The complation of Book of Danial17

Thursday, August 17, 2006

of the saints who are the fruit bearing trees in the church, Babylon - the world and the two judges resemble people fighting the Church whether Jews or Gentiles.
The two elderly judges were prepared to abuse their power and judge Susanna unjustly. Jewish judges in recent years wanted to exclude verse eight because they had difficulty accepting that this could have happened in Babylon. However it seems obvious that they wanted to exclude that verse out of embarrassment of the actions of the two elderly judges.
“They suppressed their consciences and turned their eyes from looking to heaven or remembering their duty to minister justice. Both were overwhelmed with passion for her but did not tell each other for their distress.” (9,10)
Those who persecute the Church are unable to look up to heaven because they are enslaved to the ruler of this world.
Potiphar’s wife longed for Joseph and spoke to him “day by day” but” he did not heed her to lie with her or lo he with her” (Gen 39:10). Her actions did not differ from those of the two elderly judges in the story of Susanna.
Till this day, the Jews and Gentiles have been closely observing the dealings of the church, hoping to find and motivate false witnesses against the church. (Galatians 24)
One day, the two judges said to each other ‘Let us go home for it is time for lunch’“So they both left and parted from each other. But turning back, they met again; and when each pressed the other for the reason, they confessed their lust. Then together they arranged for a time when they could find her alone.” (13,14)
The confession they made to each other is symbolic of the final confession they will give before the Just Judge who will judge them according to their sins and evil thoughts.
“Once, while they were watching for an opportune day, she went in as before with only two maids, and wished to hathe in the garden, for it was a hot day. No one was there except the two elders who had hidden themselves and were watching her.” (15,16)
The opportune day symbolised the Passover (Crucifixion) where the basin was prepared for Susanna (the Church) to be cleansed by the blood of the Lamb (Christ). Susanna’s two maids may be resembled to the two elements constantly needed by the church, that is faith in Christ and love of God.