The King Tries to Pressure the Hebrews

The king commanded that the men be brought before him. Pointing to the fiery furnace, he reminded them of the punishment awaiting them if they persisted in their refusal to obey his will. But firmly the Hebrews testified to their allegiance to the God of heaven and their faith in His power to deliver.RR 180.5

As the three Hebrews stood before the king, he was convinced that they possessed something the other wise men did not have. He decided to give them another chance. If only they would unite with the multitude in worshiping the image, all would be well. “But if you do not worship,” he added, “you shall be cast immediately into the midst of a burning fiery furnace.” Then with his hand stretched upward defiantly, he demanded, “Who is the God who will deliver you from my hands?”RR 180.6

The king’s threats were in vain. Calmly facing the furnace, the three Hebrews said, “O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer you in this matter. If that is the case [if this is your decision], our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and He will deliver us from your hand, O king.” Their faith strengthened as they declared that God would be glorified by delivering them. With assurance born of complete trust in God, they added, “But if not, let it be known to you, O king, that we do not serve your gods, nor will we worship the gold image which you have set up.”RR 180.7

The king’s anger knew no bounds. “Full of fury,” “the expression on his face changed toward Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego,” representatives of a despised, captive race. Directing that the furnace be heated seven times hotter than usual, he commanded the mighty men of his army to bind the worshipers of Israel’s God.RR 181.1

“Then these men were bound in their coats, their trousers, their turbans, and their other garments, and were cast into the midst of the burning fiery furnace.” And “the flame of the fire killed those men who took up Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego.”RR 181.2