I’d driven past the Big Merino in Goulburn, the Big Banana at Coffs Harbour, the Big Mango north of Townsville, and the Big Tennis Racket in the main street of Barellan. But I was actually going to go inside the Big Pineapple near Nambour. I was so excited, pre-visit, thinking that there would be some sort of a fruit-juice waterfall and golden slippery slide; only to find an empty shell of fiberglass, windy stairs, and a lookout to an uninspiring pineapple field.

Nebuchadnezzar started it. With his big statue on the plains of Dura in Babylon. Inspired by a dream of his own grandeur, he built a structure some twenty-seven metres high, made of gold, and called all the world to worship before it whenever they heard the sound of a Mr Whippy song. It was true, the dream contained some element of his grandeur, but was primarily about the limits of his power and the source of true sovereignty.

But three men in Nebuchadnezzar’s realm knew that it was hollow, or rather, that it was full of pride. Actually full of provocation to the God of Heaven, and a snare to anyone unfortunate enough to bow their knee. But the heaven-loyal men stood their ground, and for their defiance received a fiery reward from the king, and a medal from their Maker, personally presented. Nebuchadnezzar, for his defiance, received a slap to his pride, a glimpse of a greater glory, and a golden opportunity to step inside the Big Grace.