But they stood up boldly, and said, "Our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and He will deliver us out of thine hand, O King! But if not, be it known unto thee, O King, that we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up."
The king was very angry at this brave answer. He had the furnace made seven times hotter than usual; and Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego were thrown into it, tied hand and foot; and the flame was so hot, that it burnt the men that threw them in.
Presently, the king gave a loud cry. For in the midst of the fire were the men, not tied, but free, and walking in the burning heat, as if they were in cool spring air! And there was another with them, whose form was the Son of God. Then he called them, and the three came out. There was no smell of fire about them, and not a hair of their heads was singed; they had not felt the heat at all; but that Holy One had taken care of them, and had kept them safe in the midst of the fire.
Then the king of Babylon knew how wrong he had been; and he sent forth a command, that no one should ever speak a word against the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego, who had saved them in the burning fiery furnace.
QUESTIONS.
1. Where were the Jews living? 2. How came the Jews to be at Babylon? 3. What did the king of Babylon want everyone to worship? 4. Who would not worship the golden image? 5. Why would not Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego worship the image? 6. What is the Second Commandment? 7. What was done to them for not worshipping the image? 8. What is a furnace? 9. How hot was it made? 10. What did the king see in the fire? 11. Who was with him? 12. Were they hurt? 13. Why did not the fire burn Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego? 14. Who took care of them in the fire?
SECOND READING.
"Those that walk in pride He is able to abase."—Daniel 4:37.
