Shadrach, Meshach, Abednego

Shadrach, Meshach, Abednego: These may not be three names you know, But have a seat and I will tell How they survived a fiery hell As servants of their God, Most High, Praised no false gods, would rather die Than bow to idols of a king, Pledge fealty to a golden thing. These weren’t their names in Israel: Meshach there was Mishael; Shadrach, born as Hananiah; Abednego, as Azariah. These foreign names: blasphemous, flawed; Their true names gloried Jahweh, God. Alas, I fear I’ve jumped ahead, So let’s back up a tad instead. Nebuchadnezzar, or just ‘Nez’, Babylon’s king, the bible says, Constructed, sixty cubits tall, A golden image people all Over the land must worship when The horn announced, the pipes began. The satraps, prefects, magistrates Were to enforce that all, prostrate, Must fall and golden image praise Or get thrown in a fiery blaze. Now these three friends, with much to lose, Would not fall down, for they were Jews Who worshiped the Lord God, Most High. The Chaldeans soon raised a cry To Nez that Shadrach and his friends Must come to fiery, painful ends Because they would not bend a knee Before the monstrous blasphemy. The king became enraged, inflamed, Asked the three friends if, as was claimed, They would refuse to worship thus, But they said, “King, far be for us To do this thing; our God will see Us safe through fire, but your decree Is not one to which we’ll comply, Even if this means we must die.” Then Nez erupted in a fury; These loyal friends no longer curried Favor, for now, the king’s command Was that the furnace should be fanned Till seven times more hotly burned, And there, these three, reward would earn For fealty to their God, Most High. So they were bound; their hands were tied. But when the furnace doors flung wide, The three thrown on the fire inside, The flames arose, their captors fried. The king, astonished, rose in haste, And to the door, he quickly paced. “Did we not throw three in that thing?” They looked confused, said, “True, O king.” “But I see four; this is most odd! The fourth looks like a son of god!” Then at the fire did Nez declare, “Abednego, come out of there! And Shadrach, Meshach, you as well, Come out, come forth from fiery hell!” No hair of theirs remotely singed; Even their clothes were not impinged By slightest smoke or smell of fire. It was as though naught had transpired. “Shadrach, Meshach, Abednego, Blessed be your God, for now, I know His angel watched, delivered you Who heeded Him; to Him, were true. And now I issue a command. Announce to all throughout the land: If one blasphemes your God Most High, Their house in ruin, they’ll surely die. For this, with certainty I say: No other god can save this way.” (from Daniel 3)