The detail in the story that always catches my attention is the fact that the fire in the furnace was so hot that even the soldiers who through the three men into the furnace were slain from the heat. As someone who has done some firefighting and been around iron smelters, intense heat can be extremely frightening. They should have been burned to a crisp in a few short minutes. That God preserved his servants from this fiery ordeal must have been utterly astonishing to the king and all who witnessed it.
Nebuchadnezzar certainly drew the proper conclusion, as evidenced by his reactions in praising God and honoring His three servants:
“Praise be to the God of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, who has sent his angel and rescued his servants! They trusted in him and defied the king’s command and were willing to give up their lives rather than serve or worship any god except their own God. NO OTHER GOD CAN SAVE IN THIS WAY.”Then the king promoted Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego in the province of Babylon.
But ol' Neb still didn't get it at a personal level--as we shall see tomorrow. God didn't give up on him, and now it appears we shall enjoy Nebuchadnezzar's company eternally in heaven.
Seven times HOTTER!
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How did They measure That
Firefighter??