s no use. The priests are happy with the sacrifices because they and their families are enjoying non veg food every day. They’ve put on so much weight they all will die of heart attacks. They will follow me soon.

Queen:  Then, what shall I do?

Nabo: I have sent my son, Nebuchadnezzar, to quench a rebellion in Egypt, Phoenicia and Coele – Syria. He is now in Judah and is besieging Jerusalem. He must come back to Babylon immediately. There are many waiting to usurp the throne. Your lives are in danger unless Nebu sits on the throne. Do you understand?

Queen: Yes my king, I shall send for my son Nebuchadnezzar.

Nabo: Now I shall die in peace. Marduk, Marduk, Marduk.

Queen: The king is dead, long live the king! Keronezzia, my daughter in law, you are now the queen. (Taking the ring from Nabo’s finger) Take Nabo’s ring and sent an urgent message to Nebuchadnezzar to come immediately.

Keronezzia:  (Placing the ring and message and sealing the bag). Send the couriers to give this to Nebuchadnezzar in Jerusalem. Let them ride through the Arabian Desert!

Scene 2                                                 JERUSALEM 605 BC

Narrator: What would your thoughts be if you were to die within a few hours? Will you think of heaven or hell? Will your thoughts turn to the sweet memories of yesterday; to your carefree childhood; to your family, your mother, father, brothers, and sisters; to your friends, classmates, playmates; to your young love, to your wife and children; or to the reality of the impending suffering and death? Will you be praying for a quick end to your life? No doubt, the end will be painful; for the sword, the spear, or the arrow will take you away from the land of the living. You would welcome death if you were a person full of years; when you have seen and experienced the toil of man under the sun which amounts to nothing but vanity. You would welcome death if you have experienced all the joys and sorrows of life, and have seen your children unto the third and fourth generations. You would welcome death if Alzheimer’s disease, dementia and amnesia conquer your mind and make you look like a lifeless statue. You would welcome death if your spring of vitality has dried up and you find no more pleasure in the embraces of a woman. But if you were a youth full of zest for life, when you are just beginning to enter manhood, life would seem to be so unfair if you were to face certain death. What were the thoughts that went into the minds of four young men and thousands who were defending their city against the enemy?

Meshach: “Just before the battle, mother, I am thinking most of you.

While upon the walls we’re waiting, with the enemy in view.

Farewell Mother, you may never, press me to your heart again.

But O, you’ll not forget me mother, if I’m numbered with the slain”.George F. Root.

Shadrach: My sweet Abigail, with a thousand thoughts of your warm embraces in my heart, I lay down my life for my king, my city and my country.

 Abednego:  My dear Rachael, Your beautiful smiling face will always be in my mind as I face the enemy for the last time. Your name shall be on my lips and your love in my heart when I die.

Daniel: (On his knees) O God of our fathers; the hour has come when your word through the prophet Jeremiah is fulfilled. We have sinned against you and you have sent the Babylonians to punish us. We pray for your mercy and goodness. Look down upon us with your loving kindness and remember us because of your servant David. We return to you with a humble and contrite heart. Forgive us O Lord. Preserve us for Your name’s sake.

Scene 3                                    MESHACH, MOTHER & SISTER  & BABYLONION SOLDIERS

Narrator: In the siege of Jerusalem, the Jews defended with valour, but the Babylonians prevailed and breached the walls. There was much bloodshed and the Jews retreated into the city.

Meshach:  Open the door. Open the door. It’s me, Meshach. Open the door.

Mother: Meshach, my son, are you still alive?

Meshach: If you don’t open soon, I’ll be dead.

Mother: (Opening the door & hugging) O Meshach, my son, God has answered my prayer. I wanted to see your face before we die.

Meshach: Where’s my little sister?

Mother: She’s hiding under the cot in our bedroom. Dinah, come here. Meshach is here.

Dinah: Meshach, how many Babylonians did you kill today? I am praying that God will save your life. God will answer my prayer. You will not die.

Meshach: Dinah, you’re only 14 years old and you look like a beautiful young lady now. I wish the war was not here so that we could spend time together talking about adult things.

Dinah: If the war was not here, I would have been the bridesmaid for your marriage with Michal.

Meshach: And I would have gone for my honeymoon in Galilee.

Mother: O my two children, how sweet you both look.

Meshach: Listen, the Babylonians are pouring into Jerusalem. We could not hold our position any longer so we all retreated. They might be here any moment.

Mother (Hugging her children & crying) Last week, your father died in the fighting. Now I have only you two left. O God, save us. Send your angels to drive away the Babylonians. O God, how long will you not listen to our prayers? What shall we do now Meshach?

Babylonian commander: (Banging on the door) The Hebrews think they can hide inside the house. Break down the door.

Meshach: Go into the bedroom and close the door and pray. I will fight to the last.

Babylonian commander: (Door broken) Ha, ha, only one Hebrew? Well, I thought I’ll see a whole lot of them. I’m a little tired. Soldiers, finish the job soon.

Meshach: You won’t find that easy. I fight and die for my God and my country!

(Action): Meshach standing at the door and taking on the Babylonians one by one.

Babylonian commander: Ah, this bloody little Hebrew knows how to fight. He’s already killed three of my soldiers. Soldiers! Pull the dead away from the door. Can’t you fight against only one man?

(Action): Fighting continues and more Babylonians were killed. At last Meshach was overpowered.

Babylonian commander: Where did you learn how to fight? Soldiers search the house. Break down all the doors.

Soldiers: (After some time) We found just two, a woman and her daughter. Ha, ha let’s have some fun after the hard fighting.

(Action ) Tore the clothes & raped the females in the bedroom, cries from the ladies)

Soldier: There shall be no witness of this; just killed the ladies.

Soldier: (Coming into the room) And now you Hebrew soldier, you have fought well and cut my face; my sword will pierce your heart, prepare to die. (About to thrust the sword into Meshach’s heart)

Babylonian commander: Stop! Don’t kill him. Take him a prisoner to Babylon. He fights well.

Scene 4:                         NEBUCHADNEZZAR ENTERS THE TEMPLE

& NEWS OF FATHER’S DEATH

Nebuchadnezzar: Take the temple, take the temple!

Generals: O Nebuchadnezzar, the temple is the most holy place.

Nebuchadnezzar: Only the temple of my god Marduk is holy. There is plenty of gold and treasures in the temple store. Seize the temple.

Generals: Soldiers, Attack the temple. Kill all the Jews guarding the temple.

Soldiers: Death to the Jews, death to the Jews.

Generals: The gate of the temple is cleared. Our soldiers are guarding the gate.

Nebuchadnezzar: All my life, I’ve wanted to enter Solomon’s Temple and to meet the God of the Hebrews. Now the time has come.

Generals: It is said that nobody comes out alive if he enters the most holy place. We beg you not to enter.

Nebuchadnezzar: Take the treasures; I will enter the most holy place alone, you superstitious generals. O God of the Hebrews, here I come.

(After some time)

Generals: O Nebuchadnezzar, a courier has arrived from Babylon. He has an urgent message.

Courier: The king is dead, long live the king!

Nebuchadnezzar: Is my father dead? No, no, he was still young and healthy.

Generals: We warned you not to enter the most holy place.

Courier: O king Nebuchadnezzar, the queen sends you this.

Nebuchadnezzar: This is my father’s ring. My father is dead. Generals, take the city. Prepare my horse and a hundred men to ride to Babylon immediately. Bring back to Babylon all the treasures and trophies and don’t forget the royal prisoners. Do not delay, come back soon. I need the full army to support me.

Generals: We will, O king. The king is dead, long live the king.

Soldiers: Long live the king. Long live king Nebuchadnezzar! Long live the king.

 Scene 5                              BABYLONION ARMY RETURNS 605 BC

Announcer: (Background sounds of trumpets and drums) Long live the king! Long live king Nebuchadnezzar! Long live the king!  The mighty Nebuchadnezzar returns from his conquest of Judah and Jerusalem bringing back with him trophies & treasures from the temple of Jerusalem and prisoners of the royal blood. Hail! Hail! Bow down, bow down.

      NEBUCHADNEZZAR’S HAREM

Narrator: As the triumphant army returns with the treasures and prisoners, the young ladies of Nebuchadnezzar’s harem, looking through the private enclosure, were excited to see the young Hebrew prisoners.

The young ladies of Nebuchadnezzar’s harem (in attractive dresses and make-up)

No 1. Wow, look at the young handsome Hebrew prisoners. It would be a change to have them in Nebu’s court as they sit together with the bald old magicians.

No 2. So sad all of them would be made eunuchs, they would have no interest in us and would not even look at us.

No 3. Nebu’s eunuch’s are growing in number by the day and will soon overtake us. Do you think Nebu prefers the eunuchs over us?

No 4. O, I don’t know, nowadays men are so perverted they want to explore and conquer new territories, as though conquering Judah and Jerusalem is not enough. Ha. Ha. ha.” (Clap, clap; clap clap: laughing & clapping their hands, sign of eunuch etc.)

No 1. Don’t be foolish; this is not a joke. Eunuchs are the most useful people around the palace.

No. 3. Why?

No 1. They don’t have their wives to nag them and no children to care for. All they do is work, work for the king; doing their hocus pocus, foretelling events to come and predicting whether the king would win the battle etc, etc.

No 3. Are they really that clever?

No 1. Even in the middle of the night; if the king has a bad dream, the eunuchs are always free to attend to the king. (As you know we are always busy only in the night.) And besides they have no testosterone to tempt them when they see us!

No 3.  I don’t want to be a eunuch.

No 2. What do you think! The king has plenty of us.

No 4. Why?

No 2. Last year when he called me into his bedroom, after three minutes he was fast asleep.

No 1. It’s better to continue our affairs with the milkman, the vegetable-man or the guards; anybody as long as he is a man.

No 2.  And our child by the guard becomes the son of the king.

No 3. The king is leaving no stone unturned. He always brings pretty young girls to add to the harem.

No 4. The harem is now almost like a United Nation; with girls from Syria, Persia, Assyria, Haran Arabia, Egypt, Ethiopia and even from far away India.

No 3. This time we will be able to learn Hebrew from the new girls. We can even know what the Hebrew boys are saying when they talk in their language, whether they are just saying hocus pocus or are actually praying to their God for help and wisdom.

Scene 6                                    NEBUCHADNEZZAR & QUEEN

Nebu: Knock, Knock.

Queen: Who's there? Password please?

Nebu: The mighty Nebuchadnezzar, king of kings!

Queen: Entry denied.

Nebu: Nebuchadnezzar, the builder of Babylon.

Queen: Access denied. Ha, ha, ha.

Nebu. "Hanging Gardens"

Queen. You little rascal, Welcome!

Nebu: Why do I always have to say the password to come into my bed room? You can recognize my voice, can’t you?

Queen: This bed room is only for my king who knows this secret password.

Nebu: Ok, ok, just don’t let the guard know about this password.

Queen: “Nebu, you look majestic today before the head of the triumphant victory procession.

Nebu: I always look great.

Queen: It was quite different a few weeks ago when you came back through the Arabian Desert with a small band of soldiers to claim the throne after your father’s sudden death.

Nebu: I really had to come back fast.

Queen: There were many pretenders to the throne while you were away and I was worried about our safety.

Nebuchadnezzar:” Don’t worry; I, Nebuchadnezzar, will put everything in order by my wisdom and might. No one can stand against me.

Queen: No one?

Nebu: Even the mighty God of the Hebrews; the most powerful God of the whole world; a God who led the children of Israel out of bondage from Egypt splitting open the sea into dry land, feeding the people with bread from heaven; a God who destroyed the army of Sennacherib with one angel; that God fell before my power.

Queen: You are very strong.

Nebu: They say you can never conquer Jerusalem because of this God. They say that this God dwells in the temple at Jerusalem. That no one can enter the most holy place of this temple and live.

Queen: Really?

Nebu: But see what I have. This is the cup from that temple.

Queen: What cup is this?

Nebu: It is supposed to be the cup used by Joseph when he was the prime minister of Egypt. The story says that Benjamin, his brother, tried to steal this cup but was caught.

Queen: What is special about this cup?

Nebu: It is supposed to have special powers so that no poison put into it could kill the person drinking from it. Ha, ha now nobody can poison me. This is just one treasure from the temple.

Queen: What else did you see and do?

Nebu: I entered the most holy place of that temple. I thought I would find this mighty God inside an ark with a shining light; a shekinah they say, as His presence.

Queen: What did you find?

Nebu: Nothing. There was nothing in the most holy place. Not even an idol; only darkness.

Queen: How strange.

Nebu: The God of the Hebrews; the most powerful God was frightened of Nebuchadnezzar and ran away. Ha, ha.

Queen: Then?

Nebu: But Nebuchadnezzar still has better ideas than chasing away the Hebrew God. I will bring Him back and that God will bow before me.

Queen: What will you do?

Nebu: This is my plan, catch the chicks and the mother hen will follow. I have brought back young Hebrews of the royal blood and soon their God will follow them.

Queen: A good plan.

Nebu: I will show them that I am greater than their God so that the whole world will know that I am the greatest.

Queen: You are really great.

Nebu: But first I have to make these young Hebrews eunuchs so that they will not cast an eye on you or on my young concubines.

Scene 7                                       NEBUCHADNEZZAR’S HAREM

Narrator: After a few days, young Hebrew girls were added to the harem. As the new girls were crying the old members tried to comfort them. At first they had some language problems but soon found out that both their languages were about the same. This was no wonder because the founder of the Hebrews, Abraham, came from Ur of the Chaldees, a place very near Babylon.

Harem girls:

No 1. Now stop crying. Most of us are also captive from different places, but now we like the life here: no work, just eating drinking and sleeping. Soon you’ll get used to this life and will enjoy it.

Rachel: Well, we also never worked in our country. The king of Jerusalem is related to us.

No 2. Who are the Hebrew boys who were brought along with you?

Michal: O they are also from the royal blood. There are so many of them. We know just a few of them well. That tall and handsome boy’s name is Daniel. We all like to fall in love with him but he never looked at us. Most of the time he would be reading the holy books written by our prophets and spending his time in prayer.

No 3:  How about the others?

Abigail: Some of the others are Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego. We know them very well because we are supposed to marry them. The marriages had been arranged but because of the war we had some problems. All of them are very clever and are also good in the marshal arts and fighting with weapons. A hundred men would be no match for each one of them.

No 1. O, it’s so sad. But don’t worry; you’ll have a new life now. We hope we will come to know more about them.

Michal: Of course you all will know more of them, especially Daniel. It seems like God is dwelling in him. We always go to him when we have a problem. He gives us good advice and somehow his presence brings peace to our hearts.

No 2.  Why do you always carry that handkerchief? Why is it bloodstained?

Abigail: O it happened during the siege of Jerusalem. We can get hurt you know. I’m the only one alive from my family. (Cry)

No 2. O, we’re so sorry. Don’t worry, you’ll soon forget about the past. We’ll take good care of you.

Scene 8                                           HEBREW BOYS’ ROOM

Shadrach: “Ah, ah, it’s so painful; I wish someone had invented anaesthesia. Now I don’t know whether I am a boy or a girl. I had always dream of having a son just like me, strong and handsome. Now I won’t be able to have any child of my own. ”

Meshach: “I can’t live through each day without crying. My father was killed early in the war and we buried him in Jerusalem. When the Babylonians broke into Jerusalem I was in our room with my mother and my young sister. I stood at the doorway and must have killed dozens of Babylonian soldiers before they overpowered me. (Flashback of the fighting) My sister was just a girl 14 years old. She always dreamt that one day she would become a mother and hold her baby in her arms. They took them into the bedroom and raped them and killed them. There were loud screams for some time and then complete silence; not even a sob. (Flashback) When I opened my eyes I saw my mother and sister dead in a pool of blood in the bedroom. (Flashback) The soldier who was fighting with me was so angry he killed both of them. He then came to me and was about to thrust his blood stained sword through my heart when the Babylonian officer told him to spare my life. He liked the way I courageously fought and thought I would be useful in Babylon. I will one day repay them for killing my family members. The soldier who raped and killed my mother and sister can never escape because my sword made a scar on his face. One day he shall pay for his crime. What do you think; shall we plan to take revenge on them?

Daniel:  “Well, I would look at the events in this way. Our fathers had disobeyed the commandments of God. We were worse than the heathens.  God sent many warnings through His prophets especially through Jeremiah. But we did not return to the God of our fathers. God has punished us through the Babylonians. Let us return back to our God and be faithful to Him. This is our first physical trial; we’ll soon have to face much more difficult tests for our faith. Our fathers, mothers, brothers and sisters were killed in the siege of Jerusalem; but God has spared our lives. He has a plan for each of us, to witness for him. Let us be faithful even if it costs our lives.

(Kneeling down in prayer). 

“O God of our fathers, we and our fathers have sinned against you. We have spurned your love and disobeyed your warnings. All we like sheep have gone astray. We have made our own idols, real and virtual. The internet has taken more of our time than our thoughts on you. You seemed to be more boring day by day while the virtual realities are really real. The TV, computer and cell phones are our gods. Movies, computer games and miss calls (calling girls) have taken a toll of our prime time. Sex and violence on the small screen and in our lives have excited our passion. But in Your mercy you have preserved us and not punished us as we deserved. We thank you for your loving kindness and forgiveness. Now as we dwell in this strange land, we pray that you will give us courage and strength to stand up for you, even if it costs our lives. We lay our all at your feet confessing our sins. Take us and use us. May we be a mighty witness for you in Babylon.

(Next Episode to be continued)