An Idol Moment

By Andy Lund

Summary

How Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego survived the fiery furnace.

Characters

Narrator
Herald
Astrologer
Nebuchadnezzar
Shadrach
Meshach
Abednego

Script

Narrator: Thousands of years ago the people of God, the Jews were taken away from their own country and forced into exile in a land called Babylonia.  The King of that country was called Nebuchadnezzar. (He comes forward) King Nebuchadnezzar made an image of gold, ninety feet high and nine feet wide, and set it up in the province of Babylon.  (Statue brought on) He then summoned his governors, advisers, treasurers, judges, magistrates and all the other provincial officials to come to the dedication of the image he had set up. (They assemble)
Herald: This is what you are commanded to do, O peoples, nations and men of every language: As soon as you hear the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, pipes and all kinds of music, you must fall down and worship the image of gold that King Nebuchadnezzar has set up. Whoever does not fall down and worship will immediately be thrown into a blazing furnace. Strike up the music!
(All kinds of instruments play; everyone bows down to the statue)
Stop the music!
(Music stops, everyone gets up.)
Strike up the music!
(All kinds of instruments play; everyone bows down to the statue)
Stop the music!
(Music stops, everyone gets up.)
Strike up the music!
(All kinds of instruments play; everyone bows down to the statue)
Stop the music!
(Music stops, everyone gets up.)
Herald: OK.  You get the idea.
Astrologer 1: O king, live for ever! You have issued a decree, O king, that everyone who hears the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, pipes and all kinds of music must fall down and worship the image of gold.
Nebuchadnezzar: Certainly.
Astrologer 2:   And that whoever does not fall down and worship will be thrown into a blazing furnace.
Nebuchadnezzar:  Yes, certainly.
Astrologer 1: There are some Jews - Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego - who pay no attention to you, O king. They neither serve your gods nor worship the image of gold you have set up.
Narrator: At this King Nebuchadnezzar became furious with rage.
(Nebuchadnezzar stamps his feet)
Narrator: At this King Nebuchadnezzar became furious with rage. (Nebuchadnezzar makes a better effort)  
Nebuchadnezzar : Summon me Shadrach, Meshach and what’s his name.
Narrator: Abednego.
Nebuchadnezzar:  Yes that’s him.  Summon them.
(They are brought in)
Neb: Is it true, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, that you do not serve my gods or worship the image of gold I have set up? Now when you hear the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, pipes and all kinds of music, if you are ready to fall down and worship the image I made, very good. But if you do not worship it, you will be thrown immediately into a blazing furnace. Then what god will be able to rescue you from my hand?
Shadrach: O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter.
Meshach: If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to save us from it, and he will rescue us from your hand, O king.
Abednego: But even if he does not, we want you to know, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up
Narrator: Then Nebuchadnezzar was furious.  (Neb rages)
Neb:  Heat up the furnace 7 times hotter than usual. Tie up Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego and throw them into the blazing furnace.
Narrator: So these men, wearing their robes, trousers, turbans and other clothes, were bound and thrown into the blazing furnace. The furnace was so hot that the flames of the fire killed the soldiers who took up Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego,  (soldiers fall down) and these three men, firmly tied, fell into the blazing furnace.
Neb:  Wait a minute. Weren’t there three men that we tied up and threw into the fire?
Astrologers:  Certainly, O King.
Neb: Look! I see four men walking around in the fire, unbound and unharmed, and the fourth looks like a son of the gods. Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, servants of the Most High God, come out! Come here!
Narrator: So Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego came out of the fire, and the governors and royal advisers crowded around them. They saw that the fire had not harmed their bodies, nor was a hair of their heads singed; their robes were not scorched, and there was no smell of fire on them.  (They all crowd round and sniff)
Neb: 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.
Narrator: Then the king promoted Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego in the province of Babylon.  (King awards medals)

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© Andy Lund, Durrington Christian Fellowship, all rights reserved.
This play may be performed free of charge, on the condition that copies are not sold for profit in any medium, nor any entrance fee charged. In exchange for free performance, the author would appreciate being notified of when and for what purpose the play is performed. He may be contacted at: andrew.lund@ntlworld.com