Story of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego and the burning fiery furnace.
Part 2.
Then Nebuchadnezzar was full of fury and he was very angry with Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego.
The king ordered that the furnace be heated up seven times hotter than usual, and he called for some of the strongest men in the army to bind Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego and throw them into the fire.
So the army men bound them tight with ropes and threw them into the furnace fully clothed and bound with ropes. And because the king was so angry and demanded that the furnace be seven times hotter, the flames leaped out and killed the soldiers who threw them in.
Then as king Nebuchadnezzar was watching, he was astonished as he looked, and he jumped up in amazement and said to his magistrates and governors. “Did we not throw three men into the furnace? “True” they answered.
“Look” Nebuchadnezzar said, “I see four men loose, walking in the midst of the fire and they are not hurt, and the forth, is like the “Son of God.”
Then Nebuchadnezzar went near to the entrance of the burning furnace and spoke saying ” Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, servants of the Most High God, come out and come here.” Then Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego came out from the midst of the fire.
All the administrators, governors, counselors, captains and magistrates gathered around them, and saw that the fire hadn’t touched them, the fire had no power over their bodies – not a hair of their head was singed; their clothes was unscorched, and they didn’t even smell of smoke.
Then Nebuchadnezzar spoke saying, “Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, who sent His Angel and delivered His servants who trust in Him.”
They have defied the king’s law, and were willing to die, rather than serve or worship any god except their own God.”
“Therefore” said the king Nebuchadnezzar, “I make a decree that any people, any nation, or any language, who speaks anything against the God of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, shall be cut in pieces and their houses made an ash heap, because there is no other God who can deliver like this.”
Then the king promoted Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego in the province of Babylon.
Our God, the true and living God delivered Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego from the burning fiery furnace, because they were obedient to Him and would not worship any graven image or any other gods.
Heavenly Father, thank You for being mighty to save and strong to deliver Your people. You are the only true and living God. The Great Creator and Sustainer of all life, the breath we breathe comes from You. What an awesome God You are. We give You all the honour, and we praise and worship You. In Jesus name. Amen.
