Daniel 3
From Shadrach's Journal
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| Photo Courtesy |
My name is Shadrach. My friends and I have lived in Babylon for a little while. We're not Babylonians. We are Hebrews who were born in the land of Judah.
King Nebuchadnezzar summoned my friends, Meshach, Abednego, and me to his room. Being summoned to a king's chamber is not a good thing. It usually means something terrible would soon happen.
My friends and I walk in humility with the officers. Like we should. To show respect. We didn't feel sorry for ourselves, no matter what was about to happen. We also didn't feel cocky or want to show off that our God is the one and only God who lives and breathes, and cares and loves and... and his god was only man made.
Our sandals swished on the marble floor. The palace had expensive metals, rich fabrics, paintings, and every bit of wealth imaginable decorating the interior.
We stopped at a door. The official shouted in to the king, "The three Jews are here."
Nebuchadnezzar signaled the official to bring us to him. The guards behind us shoved our shoulders forward. We walked to his throne and stood. Not weeping, not trembling, not arrogant, but strong.
Nebuchadnezzar stood up and walked around us. His face was red with anger and his fist balled ready to hit one of us. "Is it true," he said. "Is it true, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, that you do not serve my gods or worship the image of gold I have set up?"
We looked at each other. We were close friends and had made a bond to worship only God and to never bow down to images. We didn't need to give any signals. No nods or winks or movement of an arm. We remained strong together.
He stopped walking and stood in front of us. "Look at me when I'm speaking to you," Nebuchadnezzar shouted.
We looked at him and nodded our answer. It was true. We do not and will not serve his gods or worship his image.
Some of the red left his face. We had pleased him with our work so many times before. He seemed uncertain about giving us a punishment. Instead he said, "All right. The next time you hear the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, pipes, and all kinds of music, if you are ready to fall down and worship the image I made, very good."
He wanted to give us a chance to change our minds. But we never would. We couldn't go against God's laws to obey Nebuchadnezzar.
He stepped closer and his face reddened again, "But if you don't worship the image, you will be thrown immediately into a blazing furnace." He raised his fist in the air. "Then what god will be able to rescue you from my hand?"
I felt sorry for him in a way. His gods would never save him and that is why he said those words. Only the true God, the real God, the God who lives and loves us could save anyone.
What do you think will happen? Come next Saturday to read more of the story.
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1. Where were Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego taken?
2. What did that person want them to do?
3. What did Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego decide to do?
4. Did these three men show respect to that person even with their decision?
5. What did that person decide to do?
6. What threat did that person give?
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