The Fiery Furnace

The story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego is one that children grow up learning in Sunday school.  So it would be understandable for an adult to wonder what they can draw from a children’s story.  But of course there is a lot to take away from this story even though it is a familiar one.

For starters, this is an obvious example of faith.  Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego are willing to stand firm in their faith, even if it means their death in the fiery furnace.  They are a shining example for all Christians to stand firm in their beliefs even though they may face persecution.

Underneath the calm collectiveness of the three men as the stare down the king we learn a lot about God.  The men know that God can save them.  They have already witnessed God perform miracles on their behalf as seen in the first two chapters of Daniel.  But they also recognize that God may have a purpose in not saving them this time.

It would be nice if being a Christian meant that life would be perfect, without trials or persecution.  But God doesn’t guarantee those things, only that He will be with us through them.  The question that so many people ask is “where is God during difficult times?”  Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego know that if God does not answer their prayer the way they desire, it is not because He has abandoned them.

Although the men certainly don’t want to face the fiery furnace, they realize that God may have a purpose behind it.  Their martyrdom may spark a revival among the Jews who were weak in their faith and were bowing down to Nebuchadnezzar’s idol.  They are willing to trust God’s plan ahead of their own desires.

Joseph recognized that God used bad things to accomplish His purposes in Genesis 50:20.  He told his brothers, “You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.”  God could save Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego but He might have a greater purpose in not doing so.  And the men were willing to accept that.  They weren’t going to compromise their principles even though they didn’t like where it could lead.

Of course things did turn out alright for them.  Even though they were cast into the fiery furnace, God was with them quite literally.  One can only imagine the look on Nebuchadnezzar’s face as he looked into the furnace and saw four men walking around inside and he knew that only three had been cast into it.

God’s purposes are fulfilled in saving the men this time as Nebuchadnezzar acknowledges the power of God.  He is not near a place of submission to God yet, but this is one step closer to bringing the great king to worshipping the God of Heaven.  In the next chapter God will use all means necessary to humble the king.  For now though he acknowledges that only God can save in such a tremendous way as He did from the fiery furnace.