Don't Turn on One Another

The Complaint - vs. 1-5

The “outcry” in verse one is more than a complaint or criticism.

The word used in the Hebrew includes the concept of wailing, screaming, begging and pleading for relief

A great outcry, not just any outcry, but one that was remarkable in its comparison to other outcries.

The workers who were building the walls were being forced to pay usury to those who were their brothers.

They were being exploited in their time of service by those who should have been at their sides.

The situation was so severe that they were forcing the workers children into slavery.

Rather than pulling together, they were breaking apart

The Offense - vs. 6-10

Nehemiah was angry.

We have seen him sorrowful at the news of Jerusalem

We have seen him sad in the presence of the King

We have seen him resolute in the face of his enemies

Now, Nehemiah is angry at the actions of his own people.

Nehemiah named the issue

Exodus 22:25 NASB95

“If you lend money to My people, to the poor among you, you are not to act as a creditor to him; you shall not charge him interest.

Exodus 25:36 NASB95

“Their bulbs and their branches shall be of one piece with it; all of it shall be one piece of hammered work of pure gold.

Leviticus 25:36 NASB95

‘Do not take usurious interest from him, but revere your God, that your countryman may live with you.

Deuteronomy 23:19–20 NASB95

“You shall not charge interest to your countrymen: interest on money, food, or anything that may be loaned at interest. “You may charge interest to a foreigner, but to your countrymen you shall not charge interest, so that the Lord your God may bless you in all that you undertake in the land which you are about to enter to possess.

Nehemiah judged the issue

Nehemiah set the example

The Resolution - vs. 11-12a

Give them back their stuff!

Stop taking advantage of one another

Remember that you are all part of one another

Stop charging them usury

The Response - vs. 12b-13

He made the issue a matter of public record

There was to be no disputing later what was agreed upon in this moment.

The end of 13 is the beautiful part of the story.

Everyone praised the Lord and moved on!