Susanna 28-43

Relax, Read and Reflect

Prayer- Lord, Open our hearts and open our minds and help us to learn. Go-Fight-Win. Amen.

28 And it came to pass the next day, when the people were assembled to her husband Joacim, the two elders came also full of mischievous imagination against Susanna to put her to death;
29 And said before the people, Send for Susanna, the daughter of Chelcias, Joacim's wife. And so they sent.
30 So she came with her father and mother, her children, and all her kindred.
31 Now Susanna was a very delicate woman, and beauteous to behold.
32 And these wicked men commanded to uncover her face, (for she was covered) that they might be filled with her beauty.
33 Therefore her friends and all that saw her wept.
34 Then the two elders stood up in the midst of the people, and laid their hands upon her head.
35 And she weeping looked up toward heaven: for her heart trusted in the Lord.
36 And the elders said, As we walked in the garden alone, this woman came in with two maids, and shut the garden doors, and sent the maids away.
37 Then a young man, who there was hid, came unto her, and lay with her.
38 Then we that stood in a corner of the garden, seeing this wickedness, ran unto them.
39 And when we saw them together, the man we could not hold: for he was stronger than we, and opened the door, and leaped out.
40 But having taken this woman, we asked who the young man was, but she would not tell us: these things do we testify.
41 Then the assembly believed them as those that were the elders and judges of the people: so they condemned her to death.
42 Then Susanna cried out with a loud voice, and said, O everlasting God, that knowest the secrets, and knowest all things before they be:
43 Thou knowest that they have borne false witness against me, and, behold, I must die; whereas I never did such things as these men have maliciously invented against me.

There are few things that are disturbing in this trial. Justice is swift, but very blind. The elders ordered Susanna to remove her veil and be exposed. This was very embarrassing for Susanna and her family. They testified that they caught in the act- but could not subdue the man, he was too strong. They did not know who the man was, and Susanna would not tell them, (and why were they in the garden?) The wildest part was-the assembly believed them! Was there no commandment these guys would not break. They coveted, wanted to commit adultery, they bore false witness, stole (broke into the garden,) and even tried to murder. Wow!
Notice Susanna did not testify in her own defense. She couldn’t-she was a girl. The servants and friends did not testify for her. Were they in shock or just scared. Where was her husband?
On a very serious note, there is still false accusations made about people everyday. Even in major court cases-especially ones dealing with morality, people are quick to believe the accuser. Children make up tales, parents hear and the witch hunt begins. Don’t think this can’t happen today- it would just take longer to go to trial and there would be much more coverage.

Prayer- Lord, give us wisdom so that we can understand. Help us be slow to judge and to always consult YOU when forced to make a difficult decision. Go-Fight-Win. Amen.