In Chapter 4, we saw God frustrate the plans of the opposition and the work on the wall continued. In Chapter 5, another problem arises, this time though it's not an external threat but rather an internal one.
Nehemiah learns that some wealthy Jews are taking advantage of their poor neighbors by charging them high interest rates. This practice is putting undue pressure on the people to the point that some are being forced to sell their children into slavery.
The people bring their complaints to Nehemiah. Now, Nehemiah is in Jerusalem because God placed the rebuilding of the wall project on his heart, and in the process of rebuilding this wall, the people begin to trust him, and they start to look to him for leadership in other areas, too.
This may or may not be more than he bargained for but the people seem to be looking to him for help. Again, he hears of a situation that makes him angry, just like when he heard the initial report of the destruction in Jerusalem that led him to be even be here in the city. So, Nehemiah once again steps up to the challenge.
He calls a meeting, inviting the people responsible, and lets them know that he knows what they are doing and that it will stop immediately. I think this takes courage on his behalf. These people have been there longer than he, are probably in a higher position than he, and most likely more financially secure. To have the humble new guy rock the boat seems pretty brave to me. Nehemiah can stand firm and courageously because he has both truth and God on his side. Who can stand against that?
It says in verse 8, ... They kept quiet, because they could find nothing to say. There was not defense or rhetorical response because they knew for themselves what they were doing was wrong. These were learned men, they knew the law. Nothing like a public airing out to shame you into changing your ways.
Nehemiah demands them to not only stop the practice but to give back what they took as collateral. He makes them swear not to do it again and asks God to shake out any that do not keep his promise.
I find it interesting that their is no list of consequences given. It you do this...then this will happen. It's not a man made punishment Nehemiah is looking for here. He is invoking God to determine the punishment and carry it out. I don't know about you but I would be very fearful of trying to get away with doing this again.
Later, when Nehemiah is Governor, he is careful to set a good example for others in the way he behaves. It says that he didn't use his stature or position or the resources available to him as Governor to Lord it over the people or at their expense like previous Governors had done. Verse 15 says ... But out of reverence for God I did not act like that. Instead, he and his men were devoted to serving the people rather than prospering themselves.
The rebuilding of the wall is a perfect example of Nehemiah concerned for the whole of the people instead of a few. A rebuilt wall would protect and secure all the people.
Nehemiah was also generous with his resources and with his time with others. What he had was less than other governors but he shared more with the people than his predecessors. Verse 19 reads, Remember me with favor, O my God, for all I have done for these people.
Thoughts after reading this chapter:
1. Has sin in our own lives caused an internal threat to our life? Sometimes it's the enemy within that brings down the house. What might be in our hearts that is manifesting itself in outward sin that maybe we have been ignoring or naively thinking doesn't matter? It would be wise for all of us to examine our own hearts and put to death the internal enemy before it destroys us.
2. How might the actions of wealthy Christians in American or Europe be harshly affecting the poor Christians in other parts of the world? How does our sense of entitlement and our materialistic/consumption lifestyles put undue pressure on poorer Christian countries? How has our greed affected the world economy tied to our dollar or our markets? How does cutting the rain forest in South America affect the weather pattern in Africa (droughts)? Are we hurting 'our own' through our greed and consumption? Are we an internal threat in today's Jerusalem to our poorer neighbors? Would Nehemiah call us out publicly today and insist that we stop, and those who don't be shook out by God?
3. What if the greedy financial guys on wall street and the greedy politicians in Washington had to give back all of the money they lost on our behalf by their scheming? What if they had to vow before God to never do it again? You wouldn't have retirees with an empty retirement account or homeowners with no home to live in.
4. What if our elected officials followed Nehemiah's example by being a leader that works to improve the collective situation of the people versus trying to protect their own coffers or agendas? Where does our 'wall' today need to be repaired or rebuilt? What is broken in our security front that must be repaired to ensure our safety? Debt?
5. What if we were all more generous with what God has given us to use? Do we understand that what we have belongs to God and not us? The answer to that question usually determines how generous you are with your resources.
6. How might God remember us? With favor or Judgement? Nehemiah did what he did because he loved God and wanted to please him. He didn't do it because he was just a nice guy or someone with a desire to elevate himself through self-sacrifice. He truly loved the Lord and wanted to serve him. He is looking for his reward in heaven when he sits in the presence of the Lord. He wants to hear from his master that He remembered his faithfulness and is pleased with him.
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