Your Story Hour

Aunt Carole: Hello boys and girls, I'm Aunt Carole.

Uncle Jon: And I'm Uncle Jon. Welcome everyone. We're glad you joined us for the fourth exciting chapter in our series on Daniel and his three friends.

This episode is based on the biblical account found in the Old Testament, the Book of Daniel, chapter three. We call it "The Fiery Affair at Dura."

Narrator: Then the king gave Daniel high honors and many great gifts, and made him ruler over the whole province of Babylon and the chief prefect over the wise men of Babylon.

Counselor 1: Now, what are you going to do about it?

Counselor 2: What do you expect me to do?

Counselor 1: Well, it's all your fault!

Counselor 2: Oh, is it?

Counselor 1: You know it is. You're the chief wise man, aren't you? And head of His Majesty's inner council. I mean, you were until you let that upstart of a Hebrew get the better of you.

Counselor 2: Daniel is not an upstart. He's a very wise, intelligent man.

Counselor 1: Yes, he is. Much wiser and more intelligent than you are!

Counselor 3: May I point out to you, my dear magician, that were it not for Daniel and his ability to know and interpret dreams, you would be dead, a victim of His Majesty's anger.

Counselor 1: So would you.

Counselor 3: But I'm not.

Counselor 1: You should be!

Counselor 3: What does that mean? Ah, you're wise, so you say. Figure it out for yourself.

High Priest: No, what good is this quarreling? We must cooperate, not fight. Pull together for the downfall of Daniel, not bicker as to why he's where he is. He's now in power, the King's right-hand man. And as long as he is, we are out. We have little influence, little power.

Counselor 1: That's exactly what I said in the first place. Now, what are you going to do about it?

Counselor 2: Why me? Why does all responsibility fall on me? I'm not at fault anymore than you are or any of the rest of you. It's up to all of us to... I think we'd better let the matter rest a day or so until we cool off a bit. Then I'll call a meeting and we'll discuss the situation rationally. Alright?

Counselor 1: I suppose so.

Counselor 2: Fellow members of His Majesty's inner council, we all know why we're here: to discover a way to regain the influence and power we once enjoyed with His Majesty before Daniel and his three cohorts came to Babylon.

Among our group are magicians, Chaldeans, astrologers, sorcerers, counselors, teachers, scientists, wise men. We are recognized as the wisest group of men in all the world. Certainly, we should have no trouble in discovering a way to regain the top position in His Majesty's affections and the court.

Before a remedy can be prescribed, however, we must know all the facts. We must view the situation from all angles. Daniel sits at the right hand of Nebuchadnezzar. That is the first factor to consider. Anyone have anything else to offer?

Counselor 4: I say let Daniel remain where he is. Let's face it, gentlemen: Daniel did tell the King what he dreamed. He did interpret the dreams. We didn't. We couldn't.

Counselor 2: But we've always been able to satisfy the King with our wisdom and counsel until Daniel came along.

Counselor 4: But Daniel is here. He is honest, truthful. And I've yet to hear of anyone who can outsmart truth and honesty.

Counselor 2: And you're satisfied to let Daniel remain in the top position of influence and power?

Counselor 4: Why not? Daniel will keep the King happy. That means that the King will not call upon us for solving the impossible. We've never had it so good as we will now under Daniel.

Counselor 2: But what about the dignity of man?

Counselor 4: Man?

Counselor 2: Our dignity!

Counselor 4: What about it?

Counselor 2: Don't you mind that you've lost face, power, position, influence? Have you no pride and dignity at all?

Counselor 4: Dignity. I have much more dignity right this minute than I had the other day as I sat there in the dungeon awaiting execution. Believe me, I have. I'm very happy to let things remain just as they are.

High Priest: May I say something?

Counselor 2: We always listen with attention and respect to the High Priest.

High Priest: I do not entirely agree with the learned Chaldean, yet I do understand how he feels. Like him, I too might be satisfied to live a life of prosperity, ease, and peace under Daniel, were it possible.

But a close scrutiny of Daniel himself and the situation will reveal, I think, that our lives as counselors and wise men and the lives of the Babylonian people as a whole will be full of trouble, turmoil, and unhappiness if Daniel continues as chief advisor to the King.

Counselor 4: Just what do you base that opinion on?

High Priest: Daniel's religious belief is very different from ours. He worships the God of heaven. We worship other gods. Daniel's influence upon the King could in time destroy our way of life. Now, if this is what you want, then I say let things remain as they are.

Counselor 1: No, that's not what we want.

Counselor 2: That was a very concise and clear statement of fact, High Priest. Anyone else wish to say anything?

Counselor 3: I think we are all agreed in principle at least with the High Priest. In my opinion, there remains only the decision as to how best to be rid of Daniel and his three friends: Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego.

High Priest: May I again say something?

Counselor 2: With pleasure, Your Grace.

High Priest: Have an assurance we must be rid of Daniel, but we must be careful, extremely careful. At the moment, His Majesty loves Daniel, dotes on his every action, laughs at his jokes, applauds his opinions.

Any opposition to Daniel right now, regardless of how small, would receive immediate censure from the King. This we must avoid. There will come a time, however, when the King isn't quite so actively keen on Daniel and his crowd.

Then and only then can we begin to take action against Daniel. The action even then must be cautious. The King must never get the idea that we are against Daniel. On the contrary, we must give the King every reason to think we are for him.

Counselor 2: I'm sure we all agree with that.

High Priest: I am confident that we can strike against Daniel and his friends first through their religion. Now, that is my department. With your approval and blessing, I shall take full charge.

Counselor 2: Are we agreed? Any objections? Your Grace, as High Priest and member in good standing of this inner council, you have approval to do what you can to discredit Daniel before His Majesty, King Nebuchadnezzar.

Narrator: For a while after Daniel and his three friends were given high places in the Babylonian kingdom, Nebuchadnezzar believed in the God of heaven. But as the years slipped by, the heart of the prosperous King became filled with pride. Finally, he ceased to honor God and again went back to idol worship with greater fervor than before.

High Priest: Welcome to the temple, Your Majesty. It's been many a moon since we have been honored by your presence.

King Nebuchadnezzar: I've been missed?

High Priest: Indeed you have, Your Majesty. The under-priests, the prophets, caretakers, all of us have been sad and lonely for the mere sight of our sovereign and king. And the gods, they have been heartbroken.

King Nebuchadnezzar: I have missed them too, especially Ashtoreth.

High Priest: Ah, Ashtoreth. The goddess longs once again to bring His Majesty youth and vitality and all the pleasures that are products of fidelity to her. What can I do for you?

King Nebuchadnezzar: I am having a feast and I want the banquet hall decorated with the usual figurines and statues of Babylonian gods.

High Priest: So His Majesty wants the re-establishment of full idol worship, does he? Very well, it shall be done.

Counselor 2: Fellow members of His Majesty's inner council, you have been asked to this special meeting to hear good news. I give you His Grace, High Priest of Babylon. He will divulge the good news.

High Priest: I am happy to report that His Majesty King Nebuchadnezzar has resumed idol worship with increased zeal. Now, I have called you together to suggest a plan which, if the King accepts, will serve to unify our position with the King and perhaps...

King Nebuchadnezzar: You may come forward, wise men.

Counselor 2: Long live the King!

King Nebuchadnezzar: The request for an audience stated that my counselors wish to discuss with me a matter of the greatest importance.

Counselor 2: Yes, Your Majesty.

King Nebuchadnezzar: Important to whom? You or me?

Counselor 2: To you, Your Majesty, and the empire of Babylon.

King Nebuchadnezzar: Ah, all right, permission granted. Proceed.

Counselor 2: To begin with, Your Majesty, we must establish and mutually agree on certain facts. First, thou, oh King, art a great and mighty king.

King Nebuchadnezzar: I agree to that.

Counselor 2: Babylon under your rule has risen to a top place among nations. In fact, Babylon is the richest and most powerful nation of the world.

King Nebuchadnezzar: Agreed.

Counselor 2: Babylon is eternal. It will never come to an end.

King Nebuchadnezzar: True.

Counselor 2: And the dynasty of His Majesty will also never come to an end.

King Nebuchadnezzar: That is my fondest wish.

Counselor 2: We must take steps to make it come true, Your Majesty.

King Nebuchadnezzar: Yes, yes, we must. My dynasty must be established forever and ever. You know how to do that?

Counselor 2: Yes, Your Majesty. That and more.

King Nebuchadnezzar: Oh?

Counselor 2: I propose, Your Gracious Majesty, to let the entire world know how truly great and indestructible you are.

King Nebuchadnezzar: You can do this?

Counselor 2: Yes, Your Majesty.

King Nebuchadnezzar: How?

Counselor 2: Remember your dream, Your Majesty? The image and the head of gold? Thou art the head of gold. Remember those words?

King Nebuchadnezzar: Yes.

Counselor 2: We propose, Your Majesty, that an image similar to the one in your dream be made and set up where all might behold and admire and worship.

King Nebuchadnezzar: Yes, yes, an image. Head of gold, gold, me. I will be the head of gold.

Counselor 2: Thou art the head of gold, Your Majesty.

King Nebuchadnezzar: The plan has merit, my counselors. I shall give it further thought and consideration. Yes, you may withdraw, wise men.

Counselor 2: Long live the King! Long live the King!

Queen: Then you are going to make the image as suggested.

King Nebuchadnezzar: Why not? It will spread my fame and glory to the four corners of the earth.

Queen: Have you so soon forgotten the God of Daniel?

King Nebuchadnezzar: Daniel's God? Why should I be concerned about him?

Queen: Because through Daniel, he revealed to you the dream and its interpretation, proving his superiority over other gods.

King Nebuchadnezzar: I am a prosperous and powerful king, am I not?

Queen: There's no denying those things, Nebuchadnezzar.

King Nebuchadnezzar: Did Daniel's God have anything to do with making Babylon the greatest kingdom on earth and me the King?

Queen: No.

King Nebuchadnezzar: I did it! I, all by myself! I have the power and the glory of Babylon. I, and I alone. I will see to it that Daniel is elsewhere when I do it.

Queen: Then you are going to make the image and place it where all may see?

King Nebuchadnezzar: I am. And I am going to do even more than the wise men suggested. Instead of an image with a head of gold, the entire image will be gold. Gold, symbolic of Babylon, the eternal, indestructible, all-powerful kingdom. My image, my kingdom shall break in pieces all other kingdoms and shall stand forever, forever and ever.

Queen: With your enthusiasm and boundless ambition, you can do it too. You can establish a nation and a dynasty that will endure forever.

King Nebuchadnezzar: You, the Queen on my side...

Queen: Who is better qualified to know the capabilities of His Majesty than I, his Queen?

King Nebuchadnezzar: Thank you, my dear.

Queen: You are a mighty man, Nebuchadnezzar, a mighty ruler of a mighty kingdom. The armies of the world have been unable to stand against you. You are well able to exalt Babylon and yourself as supreme, worthy of universal allegiance if...

King Nebuchadnezzar: If?

Queen: If you can forget the remarkable providences connected with your dream and the interpretation. If you can forget the significance of the dream. If you can forget that Daniel and Daniel's God saved the lives of the great men in your realm. And if you can forget all else except your desire to establish your own power and supremacy.

King Nebuchadnezzar: Is the Queen being sarcastic?

Queen: I am stating fact.

King Nebuchadnezzar: Well, listen to this: I am going to build that image and I am going to use that image to glorify myself, not Daniel's God. Yes, yes, I'll do it. It will represent me, the one and only King of the world.

Assyria shall come and admire it, Egypt, Israel, Judah, Media, Phoenicia, all of them will come to my image and do me homage. I shall build an image that will excel the one in my dream. It shall be made of gold, all gold from its head to its toes. Gold, gold, symbolic of Babylon as a wealthy, eternal, indestructible, all-powerful kingdom which shall break in pieces all other kingdoms and stand forever and ever.

Aunt Carole: Do you like surprises? Well, one of our listeners does. She wrote, "Imagine my surprise when I heard you say that adults can sign up for the adventures. I was thrilled. I'm 33 years of age and I'm also a Christian and believe me, I've learned a lot of things from your stories. God bless you all."

Uncle Jon: And thank you and God bless you too. Although the adventures were written with vocabulary that most nine-year-olds understand, the message is for people of all ages. Experience has proven that kids, teens, and adults all appreciate the lack of long theological terms.

Aunt Carole: We're sure that no one had to rent a dictionary to understand the words Jesus used when he taught.

Uncle Jon: And we've tried to follow his example with the adventure stories and quizzes. Whether you're 9 or 33 or 109, you want to know Jesus better. The adventure stories, puzzles, quizzes, and audio recordings are for you, and they're totally free of charge. That's right, they're a gift, no strings attached.

So, visit our website at yourstoryhour.org, click on the Adventures icon and sign up today. That's yourstoryhour.org. Now let's get back to our story, "The Fiery Affair at Dura."

Narrator: And the image of gold was built and set up in the plain of Dura in the province of Babylon. Then did King Nebuchadnezzar send for the princes, the governors, the captains, the judges, the treasurers, the counselors, the sheriffs, the great men, the renowned men, and the rulers of all the provinces of Babylon, and they came together in the plain of Dura.

Counselor 2: Oh, what a crowd! All the wise and great men of the world are gathered here, right here.

Counselor 3: All except Daniel.

Counselor 2: Daniel isn't here?

Counselor 3: No.

Counselor 2: Surely he's going to be here? His Majesty decreed that all his officers were to be here.

Counselor 3: Either His Majesty gave Daniel special permission to be elsewhere, or he's ill. But Daniel's three companions, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego are here.

Herald: It's an announcement! Wise men, great men, counselors, officers of His Majesty's court, governors, princes, ladies and gentlemen, you are here to pay homage to the greatest monarch the world has ever known or ever will know: Nebuchadnezzar, son of the gods, sustainer of mankind, wise, mighty, all-knowing King of Babylon.

When ye shall hear the sound of the instruments of music, you shall fall down upon your knees and worship the golden image you see before you. And whosoever falleth not down and worshippeth the golden image shall at that same hour be cast into the midst of a burning fiery furnace. Long live the King!

Counselor 2: I'm going to watch those three closely.

Narrator: King Nebuchadnezzar was at the height of his glory, for as far as the eye could see, people were on their knees worshiping the great and majestic golden image which towered up before them nearly 100 feet into the sky.

His eyes were bright with the light of power, his face flushed with the excitement of triumph. Slowly, he arises from the temporary throne set up there in the plain of Dura. Majestically, he raises his arms and signals the people to arise from their knees.

King Nebuchadnezzar: Ah, what a scene! There will never be anything to equal this. It will be remembered generation after generation, century after century. I am master of all mankind. I am above the gods. Nebuchadnezzar, King of Babylon!

Counselor 2: Your Majesty.

King Nebuchadnezzar: Yes, wise man?

Counselor 2: I would speak with you, sir.

King Nebuchadnezzar: Permission granted, speak up.

Counselor 2: This is a great day for you, Your Majesty. Here in personal attendance are the great and powerful men of the world. They have witnessed this impressive ceremony. They cannot help recognizing that His Majesty, King of Babylon, is the greatest monarch of the world.

King Nebuchadnezzar: Yes, yes, that's true.

Counselor 2: It is with great reluctance, Your Majesty, that I point out one flaw in the otherwise perfect demonstration of thy might and power here today.

King Nebuchadnezzar: One flaw? You jest.

Counselor 2: No, my Lord and Master, I am very serious. As the music sounded, everyone bowed in humble homage, all except three young men.

King Nebuchadnezzar: They didn't bow down before the image?

Counselor 2: They did not, Your Majesty. And may I point out that such flagrant disobedience of thy commands, if left unpunished, could well undo all the good done here today.

King Nebuchadnezzar: Who are they who dare disobey me in such an outrageous manner? They must be punished!

Herald: They will be, have no fear of that. They shall be thrown into a fiery furnace. Who are they?

Counselor 2: Oh King, live forever. The disobedient ones are none other than the three Israelite slaves thou hast appointed as rulers over the affairs of Babylon.

King Nebuchadnezzar: How dare they? Captain, bring the three Hebrews to me at once. Oh, we'll see about this. Disobey me, will they? They'll die for this.

Is it true that you did not bow down to the golden image?

Shadrach: It is true, Your Majesty.

King Nebuchadnezzar: You heard the order?

Shadrach: Yes, Your Majesty.

King Nebuchadnezzar: Then why did you not obey?

Shadrach: We cannot serve the Babylonian gods nor bow down and worship any god but the God of heaven.

King Nebuchadnezzar: But you serve me! Are not my orders to be obeyed? Your my officers, princes, governors. By disobeying me you disgrace me. This I will not tolerate.

Shadrach: Our first allegiance, oh King, is to the God of heaven.

King Nebuchadnezzar: See that fiery furnace? Unless you bow down and worship that image I shall have you burned alive. Do you understand?

Shadrach: Yes, Your Majesty.

King Nebuchadnezzar: Then you will bow down to the image?

Shadrach: We cannot, Your Majesty.

King Nebuchadnezzar: You, all three of you, have been faithful to me. You are wise. You've proved yourselves ten times more wise than the other members of my court. You have something that the others don't have. If you will only bow down and worship the image, all still will be well. I'll forgive you. You'll go on to greater achievements and fame.

But if you refuse, you shall surely be cast alive into the fiery furnace. And where is the God that shall deliver you out of the fiery furnace?

Shadrach: Oh Nebuchadnezzar, if this be your decision, if you cast us into the fiery furnace, the God whom we serve is able to deliver us. But if it is not his will to deliver us, then know this, oh King, we will not serve your gods nor worship the golden image which you have set up.

King Nebuchadnezzar: Officer, have the furnace made seven times hotter. I shall show these stubborn Hebrews who's around here. Captain, get your strongest and most able soldiers. Have them bind these three disobedient traitors. I will not tolerate such rebellion and disobedience. When I get through with them, the whole world will know that I...

Herald: All is in readiness, Your Majesty.

King Nebuchadnezzar: The furnace has been heated seven times hotter?

Herald: It has, Your Majesty.

King Nebuchadnezzar: The three traitors, have they been properly bound?

Herald: They have, Your Majesty, with all their clothes on. The flames will lick at them the more, Your Majesty.

King Nebuchadnezzar: Excellent, excellent. All right, Captain, have your men cast the three traitors into the furnace.

Herald: Oh Your Majesty, that furnace is hot! I can feel the heat all the way back here.

King Nebuchadnezzar: Yes, yes, they'll never get out of that fire alive.

Herald: Your Majesty, look! The heat has set the clothes of one of the guards aflame. He's dropped to the ground.

King Nebuchadnezzar: Ah, what's one soldier more or less? The main thing is those three will never get out of that heat.

Herald: Another guard, Your Majesty, after throwing them into the furnace, have all fallen to the ground, their clothes aflame.

King Nebuchadnezzar: Yes.

Herald: Your Majesty, look! Look at the three! They're standing up in the furnace! Now, now they're walking around!

Counselor 2: Yes, as if they could escape.

King Nebuchadnezzar: Wise man, did I not have three men cast into the furnace? Three men?

Counselor 2: Yes, Your Majesty: Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego.

King Nebuchadnezzar: But I see four men! Four men are walking around inside the furnace! Four men! And the fourth one is... he is like unto the Son of God! Out of my way, I'm going closer to the furnace.

Herald: Make way for His Majesty! Oh, but this is close enough, Your Majesty. It's too hot, dangerous to get any nearer.

King Nebuchadnezzar: Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, can you hear me?

Herald: They hear you, Your Majesty. They've turned this way.

King Nebuchadnezzar: Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, come forth out of the furnace! Come here to me!

Herald: They're coming! The fourth one's disappeared. Oh, I can't believe it! They don't seem to be burned at all. Not at all.

Shadrach: Long live the King!

King Nebuchadnezzar: You aren't burned. Your hair isn't even singed or your clothes touched by the fire. Not even the smell of scorch on your clothes.

Shadrach: The fire had no power over us, Your Majesty. Only the fetters which bound us were burned.

King Nebuchadnezzar: I saw four men in there. The fourth, who was he?

Shadrach: Oh King, be it known unto thee and the multitude that the God of heaven sent his angel to deliver us from the fiery furnace.

King Nebuchadnezzar: But how can any God be so... but apparently your God can. He seems to be able to do anything. He gave you wisdom ten times above the others. He revealed dreams and their interpretation. And now he has delivered you from the fiery furnace.

Scribe, clear a path back to my throne. I am going to make an announcement. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, come with me.

Herald: Make way for His Majesty King Nebuchadnezzar! Clear the way! His Majesty passes!

Counselor 3: Well, I guess we failed.

High Priest: We failed to take into consideration the power of their God.

Counselor 3: Does any God have that much power? Power to deliver from fire?

High Priest: Their God seems to. But does he? You're a High Priest, you should know. There's only one way any God can have that much power, and that is to be exactly what Daniel and those three claim he is: a living God, the God of creation.

Next time we'll know what to plan on. In the meantime, we'd better go along with the King and the crowd, make believe we approve and agree. Now come along.

Herald: Ladies, gentlemen, members of His Majesty's court, visitors from all parts of the world, His Majesty King Nebuchadnezzar wishes your attention.

King Nebuchadnezzar: I came here to the plain of Dura with the belief that there is no other being anywhere equal to me in glory or wealth or power. But I was mistaken.

Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. I gave orders that they be burned, but their God overruled my command and delivered them. Be it known unto you that their God delivered them, that they might not serve nor worship any God except their own.

Blessed be their God! I hereby issue this order: any people, nation, or language which speaks anything against the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego shall be cut in pieces and their houses laid in ruin. As for me and my people, we shall worship the only God who can deliver after this sort. I have spoken. So be it.

Narrator: Then the king promoted Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in the province of Babylon.

Aunt Carole: Well, that's all we have time for today.

Uncle Jon: But we're already looking forward to getting together with you again.

Aunt Carole: Until then, may God bless you one and all.