Story of furnace full of fire – आग से भरी भट्ठी की कहानी
The story “furnace full of fire” often invokes the biblical story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, which can be found in the Book of Daniel in the Old Testament. This story is a well-known account of faith and divine protection.
In the sixth century BCE, the Babylonian king Nebuchadnezzar conquered Jerusalem and took many Israelites into captivity in Babylon. Among these captives were three young men named Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego.
King Nebuchadnezzar erected a massive golden statue, demanding that all his subjects bow down and worship it when they heard music played. Those who refused to worship the statue would face execution in a fiery furnace.
Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, who were devout followers of the God of Israel, refused to worship the golden image. They remained steadfast in their faith and refused to bow down to any other gods.
Some of the king’s officials, jealous of the three young men’s influence, reported their disobedience to Nebuchadnezzar. Furious with their defiance, the king summoned them to his presence.
Nebuchadnezzar gave Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego one final opportunity to worship the golden image. He warned them that if they did not comply, they would be thrown into a furnace of blazing fire.
In the face of the king’s threat, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego reaffirmed their faith and trust in their God. They declared that even if they were thrown into the fiery furnace, they would not worship any other gods.
Nebuchadnezzar, infuriated by their response, ordered the furnace to be heated seven times hotter than usual. The three men were bound and thrown into the furnace by the king’s strongest soldiers. However, as the soldiers cast them into the fire, a miraculous event occurred. Nebuchadnezzar saw not three, but four men walking around in the furnace, unharmed and unbound. The fourth figure was described as resembling “a son of the gods.”
Astonished and humbled by the miracle he witnessed, Nebuchadnezzar ordered Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego to come out of the furnace. When they emerged, not a hair on their heads was singed, and they didn’t even smell of smoke. Nebuchadnezzar praised the God of Israel and issued a decree that no one should speak against the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego.
This story has become a symbol of faith, courage, and divine protection in the face of adversity, and it continues to be a source of inspiration for many. It illustrates the biblical theme that those who remain faithful to their beliefs can trust in God’s protection even in the midst of trials and challenges.
Story of furnace full of fire – आग से भरी भट्ठी की कहानी
