Daniel 3:19–30

Introduction

Daniel 3:19–30: Today’s reading continues the story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. Angered by their refusal to worship his statue, Nebuchadnezzar has them thrown into a blazing furnace. But when he checks on them, the three men are unharmed, and he sees a fourth man with them in the furnace who looks like an angel. Nebuchadnezzar responds by praising God and rewarding the three men.

Today’s Key Verse: Daniel 3:28a GNT

The king said, “Praise the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego! He sent his angel and rescued these men who serve and trust him.”

Read

¹⁹ Then Nebuchadnezzar lost his temper, and his face turned red with anger at Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. So he ordered the furnace to be heated seven times hotter than usual. ²⁰ And he commanded the strongest men in his army to tie the three men up and throw them into the blazing furnace. ²¹ So they tied them up, fully dressed—shirts, robes, caps, and all—and threw them into the blazing furnace. ²² Now because the king had given strict orders for the furnace to be made extremely hot, the flames burned up the guards who took the men to the furnace. ²³ Then Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, still tied up, fell into the heart of the blazing fire.²⁴ Suddenly Nebuchadnezzar leaped to his feet in amazement. He asked his officials, “Didn’t we tie up three men and throw them into the blazing furnace?”²⁵ “Then why do I see four men walking around in the fire?” he asked. “They are not tied up, and they show no sign of being hurt—and the fourth one looks like an angel.”²⁶ So Nebuchadnezzar went up to the door of the blazing furnace and called out, “Shadrach! Meshach! Abednego! Servants of the Supreme God! Come out!” And they came out at once. ²⁷ All the princes, governors, lieutenant governors, and other officials of the king gathered to look at the three men, who had not been harmed by the fire. Their hair was not singed, their clothes were not burned, and there was no smell of smoke on them.²⁸ The king said, “Praise the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego! He sent his angel and rescued these men who serve and trust him. They disobeyed my orders and risked their lives rather than bow down and worship any god except their own.²⁹ “And now I command that if anyone of any nation, race, or language speaks disrespectfully of the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, he is to be torn limb from limb, and his house is to be made a pile of ruins. There is no other god who can rescue like this.”³⁰ And the king promoted Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego to higher positions in the province of Babylon.

Reflect

How does Nebuchadnezzar try to make the punishment impossible to survive (verse 19)? What happens that proves the fire to be deadly (verse 22)? When the three men are unharmed, Nebuchadnezzar calls them “servants of the Supreme God” (verse 26). Reread verse 29. Why does he consider their God greater than any other god? Have you ever felt God’s presence in a dire situation, or felt that God had rescued you from something? How did you respond?

Pray

Almighty God, you are our savior; nothing can stand against you. Keep us from temptation and make us bold to proclaim your name. Help us to remain faithful in every trial, that our words and actions may glorify you. Deliver us, O Lord. Amen.

Tomorrow’s Reading

Daniel 4:1–18: King Nebuchadnezzar has another dream.