The Fiery Furnace

King Nebuchadnezzar made a huge golden image and set it up on the plain of Dura in the province of Babylon. He called officials from across the provinces to its dedication. A herald announced that when the music played, every people, nation, and language must bow to the image. Anyone who refused would be thrown into a blazing furnace.

When the instruments sounded, the gathered peoples bowed down. But some Chaldeans accused three Jews whom the king had appointed over the province of Babylon: Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. They told the king these men would not serve his gods or worship the golden image he had set up.

In fierce anger, Nebuchadnezzar brought the three men before him and gave them another chance. He warned that if they would not bow, they would be thrown into the furnace. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego answered that their God was able to rescue them, but even if he did not, they would not worship the king’s gods or image.

The king ordered the furnace heated far hotter than usual. The three men were tied up and thrown in. The fire was so fierce that it killed the mighty men who carried them. Then the king stared in astonishment. He had thrown in three men, but now he saw four, walking free in the fire and unharmed.

Nebuchadnezzar called them out, and Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego came from the furnace. The gathered officials saw that the fire had not harmed their bodies, their hair, or even their clothes. The king blessed their God, saying he had sent his angel to rescue servants who trusted him. Then he warned the peoples not to speak against their God and promoted the three men in the province of Babylon.