Daniel 13:7-14. Two elders were individually giving in to lustful thoughts and actions regarding Susanna. They would watch her walk in her husband's garden every day. They each became "overwhelmed with passion for her" but were too ashamed to tell the other their thoughts. One day, however, they decided to go home for lunch but instead each doubled back to continue ogling Susanna. When they met each other again they each confessed their lust. Then they began plotting a way to get Susanna alone.

Each of these men was guilty of lustful thoughts and of spying on Susanna on his own. If each had been in touch with his own conscience, he could have nipped this problem in the bud before it became what it eventually became. These were educated men, they knew the law and the faith, they knew what they were doing and thinking was wrong. But they kept going and they kept feeding their lust. Feeding our sin always makes it worse. When they eventually confessed their lust to each other, then, rather than being appalled with the other's behavior and offering mercy and guidance back to good behavior, they realized that they were guilty of the same thing, and found in each other a fellow sinner, a co-conspirator against Susan's honor. This is how terrible things happen, and terrible things did happen. Both of these men ended up dead because of this indulgence of their sin, in addition, an innocent woman was almost put to death and there was great public scandal.

How many times do people "get away" with this kind of behavior in our world? More often than not, in the earthly sense, it seems to me. There are people in power right now who I know have "gotten away" with lies and dishonesty and many people have suffered, some even died, because of it. But they are not immune from God's justice, no one is. I don't know why God's justice seems to be so long in coming right now. It is difficult to watch the poor and the oppressed suffer at the hands of the powerful and rich. But eventually, I know all will receive justice. It would have been better for the powerful, and for all of us, if they had dealt with their lust (whether for power, control, money, or whatever is in their hearts) before it got to this point.