The complation
of Book of Danial16
Thursday, August 17, 2006
people
hurried back to listen to Daniel who ordered that the witnesses be separated
and examined individually. He asked each of them “Under what tree did you see
them being intimate with each other?” (54). One answered “under a mastic tree”
but the other said “under an evergreen oak”. It was then obvious that they were
falsely accusing Susanna and in accordance with the Law of Moses, they were put
to death. Innocent blood was spared.
A woman once claimed that Saint Marcarius was the
father of her yet to he born child. She could not
give birth until she admitted that Saint Marcarius
was innocent. Saint Marina while living as a monk in a monastery was accused of
committing a similar sin. She was forced to leave the monastery but was allowed
back in with the child after spending several days and nights outside the
monastery gates. The monks found ant that Saint Marina was a woman after her
death.
Contemplations on the Story of Susanna:
Uilkiah whose name means “Jehovah is my share” was a
high priest at the time of King Josiah. One day the king asked him to clean the
house of the Lord, while doing this he found the Book of the LawS Hilkiah was the brother of
the prophet Jeremiah.
Susanna was an honest, beautiful and pure woman who feared God, She is a
shining example of the verse “Who can find a virtuous wife? For her worth is
far above rubies.” (Proverbs 31:10). Her Parents were righteous, and had raised
their daughter according to the Law of Moses. This shows the importance of a
healthy relationship between parents and children, where parents need to be a
living example of the principles they teach their children. This is also
emphasised by Saint Paul in his second letter to Timothy (2 Timothy 1:5) “When
I call to remembrance the genuine faith that is in you, which dwelt first in
your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice and I am persuaded is in you
also.”
Joakim whose name means “the Lord raises
up” was very rich and had a flue garden adjoining his house. The Jews used to caine to him because he was the most honoured of them all.”
(3,4), The garden adjoining his house was the meeting
place for all the Jews. The fact that the Jews were able to conduct such
meetings in captivity is an indication of the kindness of Nebuchadnezzar to
them.
Two elders from the people were appointed judges. Concerning them the Lord had
said: “Wickedness came forth from Babylon, from elders who were judges, who
were supposed to govern the people.” (5) God was very patient with them despite
their dishonesty and deceitfulness. They may be described by the verse in
Proverbs 17:23: “A wicked man accepts a bribe behind the back to prevent the
ways of justice”. Biblical advice for judges can he found in Psalm 2:10, “Be
instructed you judges.”
Susanna synibolises the church, Joakim
- Christ, the garden the prayers
