Shadrach, Meshach & Abednego
Fiery Furnace
Daniel 3about 2 minutes to read aloud
King Nebuchadnezzar made a statue of gold, ninety feet tall. He gathered every official of Babylon. "When you hear the music," a herald cried, "fall down and worship the image. Whoever does not will be thrown into a furnace of fire."
The music played. All the people bowed down. Three young men of Judah did not. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego stood still. They worshiped the Lord alone.
The king was told. He was angry, but he gave them one more chance. "If you do not bow, you will be thrown into the fire. And who is the god who can rescue you from my hand?"
They answered, "O king, we have no need to defend ourselves in this matter. Our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the furnace. But even if He does not, we will not serve your gods or bow to the image you have set up."
The king ordered the furnace heated seven times hotter. The flames killed the soldiers who carried them near. The three men, bound tight, fell into the fire. Then the king rose from his throne, astonished. "Did we not cast three men in? I see four men walking in the fire, and they are not hurt. And the fourth is like a son of the gods."
He called them out. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego came forth. Their hair was not singed. Their clothes did not smell of smoke. The king said, "Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. He sent His angel and delivered His servants."
Questions to talk about
What did Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego refuse to do?
Show the answer
They would not bow to the golden image the king had set up.
What did the king see in the furnace?
Show the answer
The king saw four men walking in the fire, the fourth like a son of the gods.
What did the three friends say before going into the fire?
Show the answer
They trusted God whether He rescued them or not.
The lesson
Our God is able to save. And even if He does not, He is still God, and He is still good.
