Three men who would not bow

Nebuchadnezzar erects a gold statue and decrees that when the music plays, everyone bows or goes into the furnace. Three exiled Jewish officials stay standing. Brought before the king, they give one of the bravest answers in Scripture — and the bravery is in the second half. Our God is able to deliver us, and he will deliver us out of your hand, O king. But if not, be it known to you that we will not serve your gods. They do not claim to know the outcome, and they do not make their obedience depend on it. The furnace is heated seven times hotter and kills the men who throw them in. The king looks and counts four figures walking in the fire, the fourth like a son of the gods. They come out without even the smell of smoke.