Shadrach, Meshach & Abednego
are fire walkers.
These three young Jewish men were exiled in Babylon because King Nebuchadnezzar had defeated Israel and brought them to his kingdom as captives. Yet like their fellow Israelite, Daniel, the three were recognized as gifted and rose to prominence in the court of Nebuchadnezzar (Daniel 3:1-30).
All wonderful—until Nebuchadnezzar did the typical king thing and declared himself divine. A gold statue was erected and everyone was commanded to genuflect. “Whoever does not fall down and worship shall immediately be cast into a burning fiery furnace.” Everyone prostrates themselves of course—except Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, who refuse to bow before any god save the Lord. The king gives them a chance to recant, but they hold fast. Our God may or may not choose to save us, they declare, but we will never bow before an idol.
Enraged, Nebuchadnezzar has the three Jews cast into a furnace so hot that the soldiers who push them into the oven are instantly toast. Yet when the king peers into the furnace he exclaims, “Did we not cast three men bound into the fire? But I see four men loose, walking in the midst of the fire, and they are not hurt; and the appearance of the fourth is like the son of the gods.”
You and I may not face a trial by fire, but our faith can be sorely tested. Our resolve to serve God and do right is easily broken by the appeal of false gods—the idols of this world that seem to demand our attention, our devotion. When we hold fast in the fire, that mysterious fourth figure—the Lord of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego—stands with us.
COMPANIONS ON THE WAY
Introduction
Stories of Turning
Week One
Stories of Wild Places
Week Two
Stories of Dogged Faith
Week Three
Stories of Mercy & Forgiveness
Week Four
Stories of Simplicity & Joy
Week Five
Stories of Prayer & Surrender
Week Six
Stories of Transforming Love
Thanks for the image of the fourth figure in the fire. What an interesting and deep story to draw upon. Peace, Johnna
As someone who’s worked with a lot of kids in Church school, you won’t be surprised to know this story was one of my Sunday school favorites.
I really hope these stories are true – what an amazing visual to see the three not burning in the furnace. Did Nebuchadnezzar see the light? How could he not? I can attest that God waits for us in the proverbial fire – even the ones we make of our own accord if we’re willing to ask for help.
Yes, Nebuchadnezzar did see the light. The book of Daniel is filled with some remarkable stories—add it to your reading list!
This brought to mind the chorus of the “Shadrach, Meshach, & Abednego” song from a youth musical YEARS ago. Nice blast from the past. 😁 The musical was “Cool in the Furnace.”
(See my reply to Johnna’s comment!)