This week’s Reflections was written by Robby and Donna Flint, pastors at First Presbyterian Church in Brookings

King Nebuchadnezzar made an image of gold, 60 cubits high and 6 cubits wide, and set it up on the plain of Dura in the province of Babylon.

He then summoned the satraps, prefects, governors, advisers, treasurers, judges, magistrates and all the other provincial officials to come to the dedication of the image he had set up.

So the satraps, prefects, governors, advisers, treasurers, judges, magistrates and all the other provincial officials assembled for the dedication of the image that King Nebuchadnezzar had set up, and they stood before it.

Then the herald loudly proclaimed, “Nations and peoples of every language, this is what you are commanded to do: As soon as you hear the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, pipe and all kinds of music, you must fall down and worship the image of gold that King Nebuchadnezzar has set up. Whoever does not fall down and worship will immediately be thrown into a blazing furnace.”

Therefore, as soon as they heard the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp and all kinds of music, all the nations and peoples of every language fell down and worshiped the image of gold that King Nebuchadnezzar had set up.

At this time some astrologers came forward and denounced the Jews. They said to King Nebuchadnezzar, “May the king live forever! Your Majesty has issued a decree that everyone who hears the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, pipe and all kinds of music must fall down and worship the image of gold, and that whoever does not fall down and worship will be thrown into a blazing furnace. But there are some Jews whom you have set over the affairs of the province of Babylon—Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego—who pay no attention to you, Your Majesty. They neither serve your gods nor worship the image of gold you have set up.”

Furious with rage, Nebuchadnezzar summoned Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego. So these men were brought before the king, and Nebuchadnezzar said to them, “Is it true, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, that you do not serve my gods or worship the image of gold I have set up? Now when you hear the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, pipe and all kinds of music, if you are ready to fall down and worship the image I made, very good. But if you do not worship it, you will be thrown immediately into a blazing furnace. Then what god will be able to rescue you from my hand?”

Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego replied to him, “King Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter. If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to deliver us from it, and he will deliver us from your majesty’s hand. But even if he does not, we want you to know, your majesty, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up.”

Then Nebuchadnezzar was furious with Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, and his attitude toward them changed. He ordered the furnace heated seven times hotter than usual and commanded some of the strongest soldiers in his army to tie up Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego and throw them into the blazing furnace.

So these men, wearing their robes, trousers, turbans and other clothes, were bound and thrown into the blazing furnace. The king’s command was so urgent and the furnace so hot that the flames of the fire killed the soldiers who took up Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, and these three men, firmly tied, fell into the blazing furnace.

Then King Nebuchadnezzar leaped to his feet in amazement and asked his advisers, “Weren’t there three men that we tied up and threw into the fire?”

They replied, “Certainly, your majesty.”

He said, “Look! I see four men walking around in the fire, unbound and unharmed, and the fourth looks like a son of the gods.”

Nebuchadnezzar then approached the opening of the blazing furnace and shouted, “Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, servants of the Most High God, come out! Come here!”

So Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego came out of the fire, and the satraps, prefects, governors and royal advisers crowded around them. They saw that the fire had not harmed their bodies, nor was a hair of their heads singed; their robes were not scorched, and there was no smell of fire on them.

Then Nebuchadnezzar said, “Praise be to the God of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, who has sent his angel and rescued his servants! They trusted in him and defied the king’s command and were willing to give up their lives rather than serve or worship any god except their own God. Therefore I decree that the people of any nation or language who say anything against the God of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego be cut into pieces and their houses be turned into piles of rubble, for no other god can save in this way.”

Then the king promoted Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego in the province of Babylon.

One of my favorite Old Testament Bible stories is the story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. The events are told in the book of Daniel, chapter 3, and begins with King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon, who has a gigantic golden statue created in his honor. All the people were told that when they heard the sound of music, they were to fall down and worship the golden statue. Any who did not do so would be thrown into a blazing furnace. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were faithful Jews, followers of the one God, and word came back to the king that they were not following the edict. When the King called them to task for this, they said “If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, our God is able to deliver us from it. But even if he does not, we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up.” (Daniel 3: 17-18)

The king in anger had the men thrown into the fiery furnace. But when the king looked into the furnace, he saw not only Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, but also a fourth man, all unharmed by the fire and he realized that their God had intervened.

The furnace is opened and the king calls the three men out. Out they come and not even a hair on their head is singed. He’s amazed and declares: “Praise be to your God, who has sent his angel and rescued his servants! They trusted in him and defied the king’s command and were willing to give up their lives rather than serve or worship any god except their own God. Therefore I decree that any who say anything against the God of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego be cut into pieces and their houses be turned into piles of rubble, for no other god can save in this way.” (Daniel 3: 28-29).

What do I love about the story? I admire the faithfulness of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. I am grateful we have a God in whom our trust is not misplaced. Whatever “fire” we face, we can trust God to stand beside us — and that gives us hope and courage. And the three men’s faith and the faithfulness of God changed the mind of a king.

But there is an ugly side. Though the king’s mind changed about the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, the king’s temperament and character did not change. The king who would throw a man in the furnace for not worshiping a golden image, became a king who would cut a man to pieces and destroy his home, if they criticized the one God.

As Christians today, I hope we’re better than that. Like Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, let’s stand up for what is right — even in the face of fire. Let our faith be strong enough to trust that God will protect us as we stand. Let’s aspire to a faith that reaches out with kindness and generosity, with love and concern for those around us. But let’s take it one step more and seek leaders that will care for their people. And together, let’s support them with our prayers that they may lead with peace, not harsh words, fiery furnaces and threats.