Daniel (Greek) 13:55-59: a reflection

55And Daniel said, “You have certainly lied against your own head; for even now the angel of God has received the sentence of God and will cut you in two.” 56So he put him aside, and commanded to bring the other, and said to him, “O you seed of Canaan, and not of Judah, beauty has deceived you, and lust has perverted your heart. 57Thus you have dealt with the daughters of Israel, and they for fear were intimate with you; but the daughter of Judah would not tolerate your wickedness. 58Now therefore tell me, under which tree did you take them being intimate together?” He answered, “Under an evergreen oak tree.” 59Then Daniel said to him, “You have also certainly lied against your own head; for the angel of God waits with the sword to cut you in two, that he may destroy you.”

Susanna had been falsely condemned by two wicked elders; but Daniel, given wisdom, cross-examines them separately, and their lie collapses. Asked under which tree they claimed to have seen her sin, each names a different tree; the contradiction exposes their false testimony, and the innocent Susanna is vindicated while the liars are condemned. What no human defense could achieve, God accomplished through the wisdom he gave Daniel: the truth came to light, and the innocent was cleared.

Notice how the truth came to light and the innocent was vindicated. Susanna had been powerless to prove her innocence; the accusers were believed, and she seemed doomed. But God brought the truth to light through the wisdom he gave Daniel; the false testimony, put to the test, could not stand, and its contradictions exposed the lie. The innocent was cleared, and the liars condemned, not by Susanna's own effort, but by God's bringing the truth to light.

That God brings the truth to light and vindicates the innocent is a comfort for those wrongly accused and unable to clear themselves. When we are falsely accused, and cannot prove our innocence, we may feel doomed, as Susanna felt. But God is able to bring the truth to light, in his time and way, and to vindicate the innocent; the lie, however believed for a time, cannot finally stand against the God who knows and reveals the truth. When you are wrongly accused and cannot vindicate yourself, entrust your cause to God, who brings the truth to light. He vindicated Susanna when she could not vindicate herself; he is able to bring your truth to light too, in his time. Do not despair when falsehood seems to prevail; the God who exposed the elders' lie and cleared the innocent is able to bring the truth to light for you, and to vindicate you in his time.

Lord, Susanna had been falsely condemned, but through the wisdom you gave Daniel, who cross-examined the elders separately until their contradictory answers exposed their lie, the truth came to light, the innocent was vindicated, and the liars condemned. Give me the comfort of knowing that you bring the truth to light and vindicate the innocent. When I am falsely accused, and cannot prove my innocence, I may feel doomed, as Susanna felt. But you are able to bring the truth to light, in your time and way, and to vindicate the innocent; the lie, however believed for a time, cannot finally stand against you, who know and reveal the truth. When I am wrongly accused and cannot vindicate myself, help me entrust my cause to you, who bring the truth to light. You vindicated Susanna when she could not vindicate herself; you are able to bring my truth to light too, in your time. Keep me from despairing when falsehood seems to prevail; you, who exposed the elders' lie and cleared the innocent, are able to bring the truth to light for me, and to vindicate me in your time. I entrust my cause to you, Lord.