Shalom sisters!!! Thank yall so much for being patience with ya sister.. I pray it is worth the wait đĽ°
đ˘So we left off with me asking..why was these two men always at Susanna's home? Personally I believe they were stalking Susanna.. lurking.. remember how satan does? Scoping the scene before they make a move.. Becuase if they were genuinely good Elders, brothers..we wouldn't be reading this..
đĄ Here we see how Susanna girded herself..Note: while these two elders was always over there.. I don't think she kept in the presence of her husband's company which probably enticed them more.. ok Let's dive in:
âĽď¸ Book of Susanna 1:7- 12 Now when the people departed away at noon, Susanna went into her husband's garden to walk. And the two elders saw her going in every day, and walking; so that their lust was inflamed toward her. And they perverted their own mind, and turned away their eyes, that they might not look unto heaven, nor remember just judgments. And albeit they both were wounded with her love, yet durst not one shew another his grief. For they were ashamed to declare their lust, that they desired to have to do with her.Yet they watched diligently from day to day to see her.
đŻNow, this is a women's study, I know but I am going somewhere here: Matthew 5:27-28 Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not commit adultery: But I say unto you, That WHOSOEVER LOOKETH on a woman to LUST after her đđžhath committed adultery with her already in his heart..
đľđžââď¸Notice how it does not say she saw them lusting after her. Sis Susanna was in her home, minding her business according to 1 Thessalonians 4:11, Proverbs 31:27 She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness...] I am sure she was taking care of home... In that scripture we see those men had ill intent unbeknownst to her .. Let's keep going: verse 13- 23And the one said to the other, Let us now go home: for it is dinner time. So when they were gone out, they parted the one from the other, and turning back again they came to the same place; and after that they had asked one another the cause, they acknowledged their lust: then appointed they a time both together, when they might find her alone. And it fell out, as they watched a fit time, she went in as before with two maids only, and she was desirous to wash herself in the garden: for it was hot. And there was no body there save the two elders, that had hid themselves, and watched her. Then she said to her maids, Bring me oil and washing balls, and SHUT the garden doors, that I may wash me. And they did as she bade them, and shut the garden doors, and went out themselves at privy doors to fetch the things that she had commanded them: but THEY SAW NOT the elders, BECAUSE they WERE HID. Now when the maids were gone forth, the two elders rose up, and ran unto her, saying, [pay attention to this part sisters] BEHOLD, the garden doors are shut, that no man can see us, and we are in love with thee; therefore consent unto us, and lie with us. If thou wilt not, we will bear witness against thee, that a young man was with thee: and therefore thou didst send away thy maids from thee. Then Susanna sighed, and said, I am straitened on every side: for if I do this thing, it is death unto me: and if I do it not I cannot escape your hands. It is better for me to fall into your hands, and not do it, than to sin in the sight of the Lord.
đ§đž Susanna acted RIGHTEOUSLY in her actions: 1 Timothy 2:9 she told the maids shut the door cuz nobody needs to see her naked except her husband..not even the maids! She did her part to be sure not to uncover her nakedness. HOWEVER..once they hid themselves to see her, as they planned to do.. they were in direct violation of Torah and yall Know The Most High was gonna deal with them: Leviticus 18:16 Thou SHALT NOT UNCOVER the nakedness of thy brother's wife: it is thy brother's nakedness.
Not to dig too deep.. but does anyone know why that's in Torah??
đđžHere's where we getting to the potatoes of this sister fearlessness!! I love it!!! Sis Susanna was propositioned to lie with these two men cuz they were in love with her [how sick!!!] .. they threatened to bear FALSE WITNESS [another no no: Exodus 20:16 KJV: Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour.. So they already was like listen either succumb to our demand or we fixna ruin your reputation and your husband's good name.. Let's pause!!
âď¸Now that's in itself was something.. [Proverbs 22:1-2, Ecclesiastes 7:1] especially in those times, all you had was your name..what you stand for.. what u believed in.. your morals.. AND women really didnt have a say like we have now.. AND unfortunately in some countries today, if a renown man of stature, one of great status says u did xyz.. u did xyz. And punishment was rendered. So that's why they blatantly told her either do this or we will ruin ur good name...
đ¤ˇđžââď¸Sis Susanna ain't think about it, she and miss a beat she basically told them listen.. what u will do to me will immediately sentence me to death [Lev 20:10].. and I will receive FAR worse punishment than u bearing false witness on me..verses what The Most High will do.. so tell whatever you have to.. I ain't going..I refuse to sin in the sight of my FATHER. #Period.. Just like that! Now keep in mind, these were no ordinary elders..these were also judges.. so imagine her courage to stand up to them.. she told them do as u please, I will be RIGHTEOUS and blameless in the sight of The Most High and I'm sure her husband as well. It doesnt mention that but I am sure she thought of him as well..Because whether u want to believe it or not..we also have to abide by the rules of our husbands..the only time we are to choose otherwise is if he will cause u to sin. James 4:17  Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin. (But ur RIGHTEOUS hubby won't steer you wrong..he has one job and a head he has to answer to if he tries it!!)
đđžââď¸ Susanna remained focused on allowing The Most High to fight her battles..cuz its TORAH!!! Exodus14:14 The Lord shall fight for you, and ye shall hold your peace.. she knew she was in HIS sight and according to scripture: VENGEANCE belongs to HIM!! So while she will have to deal with the worldly consequences of saying no to their advances and be ridiculed, called whorish names, labeled an adulterous woman..she chose to accept persecution and..ENDURE wholeheartedly while waiting on The Most High's RIGHTEOUS judgment. NOW.. what would you have done or did when you were in this boat? And it maybe was this situation OR another compromising position someone tried to put you in..for instance let's say u starving, and all there is a piece of ham.. or everybody doing easter..but u miss ur family.. or whatever it is contrary to the LAW.. #WWYD sis??? Will you hold or fold??
đđžMatthew 5:10Â -Â Blessed [are] they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven
Up next đŹ Act 3: Susanna Facts over Folly- Stick to the script!