*Nehemiah 5:1-19
Nehemiah confronts wealthy Israelites who are exploiting the poor by demanding heavy repayments of loans and seizing property.
- Complaints of Oppression:
- In the midst of the rebuilding of the wall of Jerusalem, a great outcry arises among the people, as some of the Jews complain against their fellow Jews.
- The complaints center on economic oppression, with some Jews being unable to provide for their families due to high taxes, famine, and debt.
- Famine and Debt:
- The people lament that they are unable to buy grain to eat because of the famine, and they have had to borrow money to pay the king’s tax on their fields and vineyards.
- As a result, they have mortgaged their fields, vineyards, and houses to obtain grain during the famine, leading to indebtedness and the loss of their land and property.
- Nehemiah’s Response:
- Nehemiah, upon hearing the complaints of the people, becomes angry and indignant at the injustice and oppression that his fellow Jews are experiencing.
- He confronts the nobles and officials, rebuking them for taking advantage of their own people and exacting interest from their brothers, which violates the law of Moses.
- Rectification of the Situation:
- Nehemiah calls a great assembly of the people to address the issue of economic oppression and exploitation, seeking to restore justice and righteousness among them.
- He exhorts the nobles and officials to return to the people their fields, vineyards, olive groves, and houses, along with the interest they have charged them.
- The People’s Response:
- The nobles and officials agree to Nehemiah’s proposal and promise to restore what they have taken from their fellow Jews, acknowledging their wrongdoing and repenting of their actions.
- The people respond with joy and praise to the Lord, recognizing Nehemiah’s intervention as an act of God’s justice and mercy on their behalf.
- Nehemiah’s Example:
- Nehemiah sets an example of leadership and integrity by not taking the food allowance granted to governors but instead providing for himself and his servants from his own resources.
- He commits himself to the work on the wall, not seeking personal gain or advantage, but serving the people with humility and devotion.
5:1 And there was a great cry of the people and of their wives against their brethren the Jews.
5:2 For there were that said, We, our sons, and our daughters, are many: therefore we take up corn for them, that we may eat, and live.
5:3 Some also there were that said, We have mortgaged our lands, vineyards, and houses, that we might buy corn, because of the dearth.
5:4 There were also that said, We have borrowed money for the king’s tribute, and that upon our lands and vineyards.
5:5 Yet now our flesh is as the flesh of our brethren, our children as their children: and, lo, we bring into bondage our sons and our daughters to be servants, and some of our daughters are brought unto bondage already: neither is it in our power to redeem them; for other men have our lands and vineyards.
5:6 And I was very angry when I heard their cry and these words.
5:7 Then I consulted with myself, and I rebuked the nobles, and the rulers, and said unto them, Ye exact usury, every one of his brother. And I set a great assembly against them.
5:8 And I said unto them, We after our ability have redeemed our brethren the Jews, which were sold unto the heathen; and will ye even sell your brethren? or shall they be sold unto us? Then held they their peace, and found nothing to answer.
5:9 Also I said, It is not good that ye do: ought ye not to walk in the fear of our God because of the reproach of the heathen our enemies? 5:10 I likewise, and my brethren, and my servants, might exact of them money and corn: I pray you, let us leave off this usury.
5:11 Restore, I pray you, to them, even this day, their lands, their vineyards, their oliveyards, and their houses, also the hundredth part of the money, and of the corn, the wine, and the oil, that ye exact of them.
5:12 Then said they, We will restore them, and will require nothing of them; so will we do as thou sayest. Then I called the priests, and took an oath of them, that they should do according to this promise.
5:13 Also I shook my lap, and said, So God shake out every man from his house, and from his labour, that performeth not this promise, even thus be he shaken out, and emptied. And all the congregation said, Amen, and praised the LORD. And the people did according to this promise.
5:14 Moreover from the time that I was appointed to be their governor in the land of Judah, from the twentieth year even unto the two and thirtieth year of Artaxerxes the king, that is, twelve years, I and my brethren have not eaten the bread of the governor.
5:15 But the former governors that had been before me were chargeable unto the people, and had taken of them bread and wine, beside forty shekels of silver; yea, even their servants bare rule over the people: but so did not I, because of the fear of God.
5:16 Yea, also I continued in the work of this wall, neither bought we any land: and all my servants were gathered thither unto the work.
5:17 Moreover there were at my table an hundred and fifty of the Jews and rulers, beside those that came unto us from among the heathen that are about us.
5:18 Now that which was prepared for me daily was one ox and six choice sheep; also fowls were prepared for me, and once in ten days store of all sorts of wine: yet for all this required not I the bread of the governor, because the bondage was heavy upon this people.
5:19 Think upon me, my God, for good, according to all that I have done for this people.