Shadrach Meshach and Abednego Story - Bible

King Nebuchadnezzar made a golden statue. It was ninety feet high and nine feet wide. He set it up on the plain of Dura in the province of Babylon. Then the king sent for all his officials. He invited the satraps, prefects, governors, advisers, treasurers, judges, magistrates, and all the other provincial officials. They all came to stand before the statue.

A herald shouted loudly, 'People of every nation and language, this is what you are commanded to do. When you hear the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, pipe, and all kinds of music, you must fall down and worship the statue of gold that King Nebuchadnezzar has set up. Anyone who does not fall down and worship will immediately be thrown into a blazing furnace.'

As soon as the people heard the music, they fell down and worshiped the golden statue.

Some astrologers came forward. They said to the king, 'May the king live forever! Your Majesty has issued a decree. Everyone who hears the music must fall down and worship the golden statue. Anyone who does not will be thrown into a blazing furnace. But there are some Jews you have put in charge of the province of Babylon. Their names are Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. They have not paid any attention to you, King. They do not serve your gods. They do not worship the image of gold you have set up.'

Nebuchadnezzar was very angry. He summoned Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. He asked them, 'Is it true that you do not serve my gods or worship the golden statue I have set up? When you hear the music, if you are ready to fall down and worship the statue I made, very good. But if you do not worship it, you will be thrown immediately into a blazing furnace. Then what god will be able to save you from my hand?'

Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego replied, 'King Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves. If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve can save us from it. He will rescue us from your hand. But even if he does not, we want you to know, King, that we will not serve your gods. We will not worship the golden statue you have set up.'

Nebuchadnezzar was furious with them. His face twisted with rage. He ordered the furnace to be heated seven times hotter than usual. Then he commanded some of the strongest soldiers in his army to tie up Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. The soldiers threw them into the blazing furnace.

The king's command was carried out very quickly. The furnace was so hot that the flames killed the soldiers who threw Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego into it. The three men fell into the blazing furnace. They were still tied up.

Then King Nebuchadnezzar leaped to his feet in amazement. He asked his advisers, 'Didn't we tie up three men and throw them into the furnace?'

They replied, 'Yes, King.'

He said, 'Look! I see four men walking around in the fire. They are not tied up. They are not hurt. The fourth man looks like a son of the gods.'

Nebuchadnezzar went as close as he could to the door of the furnace. He shouted, 'Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, servants of the Most High God, come out! Come here!'

So Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego came out of the fire. The satraps, prefects, governors, and royal advisers crowded around them. They saw that the fire had not harmed their bodies. Not a hair on their heads was singed. Their robes were not scorched. They did not even smell like smoke.

Then Nebuchadnezzar said, 'Praise be to the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. He has sent his angel and rescued his servants. They trusted in him. They defied the king's command. They were willing to give up their lives rather than serve or worship any god except their own God. I now make a decree. People of any nation or language who say anything against the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego will be cut into pieces. Their houses will be turned into piles of rubble. No other god can save in this way.'

Then the king promoted Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. He gave them high positions in the province of Babylon.

These three young men trusted God no matter what. They were willing to die rather than worship a false god. God honored their faith. He was with them in the fire. He saved them. God is with us too when we go through hard times. He will never leave us. He is able to save us. But even if He does not save us from our troubles, we should still trust Him. He is worthy of our faith no matter what happens.

The Shadrach Meshach and Abednego story teaches faith and courage. It shows that God can save and protect those who trust Him even in the most dangerous situations. This story highlights steadfastness and divine protection.