Additional Offerings E. Apocryphal Books: Susanna

Apocryphal Books.  Identify the book, summarize its content, and evaluate the book’s value to Christian readers (particularly to Protestants who generally do not read Apocrypha). 

In the book of Susanna, the wealthy man Joacim has a wife by the name of Susanna.  Susanna was pure in heart and feared the Lord since childhood.  She was very beautiful and was lusted after by two elders that were staying in her husband's welcoming home.  The elders, seeing both "their lust was inflamed" towards Susanna (1.8), devised a plan to force her to sleep with them; threatening, "witness against thee, that a young man was with the (1.21)" if she did not lie with them.  Susanna contemplated the concequenses, and chose not to "sin in the sight of the Lord (1.23)."  Carrying out their plan, the elders gathered the town and tried to prove Susanna an adultress, a sentence of death.   The elders thought they had succeeded.  However, God "raised up the holy spirit" of Daniel  to speak in favor of Susanna (1.45).  Daniel devised a plan and "convicted them of false witness by their own mouth (1.61)." Susanna was saved! and Daniel beheld a "great reputation."

I feel this is a very influential book towards Christians and Protestants.  The act of abused authority and false convictions is becoming increasingly common.  Therefore, this story provides strength and comfort to the pressured individuals to know that God will hear their cry and deliver them from evil.  If we continue to trust in the Lord, not compromising our faith, then God will show us mercy.  I do not know if there is a similar story in the Protestant Bible already, but I feel this would make a wise addition.  It will not jeapordize God's character because God aided Susanna instead of letting the corrupt elders get away with their crime.  

The effect on Protestants who have not read this book might be the cause of so many young girls and boys not telling any one when they were sexually abused.  The girls or boys do not have the knowledge that someone will always be on their side, just as Daniel advocated Susanna's innocence.   This lesson should be taught in Sunday School to allow the younger generations to know it is okay to cry out for help as Susanna did to the Lord.