The Hebrew text of the book of Daniel ends at chapter 12 but the Greek text in the Septuagint is longer. There are two more stories: Susanna (Daniel 13) as well as Bel and the Dragon (Daniel 14). Today, we read of the story of Susanna.
And he (Joakim) took a wife named Susanna, the daughter of Hilkiah, a very beautiful woman and one who feared the Lord.
Her parents were righteous, and had taught their daughter according to the law of Moses (Daniel 13:2-3).
Two outstanding characteristics of Susanna are mentioned: she was beautiful and she feared the Lord. Her beauty nearly cost her her life but her fear of the Lord saved her.
And he (Joakim) took a wife named Susanna, the daughter of Hilkiah, a very beautiful woman and one who feared the Lord.
Her parents were righteous, and had taught their daughter according to the law of Moses (Daniel 13:2-3).
Two outstanding characteristics of Susanna are mentioned: she was beautiful and she feared the Lord. Her beauty nearly cost her her life but her fear of the Lord saved her.
Two anonymous elders were appointed judges that year and frequently stayed in Joakim's house to handle law suits (Daniel 13:5-6). They had lusted after the beautiful Susanna for a long time and conspired to rape her when she was alone in the garden.
When the maids had gone out, the two elders rose and ran to her, and said:
"Look, the garden doors are shut, no one sees us, and we are in love with you; so give your consent, and lie with us.
If you refuse, we will testify against you that a young man was with you, and this was why you sent your maids away." (Daniel 13:19-21)
Lustful men could truly be stupid and evil at the same time. Nobody sees them! But doesn't God's voice speak in their conscience? They were overcome by their lust and did not think about the consequences of their actions. When caught, both the adulterer and the adulteress would be stoned to death. They knew the law well enough to become judges. But their lust had clouded their mind.
Susanna sighed deeply, and said, "I am hemmed in on every side. For if I do this thing, it is death for me; and if I do not, I shall not escape your hands.
I choose not to do it and to fall into your hands, rather than to sin in the sight of the Lord." (Daniel 13:22-23)
Women were placed in vulnerable positions in ancient societies. They were less fortunate than their present day sisters who can always cry rape to bring men into troubles. Not so in ancient times. They were not given a chance to defend themselves. The rules of the game have changed.
Then the two elders stood up in the midst of the people, and laid their hands upon her head (Daniel 13:34).
These two elders knew the law so well that they abused it. They followed the law to lay hands upon her head to bear witness against her and sentence her to be stoned to death (Leviticus 24:14). In truth, they were breaching the Ten Commandments (Exodus 20:16).
Because of the status of the two elders, the congregation believed in their witness and condemned Susanna to death.
When everybody misunderstands you, God is your last hope.
Then Susanna cried out with a loud voice, and said, "O eternal God, who dost discern what is secret, who art aware of all things before they come to be,
thou knowest that these men have borne false witness against me. And now I am to die! Yet I have done none of the things that they have wickedly invented against me!"
The Lord heard her cry (Daniel 13:42-44).
When the maids had gone out, the two elders rose and ran to her, and said:
"Look, the garden doors are shut, no one sees us, and we are in love with you; so give your consent, and lie with us.
If you refuse, we will testify against you that a young man was with you, and this was why you sent your maids away." (Daniel 13:19-21)
Lustful men could truly be stupid and evil at the same time. Nobody sees them! But doesn't God's voice speak in their conscience? They were overcome by their lust and did not think about the consequences of their actions. When caught, both the adulterer and the adulteress would be stoned to death. They knew the law well enough to become judges. But their lust had clouded their mind.
Susanna sighed deeply, and said, "I am hemmed in on every side. For if I do this thing, it is death for me; and if I do not, I shall not escape your hands.
I choose not to do it and to fall into your hands, rather than to sin in the sight of the Lord." (Daniel 13:22-23)
Women were placed in vulnerable positions in ancient societies. They were less fortunate than their present day sisters who can always cry rape to bring men into troubles. Not so in ancient times. They were not given a chance to defend themselves. The rules of the game have changed.
Then the two elders stood up in the midst of the people, and laid their hands upon her head (Daniel 13:34).
These two elders knew the law so well that they abused it. They followed the law to lay hands upon her head to bear witness against her and sentence her to be stoned to death (Leviticus 24:14). In truth, they were breaching the Ten Commandments (Exodus 20:16).
Because of the status of the two elders, the congregation believed in their witness and condemned Susanna to death.
When everybody misunderstands you, God is your last hope.
Then Susanna cried out with a loud voice, and said, "O eternal God, who dost discern what is secret, who art aware of all things before they come to be,
thou knowest that these men have borne false witness against me. And now I am to die! Yet I have done none of the things that they have wickedly invented against me!"
The Lord heard her cry (Daniel 13:42-44).
Then entered Daniel.
And as she was being led away to be put to death, God aroused the holy spirit of a young lad named Daniel;
and he cried with a loud voice, "I am innocent of the blood of this woman." (Daniel 13:45-46)
Exercising his common sense, Daniel refused to look at things on the outside. The trial procedure had been flawed. Therefore, he cross-examined the two elders separately in front of the whole congregation to expose the inconsistency of their statements. One saw Susanna doing the shameful deed under a mastic tree (Daniel 13:54). The other saw it under an evergreen oak (Daniel 13:58). Daniel had cleared the reputation of Susanna. Her faith in God saved her.
Thus innocent blood was saved that day (Daniel 13:62b).
This is a very edifying story. Though being innocent does not necessarily exempt us from sufferings, God protects the innocent. Good prevails over evil. Let us put our trust in God.
And as she was being led away to be put to death, God aroused the holy spirit of a young lad named Daniel;
and he cried with a loud voice, "I am innocent of the blood of this woman." (Daniel 13:45-46)
Exercising his common sense, Daniel refused to look at things on the outside. The trial procedure had been flawed. Therefore, he cross-examined the two elders separately in front of the whole congregation to expose the inconsistency of their statements. One saw Susanna doing the shameful deed under a mastic tree (Daniel 13:54). The other saw it under an evergreen oak (Daniel 13:58). Daniel had cleared the reputation of Susanna. Her faith in God saved her.
Thus innocent blood was saved that day (Daniel 13:62b).
This is a very edifying story. Though being innocent does not necessarily exempt us from sufferings, God protects the innocent. Good prevails over evil. Let us put our trust in God.
Dear Lord, Daniel saved the innocent Susanna, but You saved an adulteress! You are merciful indeed. You give us sinners hope. In You we trust. Amen.
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