Shadrach-Pushed Into The Fiery Furnace

By Mary Vee
Daniel 3

From Shadrach's Journal

Photo Courtesy

My name is Shadrach. My friends, Meshach and Abednego 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. 

The guards yanked our arms behind our backs and tied ropes around us. I've never seen King Nebuchadnezzar this angry before. 

To heat the furnace seven time hotter than he would for anyone else proved his incredible anger.

We still wore our robes, trousers, turbans and other clothes as we were forced to walk to the furnace.

King Nebuchadnezzar's command came so quickly and the furnace pushed to the super hot heat so fast that the burst of flames from the fire killed the soldiers who pushed us. Their last shove, before they died, caused us to fall into the blazing furnace.

The three of us landed on the floor of the furnace. The air around us was hot, but my skin didn't burn. I stood up. So did Meshach, and Abednego. We knew we couldn't just walk out of the furnace so we stood there, waiting to see what would happen next.

Then, to my surprise, I saw a man dressed in a white robe standing with us. He spoke with a gentle voice. "Don't be afraid. I am with you." 

We stood together not really sure what to say to each other. Our clothes didn't burn or catch on fire. We had air to breathe. The flames made a roaring sound all around us but never touched us. We moved our hands through the air and flames. It was thicker than air but not as thick as water.

A voice called to us from the entrance of the furnace. I looked and saw King Nebuchadnezzar shouting, "Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, servants of the Most High God, come out! Come here!"

We walked toward the opening. I looked back, though, and didn't see the man who stood with us. Meshach and Abednego saw me look. We all smiled to each other and stepped out the furnace door.

A swarm of satraps, prefects, governors, and royal advisers crowded around us. "The fire didn't burn them!" one shouted. 

They touched our hair. "Not a hair on their head is singed," said another. 

They touched the fabric of our robes. "Look, their robes are not scorched." 

They took a breath. "There is no smell of fire or smoke on them," said another. "How can this be?"

Nebuchadnezzar stroked his beard. He stepped closer to us and held his arms out wide. "Praise be to the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, who has sent his angel and rescued his servants!

Can you imagine that! Truly God is amazing.

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1. Why was King Nebuchadnezzar angry with Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego? (You will have to look at the last story for this answer).

2. Why did King Nebuchadnezzar order the furnace to be made seven times hotter?

3. What happened to the guards who took Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego to the furnace?

4. What happened while the three friends were in the furnace?

5. Did the visitor go with the three friends when they walked out of the furnace? Why?

6. What did all the officials notice when the three friends stepped out of the furnace?

7. What did King Nebuchadnezzar say?