Yesterday, 08:59 AM
She Was Sentenced to Die for a Crime She Didn't Commit
Imagine if this happened in Nigeria today...
A respected married woman asks her servants to leave the garden so she can enjoy a private bath.
As soon as they leave, two elderly judges, who had secretly been hiding and watching her, come out of their hiding place.
These were not ordinary men. They were leaders, trusted to uphold justice.
Instead, they demanded that she sleep with them.
Then came the threat:
"If you refuse us, we'll tell everyone we caught you committing adultery with a young man. Everyone will believe us, and you'll be put to death."
Susanna had a choice.
Sin against God to save her life...
Or remain faithful and risk execution.
She chose righteousness.
"I would rather fall into your hands without doing this evil than sin against God."
The two judges carried out their threat.
Because they were respected, everyone believed them.
Susanna was arrested, put on trial, and sentenced to death.
Social media would have already judged her.
The headlines would have called her guilty.
The public would have moved on.
But as she was being led away to die, Susanna cried out to God.
Then a young man named Daniel stood up and said the case should be heard again.
He separated the two witnesses and asked each of them one simple question:
"Under what tree did you see the woman with the young man?"
One judge named one kind of tree.
The other named a different one.
Their lies collapsed instantly.
Susanna was declared innocent.
The two corrupt judges received the very punishment they had planned for her.
This is not today's news.
This is the Book of Susanna, a remarkable story found in the Catholic and Orthodox versions of the Book of Daniel.
It reminds us that:
Before you believe the next accusation you read online, remember Susanna.
Sometimes, all it takes to expose a lie is asking the right question.
Have you ever read the Book of Susanna before?
Imagine if this happened in Nigeria today...
A respected married woman asks her servants to leave the garden so she can enjoy a private bath.
As soon as they leave, two elderly judges, who had secretly been hiding and watching her, come out of their hiding place.
These were not ordinary men. They were leaders, trusted to uphold justice.
Instead, they demanded that she sleep with them.
Then came the threat:
"If you refuse us, we'll tell everyone we caught you committing adultery with a young man. Everyone will believe us, and you'll be put to death."
Susanna had a choice.
Sin against God to save her life...
Or remain faithful and risk execution.
She chose righteousness.
"I would rather fall into your hands without doing this evil than sin against God."
The two judges carried out their threat.
Because they were respected, everyone believed them.
Susanna was arrested, put on trial, and sentenced to death.
Social media would have already judged her.
The headlines would have called her guilty.
The public would have moved on.
But as she was being led away to die, Susanna cried out to God.
Then a young man named Daniel stood up and said the case should be heard again.
He separated the two witnesses and asked each of them one simple question:
"Under what tree did you see the woman with the young man?"
One judge named one kind of tree.
The other named a different one.
Their lies collapsed instantly.
Susanna was declared innocent.
The two corrupt judges received the very punishment they had planned for her.
This is not today's news.
This is the Book of Susanna, a remarkable story found in the Catholic and Orthodox versions of the Book of Daniel.
It reminds us that:
- Not every accusation is true.
- Not every respected person is trustworthy.
- Justice requires evidence, not assumptions.
- Truth may be delayed, but it can still prevail.
Before you believe the next accusation you read online, remember Susanna.
Sometimes, all it takes to expose a lie is asking the right question.
Have you ever read the Book of Susanna before?