Scripture Daily

Context No. 3417 of 4322 · Daniel (Greek)

Context · Reflection

Daniel (Greek) 13:15-21: in context

15It happened, as they watched on an opportune day, she went in as before with only two maids, and she desired to wash herself in the garden; for it was hot. 16There was nobody there except the two elders who had hid themselves and watched her. 17Then she said to her maids, “Bring me olive oil and ointment, and shut the garden doors, that I may wash myself.” 18They did as she asked them and shut the garden doors, and went out themselves at the side doors to fetch the things that she had commanded them. They didn’t see the elders, because they were hidden. 19Now when the maids had gone out, the two elders rose up and ran to her, saying, 20“Behold, the garden doors are shut, that no man can see us, and we are in love with you. Therefore consent to us, and lie with us. 21If you will not, we will testify against you, that a young man was with you; therefore you sent your maids away from you.”

Two respected elders, corrupt in secret, corner Susanna alone in her garden and give her an evil choice: submit to them, or they will accuse her falsely of adultery, a charge that could cost her life. It is a scene of predatory power and cruel coercion, men in positions of trust using their standing to threaten the vulnerable.

Susanna is trapped. To refuse is to face a false accusation and possible death; to yield is to sin against God. The rest of her story, beyond these verses, turns on her choice, and she chooses to keep her integrity before God whatever the cost, saying it is better to fall innocent into their hands than to sin in the sight of the Lord. There is real courage in refusing to buy safety with sin, in choosing to trust God even when doing right may bring disaster. Better to suffer a false charge with a clear conscience than to escape it by wrongdoing. Susanna would rather be wronged than do wrong, and she leaves the outcome to God.

When I am cornered into a choice between sin and suffering, will I keep my integrity before God whatever the cost, trusting him rather than saving myself by wrongdoing?

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