Shadrach, Meshach, & Abed-nego

In Chapter 52 of Far From The Madding Crowd, Hardy brings in three Jewish characters from the book of Daniel: Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego.  They were the officials in the court of Nebuchadnezzar II, king of Babylon. 
When the king commanded everyone to worship a giant golden image, the three men refused because they would worship only their God. 

As a punishment, they were thrown into fire, but the intense heat killed the soldiers who threw them into the fire. But the three men, however were not burned.  The king then saw a mysterious fourth figure walking with them in the flames.  They emerged unharmed, and the king acknowledged the power of their God.  These names were synonymous with people who endure persecution and severe trial. Hardy invokes biblical story to invoke the preparation of the Christmas party hosted by Boldwood. 

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