We use cookies to collect general visitor statistics but not personal information. Privacy policy

Three men and a fiery furnace

Meshach, Shadrach, Abednego and the fiery furnace.
Contributed by Sue Bentley
Story also available on our translated websites: Portuguese, Hindi
1
There were once some men called Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah. They were Jews living in Babylon. The King of Babylon changed their names to Meshach, Shadrach and Abednego. They loved God very much and they were best friends. – Slide 1
2
One day the three friends were given orders to go to an important event. They heard the sound of music and followed it through the winding streets until finally they came to the edge of the city. – Slide 2
3
There in front of them they saw a tall statue that seemed to reach up to the sky. Everyone was told that when the music played they must bow down before the statue. Anyone who didn’t bow down would be in big trouble. The music started to play. People started to bow down which made the three friends very sad. – Slide 3
4
They knew it was wrong to bow down to the statue. Only God should be worshipped like this. They didn’t realise but some men who worked for the king were watching them. When they saw that the three friends did not bow before the statue the men went at once to tell the king. – Slide 4
5
The king was very angry with the three friends. He wanted to know if it was true what the men had told him. He gave them another chance to go back to the statue and bow before it. If they would not obey him he warned that they would be thrown into a terrible fire! – Slide 5
6
The three friends answered, ‘The true and living God who we serve can save us from the fire but what ever happens we will not bow down to your statue and worship it.’ – Slide 6
7
When the king heard their answer he was furious. He showed his teeth and went very red in the face. – Slide 7
8
He ordered the fire to be made seven times hotter and he sent for his strongest soldiers to tie up the three friends with ropes and throw them into the fire! – Slide 8
9
But something amazing happened when the men entered the fire. Their hands became free from the ropes and they walked around looking very peaceful. As the king watched them he saw another man in the fire. He looked like the Son of God. – Slide 9
10
The king could not believe what he was seeing. The men were completely safe. They were not burned at all. He shouted for the three friends to come out of the fire. As they walked out everyone saw they were safe. They did not even smell of smoke. – Slide 10
11
Then the king spoke to everyone and said, ‘The God of Meshach, Shadrach and Abednego is to be praised. He has kept them safe because they trusted in Him. No one else can save like their God and anyone who speaks evil against Him will be punished. The three friends were very happy and praised God. – Slide 11
12
After this the king gave them very important jobs to help him rule over the great city of Babylon. God had kept the three friends safe in the fire and now He was blessing them again because He loved them. – Slide 12
13
Slide 13