Daniel and the Fiery Furnace

This is my adaptation of a Biblical story that appears in the Prophets section of the Old Testament.

We had to leave Jerusalem, – it fell,
we were not free.
Thanks to our Lord Ha-Shem, three kings
preferred and favoured me.

I started as a page at court.
I could not eat the meat.
nor indeed the fancy food,
… it’s kosher fare I eat!

Nebuchadnezzar had a dream,
he kept it quiet because
he wished to see if anyone
could tell him what it was.

Magicians and astrologers
none of them could see
the only person who could tell
why, – ‘twas only me.

I told the king just what it was
I told him what it meant.
To let him know of Lord Ha-Shem
that’s why I had been sent!

The king gave me respect and more,
titles, fancy names.
A herald said to worship him
or die in fiery flames

The king was nothing but a man
when all is said and done.
Me and my Jewish friends refused,
Ha Shem’s the only One.

Ezekiel had told my friends
to flee while still they might.
They could expect no miracle
to free them from their plight.

They would not listen to his words,
so sensible, discerning.
They faced with faithful piety
their dreadful fate of burning.

However this was not the plan,
The Lord Ha Shem made clear.
He did grant them a miracle,
His presence very near.

When Shadrach, Meshach, Abednego
were thrown into the fire,
an angel saved them all alive
the furnace had no power!

But for the heathens roundabout
the flames burned fierce and hot.
They perished in the dreadful heat,
their idols served them not.

Published by Charlotte Sebag-Montefiore