The Fiery Furnace is a story from the Book of Daniel, Chapter 3, in the Bible. It’s about three young men, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, who stood up for their beliefs and were miraculously saved by God.
King Nebuchadnezzar’s Golden Statue
Bible Verse: Daniel 3:1
“King Nebuchadnezzar made an image of gold, sixty cubits high and six cubits wide, and set it up on the plain of Dura in the province of Babylon.”
King Nebuchadnezzar, the ruler of Babylon, made a huge golden statue. He ordered that whenever music played, everyone must bow down and worship this statue.
The Three Friends Refuse to Bow
Bible Verse: Daniel 3:12
“But there are some Jews whom you have set over the affairs of the province of Babylon—Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego—who pay no attention to you, Your Majesty. They neither serve your gods nor worship the image of gold you have set up.”
Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, three young Jewish men serving in the king’s court, refused to bow down to the statue. They believed in only worshiping God, not idols made by people.
The King’s Furious Command
Bible Verse: Daniel 3:13-15
“Furious with rage, Nebuchadnezzar summoned Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego… ‘If you do not worship the image I made, you will be thrown immediately into a blazing furnace. Then what god will be able to rescue you from my hand?'”
The king was angry when he heard that they wouldn’t bow. He threatened to throw them into a fiery furnace if they didn’t obey his command.
In the Fiery Furnace
Bible Verse: Daniel 3:19-23
“Then Nebuchadnezzar was furious with Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, and his attitude toward them changed. He ordered the furnace heated seven times hotter than usual and commanded some of the strongest soldiers in his army to tie up Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego and throw them into the blazing furnace.”
Despite the threat, they refused to bow down. The king ordered that the furnace be made super hot and had them thrown in.
God’s Miraculous Protection
Bible Verse: Daniel 3:24-25
“Then King Nebuchadnezzar leaped to his feet in amazement and asked his advisers, ‘Weren’t there three men that we tied up and threw into the fire?’ They replied, ‘Certainly, Your Majesty.’ He said, ‘Look! I see four men walking around in the fire, unbound and unharmed, and the fourth looks like a son of the gods.'”
To the king’s amazement, not only were the three men unharmed in the furnace, but there was also a fourth figure with them, protecting them. They were walking around freely in the fire without any harm.
The King’s Proclamation
Bible Verse: Daniel 3:28-29
“‘Praise be to the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, who has sent his angel and rescued his servants! They trusted in him and defied the king’s command and were willing to give up their lives rather than serve or worship any god except their own God. Therefore I decree that the people of any nation or language who say anything against the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego be cut into pieces and their houses be turned into piles of rubble, for no other god can save in this way.'”
After witnessing this miracle, King Nebuchadnezzar praised God and made a new decree, honoring the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. He acknowledged their faith and God’s power.