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Lesson:

Obey God even when everyone else does not. He will be your protector.

Extras

• Character Profiles

  • Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego

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    Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego

    

    Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were three Hebrew men who trusted God and refused to bow down to worship a gold statue. They stood up boldly before King Nebuchadnezzar even when they faced sure death from the blazing furnace. God supernaturally protected the men and they were unharmed by the fire- they didn't even smell of smoke! The king was impressed and amazed by what had happened, and promoted the three men to even higher positions in Babylon!

    • Bible References

      • Daniel 3:18
      • Daniel 1:7
      • Daniel 1:4-5
      • Daniel 1:8-14
      • Daniel 1:16
      • Daniel 1:19-20
      • Daniel 2:48-49
      • Daniel 3:1-25
      • Daniel 3:26
      • Daniel 3:28
      • Daniel 3:30

  • King Nebuchadnezzar

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    King Nebuchadnezzar

    

    King Nebuchadnezzar II required all the people to bow down and worship his gold statue. When the three Hebrew men refused, the king flew into rage. He had them tied up and thrown into roaring flames. The king inched closer to the furnace. He noticed four men walking around in the fire, unharmed! This caused him to release the Hebrew men and even praise the "Most High" God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego.

    • Bible References

      • Daniel 3:25
      • Daniel 1:1-2
      • Jeremiah 25:9
      • Jeremiah 39:11-14
      • Daniel 3:24-26
      • Daniel 3:27-30
      • Daniel 4:1-33
      • Daniel 4:34-37
      • Daniel 4:27
      • 1 Timothy 2:3-4
      • 2 Peter 3:9
      • Romans 1:16

  • Astrologers

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    Astrologers

    

    The astrologers served as some of the king's wise men. Their advice came from stars. Shadrach, Meshach, Abednego received their advice from God. The astrologers were jealous of the three men because of the positions the king promoted them to - even though they were prisoners! As soon as they saw the three men refuse to bow to the gold statue, they jumped on the opportunity to inform the king.

    • Bible References

      • Daniel 3:8
      • Daniel 3:1-2
      • Daniel 1:20
      • Daniel 2:48-49
      • Daniel 3:26-30
      • Deuteronomy 18:10-14
      • Deuteronomy 4:19
      • Psalms 8:3-4
      • Isaiah 47:13-14
      • 2 Kings 17:16
      • 2 Kings 21:3
      • Jeremiah 19:13
      • Romans 1:20
      • James 1:5

• Adventure Guide

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    Gizmo's Bible Adventures - Your New Journey with God

  • 

    The Fiery Furnace - Family Discussion Guide

• Videos

  Golden Image

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    Golden Image

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    The Astrologers

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    Shadrach - "We will not bow!"

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    Nebuchadnezzar Rages

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    Shadrach and Friends Stand Firm

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    "Cast Them into the Furnace!"

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    Fourth Person in the Furnace

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    They Don't Even Smell of Smoke

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    Fiery Furnace - Salvation Poem

• Q & A

  • Who do you think was the fourth person in the fiery furnace?

    While some think he was an angel, many Bible teachers believe that the fourth person in the fiery furnace was the Son of God -- Jesus before he came to earth as a man (Daniel 3:25-26). Bible teachers say that the pre-incarnate Son of God is mentioned more than 150 times in the Old Testament.
    
    
    
    The Son of God is so clearly identified throughout the Old Testament that apostle Paul even used it to teach about Jesus: "So a time was set, and on that day a large number of people came to Paul’s lodging. He explained and testified about the Kingdom of God and tried to persuade them about Jesus from the Scriptures. Using the Law of Moses and the books of the prophets, he spoke to them from morning until evening" (Acts 28:23). Theologians call this a "theophany," or an appearance of God. Theophany is Greek, meaning “God” (theo) and “to reveal oneself” (phaneia). God is always revealing Himself. He's also revealing Himself to you today.
    
    
    Let God reveal himself to you

    • Daniel 3:25-26
    • Acts 28:23

  • How did the Hebrew men trust in God, even when faced with great danger?

    The Hebrew men told the king that they believed God would save them from the fiery furnace. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego went on to say, "But even if he doesn’t ... we will never serve your gods or worship the gold statue you have set up" (Daniel 3:18). This is a wonderful example of faith for believers of all ages to follow.
    
    
    
    We can put our trust in Him by holding onto His promises. The Bible gives us many promises to hold onto when life gets hard and when we face danger. Isaiah 43:2 sounds like it was written for Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego: "When you go through deep waters, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown. When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up; the flames will not consume you."
    
    
    
    Psalm 91 is a wonderful chapter in the Bible, filled with many promises from God for our protection. Verse seven says, "Though a thousand fall at your side, though ten thousand are dying around you, these evils will not touch you."
    
    
    
    We can trust that God is with us, and He is for us! "So be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid and do not panic before them. For the LORD your God will personally go ahead of you. He will neither fail you nor abandon you" (Deuteronomy 31:6).
    
    
    Trust God's plans for you

    • Isaiah 43:2
    • Psalms 91:7
    • Daniel 3:18
    • Deuteronomy 31:6

  • When people around us, like those in Nebuchadnezzar's palace, disobey God, how should we react?

    The Bible tells us to put God first in our lives and to obey His loving commandments. In Deuteronomy 6:5-7, Moses writes, “You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise.” The three Hebrew men did not want to disobey the Law of Moses and commit idolatry. People all around them violated these laws and bowed before the golden image, but the three Hebrew men refused to bow down. God blessed their obedience. God will also bless your obedience (Isaiah 43:2).
    
    
    Trust God's plans for you

    • Deuteronomy 6:5-7
    • Isaiah 43:2

  • Where else in the book of Daniel do we see God's servant obeying Him in the face of great danger?

    In the story of Daniel and the lions' den (Daniel 6), we see that Daniel is an official in the Persian Empire under King Darius. The other officials did not like Daniel. These other officials urged King Darius to make a decree. They stated that no one could offer prayer to any god or man except King Darius for a period of thirty days. Daniel continued to pray to Yahweh, knowing that praying could have him killed.
    For this action, his friend King Darius had Daniel arrested and thrown into a den of lions. God miraculously shut the mouths of the lions, and Daniel was saved. Shadrach, Meshach, Abednego, and Daniel all chose to obey God in the face of great danger. Jesus said to his disciples, "If any of you want to be my follower, you must turn from your selfish ways, take up your cross, and follow me" (Matthew 16:24). If we will serve and obey God, no matter what the cost, the Lord will bless us abundantly and show His love through us.
    
    
    Trust God's plans for you

    • Daniel 6
    • Matthew 16:24

  • What can we learn from these Hebrew men and their obedience to God?

    God will pour out his blessing on those who are obedient to Him. The Bible says, "People who despise advice are asking for trouble; those who respect a command will succeed" (Proverbs 13:13). The three Hebrew men -- Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego -- were obedient to God's commandments, even when they faced criticism and certain death. As a result of their obedience, the Bible tells us that Nebuchadnezzar ultimately praises the "Most High God." And then, "the king promoted Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego to even higher positions in the province of Babylon" (Daniel 3:28-30). God will give you great wisdom and blessing if you will obey Him and follow Him with all your strength.
    
    
    Follow God with all your strength

    • Proverbs 13:13
    • Daniel 3:28-30