Immerse: Chronicles Full Volume - Flipbook - Page 176
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IMMERSE
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CHRONICLES
3:16-30
Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego replied, “O Nebuchadnezzar, we do
not need to defend ourselves before you. If we are thrown into the blazing
furnace, the God whom we serve is able to save us. He will rescue us from
your power, Your Majesty. But even if he doesn’t, we want to make it clear
to you, Your Majesty, that we will never serve your gods or worship the
gold statue you have set up.”
Nebuchadnezzar was so furious with Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed
nego that his face became distorted with rage. He commanded that the
furnace be heated seven times hotter than usual. Then he ordered some
of the strongest men of his army to bind Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed
nego and throw them into the blazing furnace. So they tied them up and
threw them into the furnace, fully dressed in their pants, turbans, robes,
and other garments. And because the king, in his anger, had demanded
such a hot fire in the furnace, the flames killed the soldiers as they threw
the three men in. So Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, securely tied, fell
into the roaring flames.
But suddenly, Nebuchadnezzar jumped up in amazement and exclaimed
to his advisers, “Didn’t we tie up three men and throw them into the
furnace?”
“Yes, Your Majesty, we certainly did,” they replied.
“Look!” Nebuchadnezzar shouted. “I see four men, unbound, walking
around in the fire unharmed! And the fourth looks like a god!”
Then Nebuchadnezzar came as close as he could to the door of the flaming furnace and shouted: “Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, servants of
the Most High God, come out! Come here!”
So Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego stepped out of the fire. Then
the high officers, officials, governors, and advisers crowded around them
and saw that the fire had not touched them. Not a hair on their heads was
singed, and their clothing was not scorched. They didn’t even smell of
smoke!
Then Nebuchadnezzar said, “Praise to the God of Shadrach, Meshach,
and Abednego! He sent his angel to rescue his servants who trusted in
him. They defied the king’s command and were willing to die rather than
serve or worship any god except their own God. Therefore, I make this
decree: If any people, whatever their race or nation or language, speak a
word against the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, they will be
torn limb from limb, and their houses will be turned into heaps of rubble.
There is no other god who can rescue like this!”
Then the king promoted Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego to even
higher positions in the province of Babylon.
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