The Fiery Furnace

“But even if He does not, let it be known to you, O king, that we will not serve your gods.” — Daniel 3:18

God’s people kept turning away from Him, just as the prophets had warned. So at last God let their enemies take them away. The great king of Babylon, Nebuchadnezzar, conquered Jerusalem and carried many of the people away to Babylon, far from home.

Among them were four young men: Daniel, and his three friends Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah. In Babylon they were given new names. Daniel’s three friends were called Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego.

King Nebuchadnezzar made a huge golden statue, about thirty metres tall, and set it up on a wide plain. Then he called all his important officials to come and see it.

A herald shouted out the king’s command. “People of every nation and language! As soon as you hear the sound of the horn, the flute, the harp and all kinds of music, you must bow down and worship the golden statue. Anyone who doesn’t bow down will be thrown straight into a blazing furnace!”

So when the music played, everybody bowed down. Everybody except Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego.

Some men went to the king to tell on them. “There are some Jews you put in charge here,” they said. “Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego. They don’t serve your gods, and they won’t worship the golden statue!”

Nebuchadnezzar was furious. He sent for the three friends. “Is it true that you won’t worship my golden statue?” he said. “I’ll give you one more chance. When you hear the music, bow down. If you don’t, you will be thrown into the blazing furnace. And then what god will be able to rescue you?”

Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego answered, “O king, we don’t need to defend ourselves. If we are thrown into the furnace, the God we serve is able to rescue us from it, and He will rescue us from your hand. But even if He does not, we want you to know, O king, that we will never serve your gods or worship your golden statue.”

The king was so angry that his face changed. He ordered the furnace to be heated seven times hotter than usual. His strongest soldiers tied up the three friends and threw them into the furnace. The fire was so hot that it killed the soldiers who threw them in.

Then King Nebuchadnezzar jumped up in amazement. “Didn’t we throw three men into the fire, tied up?” he asked.

“Yes, O king,” said his advisers.

“Look!” he said. “I see four men walking around in the fire, untied and unharmed! And the fourth one looks like a son of the gods!”

The king went to the door of the furnace. “Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, servants of the Most High God, come out!”

So they came out of the fire. Everyone crowded round them. The fire hadn’t harmed them at all. Not one hair on their heads was singed, their clothes weren’t scorched, and they didn’t even smell of smoke!

“Praise be to the God of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego!” said the king. “He sent His angel and rescued His servants who trusted in Him. They were willing to give up their lives rather than worship any god except their own God.”

Read it in your Bible: Daniel 3

Dear God, help me to stay faithful to you, even when everyone around me is doing something wrong. Thank you that you are with your people, even in the fire. Amen.