Daniel 3

Three Valiant Young Men

Have you ever gotten close enough to a fire that you were uncomfortable? Or have you ever been burned? If so, you can understand how frightening being thrown into a fire would be. Imagine, then, the kind of faith you would have to have to willingly walk into a furnace of fire rather than go against what God has taught you. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego had this great faith.

Understanding the Scriptures

Daniel 3

Threescore (v. 1)Sixty (one score is twenty)

Cubits (v. 1)A distance (see Bible Dictionary, “weights and measures,” p. 789)

Cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, dulcimer (vv. 5, 7, 10, 15)Various musical instruments

Regarded (v. 12)Obeyed

We are not careful (v. 16)We are not worried

If it be so (v. 17)If we are thrown into the furnace

Hosen (v. 21)Coat, garment, or tunic

Urgent (v. 22)Had to be done immediately

Astonied (v. 24)Startled

Singed (v. 27)Scorched

Yielded their bodies (v. 28)Risked their lives

After this sort (v. 29)In this way

Studying the Scriptures

Do activities A–C as you study Daniel 3.

1. Explain the Problem

   1. What did Nebuchadnezzar order everyone to do, and why was it wrong? (see Exodus 20:1–6).

   2. What do you imagine less faithful Jews might have said to Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego at the beginning of the story before they were thrown into the fiery furnace? What do you think the three would say in response?

2. Give a Modern Example

   Showing My Faith

   At school

   In the community

   With friends

   Sometimes modern Church members are expected to bow down to the things of the world, or in other words, lower their standards to be acceptable in the eyes of the world. Give one example in each of the following settings where you think members of the Church today might show the faith of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego: (1) at school, (2) in the community, and (3) with friends.

3. In Your Own Words

   1. Write in your own words what the three young men said in Daniel 3:17–18.

   2. What were the young men unsure about, and what were they sure about?

   3. Based on what Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego said and did, what would you say were the most important and powerful elements of their testimonies?

   4. If you could talk with Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego, what questions would you ask them, and why?