DANIEL 3

GOD PROTECTS SHADRACH, MESHACH, AND ABEDNEGO IN THE FLAMES

Shortly after Nebuchadnezzar praises God for revealing his dream, Nebuchadnezzar builds a large gold statue, similar to the one in his dream. Instead of continuing to acknowledge God alone, Nebuchadnezzar decrees that the Babylonians must worship the statue whenever music is played. Whoever refuses to worship will be put to death by a fiery furnace.

Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego resist worshiping the idol and are taken before Nebuchadnezzar, who is furious over their withholding. In a bold act of faith, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego refuse to worship the idol and accept their fate within the fiery furnace. These three men trust that God would save them from the fire, but even if He didn’t, they have confidence in their decision and vow their faithfulness to God.

Angry with the refusal, Nebuchadnezzar orders that the furnace be made seven times hotter, causing a more imminent death. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego are bound by their garments and thrown into the fire. The furnace is so incredibly hot that the men who are ordered to deliver them into the fire die immediately by flame.

After Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego are placed in the furnace, Nebuchadnezzar is shocked to see four unbound men surviving within the flames. The appearance of the fourth man is believed to be an image of God's presence or a pre-incarnate Christ. When Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego exit the furnace, they are unscathed without even the smell of smoke on their clothing. God protects these men for their faithfulness and loyalty!

Nebuchadnezzar acknowledges God for saving them and makes a decree that no one can speak against the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego.