The Fiery Furnace
The people who lived in Jerusalem had been taken captive by King Nebuchadnezzar, King of Babylon.
The King had taken the strongest, most intelligent and the best looking captives to live in his palace.
The King offered these young men the best food, he educated them and trained them for lots of important jobs.
Four of the finest of the captives were Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego.
These four refused the King’s food, preferring simple but healthy food and water.
This helped them to grow stronger and smarter than any other captives.
They also prayed three times a day.
The one thing they refused to do was to worship King Nebuchadnezzar’s many statues and idols.
One day the King’s power went to his head and he decided to make himself a God. He ordered the people to build a great statue of himself.
Whenever the people heard the sound of music, they had to bow down to the statue.
Everyone, except Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego.
The people who were jealous of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego told the King.
This made the King furious! He called Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego to him. ‘Is this true?”
Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego replied, “We cannot obey your command.”
King Nebuchadnezzar was furious and ordered the furnace to be heated up seven times hotter than usual and to throw the young men into the flames.
King Nebuchadnezzar looked into the furnace and exclaimed in amazement, “Didn’t we put three men into the fire?”
Well, there are four men in there now!
King Nebuchadnezzar called them out.
Everyone was astonished, because not only had the three men survived, there was no smell of smoke on them and they were not singed at all.
King Nebuchadnezzar spoke, “Blessed is the God of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego! If anyone ever says a bad word against this God, I will have him cut into a thousand pieces!
Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego were given great responsibilities in Babylon.