“Nebuchadnezzar the king made an image of gold, whose height was sixty cubits and its width six cubits.” (Daniel 3:1) This 90 foot tall statue was a tribute to the great king Nebuchadnezzar people from all around gathered around to worship this great image, “…a herald cried aloud: at the time you hear the sound of all kinds of music, you shall fall down and worship the gold image…and whoever does not fall down shall be cast immediately into the midst of a burning fiery furnace.” (Daniel 3:4-6) There was a problem, some Chaldeans came forward making accusations, “There are Jews Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego; these men, DO NOT worship the gold image have set up…Then Nebuchadnezzar, in rage and fury, commanded to bring Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego. “Is it true, that you do not worship the gold image which I have set up? The God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, BUT IF NOT, let it be known to you, O king, that we do not worship the gold image which you have set up.” (Daniel 3:12-14, 17-18) “…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 the son of God!” (Dan. 3:22-25)
We know the story, they didn’t bow down, we’re thrown in by guards, who died getting so close to the exceedingly hot furnace, and were seen dancing around with a fourth person (Jesus, He’s always with us in our troubles “God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” So we say with confidence, “The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals DO TO ME?” (Heb. 13:5-6)) then they came out with NO smell of smoke.
-Bill Stockham