Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-Nego refused to bow down and worship Nebuchadnezzar’s 90-foot-tall image of gold. The three young Hebrews were brought before the Babylonian king to be met with this question, “But if you do not worship…who is the god who will deliver you from my hands?” (Dan. 3:15). This is similar to Pharaoh’s response to Moses and Aaron, “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” (Ex. 5:2). Now, were these kings ignorant or were they arrogant?
Sometimes it is difficult to tell the difference. There are some who are raised to “not know the Lord” (Judg. 2:10). That’s ignorance (but not excusable). Then there are those who “although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God…Professing to be wise, they became fools…” (Rom. 1:20-23). That’s not ignorance. That’s arrogance (even less excusable).
As long as I’m not arrogant, is ignorance a big deal? On the day of judgment, the ignorant and the arrogant will suffer equally the Lord’s vengeance (2 Thess. 1:8). Let’s eradicate both!