Nehemiah 5

Introduction

The out cry vs. 1-5

Notice first the outcry vs. 1

It wasn’t an outcry of the jews vs the people of the land or even the people of the land vs. the jews. It wan an outcry of the Jews against their brethren.

For some context into this section of Nehemiah 5 we must look back at Deuteronomy 23:19–20 “Thou shalt not lend upon usury to thy brother; usury of money, usury of victuals, usury of any thing that is lent upon usury: Unto a stranger thou mayest lend upon usury; but unto thy brother thou shalt not lend upon usury: that the Lord thy God may bless thee in all that thou settest thine hand to in the land whither thou goest to possess it.”

Usury means interest, so the law basically stated you shouldn’t charge your brother interest in money, food, land and really anything you could interest, but you can charge a stranger or someone who isn’t a jew interest. If you do this the right way the Lord will bless everything you do in the land.

Then we notice the reason for the outcry vs. 2-5

They tell Nehemiah, we have lots of sons and daughters and we need corn so that we can eat.

They likely had neglected their field due to their total concentration on rebuilding the wall.

While their fields sat unworked they had to find a way to buy food. It seems like they allowed others to work their field in exchange for grain. This is what verse 3 seems to be talking about when it says we have mortgaged our lands, vineyards and houses to buy corn, because of the dearth or scarcity in the land

While the work in the field hadn’t been done, that didn’t stop the king from continuing to charge taxes vs. 4

They hadn’t worked the field, so they hadn’t made any money, therefore they had to borrow money to pay the taxes that they owed

Things had gotten so bad they had to sell their kids into bondage and had no money to redeem them or buy them back, because other men owned their fields.

One commentary said this “The Jewish people of wealth are primarily concerned with themselves here. They are not thinking about the effect their financial dealings have on the ability of the poor to feed themselves, care for the children, or devote themselves to the work of the wall.

Because of how money was being handled the work on the wall was in jeopardy. They had to choose to work on the wall or tend to their fields so they could feed their children and pay their taxes.

Nehemiahs Address vs. 6-13

Notice at first he was very angry

I’m sure Nehemiah was taking everything into consideration

He was facing opposition from every side and now there were Jews taking advantage of Jews. He was angry with a righteous anger

The first part of verse 7 tells us that while he was very angry he consulted literally means he took counsel with himself. Before he went into the nobles he got control of himself

He rebuked the nobles and rulers

He rebuked them for charging their brothers interest

They were breaking the Torah by doing this

Ex 22:12-27.

Lev. 25:35-54.

Deut. 23:19-20.

He told them that they had done what they could to buy back their brothers (fellow Jews) and now they are selling their brethren.

Notice they had nothing to say…

It is impossible to argue against the word of God, once nehemiah composed himself and went to the nobles and the rulers, he used the Torah to get them to understand what they were doing is wrong.

He continues by telling them what they are doing isn’t good

They should fear or reverence God enough to stop what they were doing.

By doing what they were doing they were inviting the reproach of their enemies.

Nehemiah was setting the example

He, his servants and his brethren were lending them money and corn and not charging interest and now he was asking the nobles and rulers to do the same

In verse 11, he calls for them to return the interest they had charged on things that broke the covenant.

One commentary said this “ Apart from the knowledge of Yahweh, and apart from the covenant between Him and Israel, their is no basis for the moral indignation Nehemiah had, no moral authority for the appeal, and no moral direction for instruction.

They had broken Gods law and had slowed down the rebuilding of the wall by doing so, Nehemiah, a layman, had to right the ship

In verse 12 we see their response to Nehemiah

They agreed to give back everything that they had taken and require no more interest on what they were giving them

Nehemiah went and got the priest so that they could take an oath that they would keep their promise.

In verse 13 we see the result of not keeping their promise

There house would be emptied and their labor would be empty.

All the congregation said Amen which is an agreement to what is being said

And then they praised the Lord.

They all kept their promise.

Nehemiahs Godly Example vs.14-19

During Nehemiahs first 12 year term and then again during his second term in office he never once used his privileges to build his own kingdom, but rather to help those in need.

In that day most officials excercised authority in order to promote themselves and to protect their personal interests, but Nehemiah was different,

Nehemiah could have used his expense account for personal expenses but instead used it to build the wall.

He didn’t tax the people in order to have something to eat, they payed for it out of their own pocket

Nehemiah was a great example to the people

D.L Moody said this “A holy life will produce the deepest impression. Lighthouses blow no horns; they only shine”

They paid their own bills and were careful not to exploit the people in any way. vs. 15

The servants of previous governors had use their position for personal gain, taking bribes from the people and promising to represent them before the governor.

He set the example by working vs. 16

Leaders must lead by example!

They weren’t supervisors, they were leaders in the work

He also took care of people vs 17

he regularly fed 150 people

The food mentioned in verse 18 is estimated to be able to feed over 500 people, therefore Nehemiah was always caring for others.

I think the most important thing Nehemiah did though is he pleased the Lord!

Notice verse 19, he didn’t pray that the people would talk about how great he was but rather that God would bless him for blessing people.

Conclusion

Problems arise at every corner as Nehemiah is rebuilding the wall, but here its the brethren taking advantage of the brethren, I’ll close with this psalm

Psalm 133 “Behold, how good and how pleasant it is For brethren to dwell together in unity! It is like the precious ointment upon the head, That ran down upon the beard, even Aaron’s beard: That went down to the skirts of his garments; As the dew of Hermon, and as the dew that descended upon the mountains of Zion: For there the Lord commanded the blessing, Even life for evermore.”

Lets strive to be a helper and not a hinderer in the work of the Lord