June 14, 2023

Nehemiah 5:1-19 (HCSB)
Social Injustice 
5 There was a widespread outcry from the people and their wives against their Jewish countrymen. 2 Some were saying, “We, our sons, and our daughters are numerous. Let us get grain so that we can eat and live.” 3 Others were saying, “We are mortgaging our fields, vineyards, and homes to get grain during the famine.”  4 Still others were saying, “We have borrowed money to pay the king’s tax  on our fields and vineyards.  5 We and our children are just like our countrymen and their children, yet we are subjecting our sons and daughters to slavery.  Some of our daughters are already enslaved,  but we are powerless  because our fields and vineyards belong to others.” 6 I became extremely angry  when I heard their outcry and these complaints. 7 After seriously considering the matter, I accused the nobles and officials, saying to them, “Each of you is charging his countrymen interest.”  So I called a large assembly against them 8 and said, “We have done our best to buy back our Jewish countrymen who were sold to foreigners, but now you sell your own countrymen, and we have to buy them back.”  They remained silent and could not say a word.  9 Then I said, “What you are doing isn’t right. Shouldn’t you walk in the fear of our God  and not invite the reproach of our foreign enemies?  10 Even I, as well as my brothers and my servants, have been lending them money and grain. Please, let us stop charging this interest.  11 Return their fields, vineyards, olive groves, and houses to them immediately, along with the percentage  of the money, grain, new wine, and olive oil  that you have been assessing them.” 12 They responded: “We will return these things and require nothing more from them.  We will do as you say.” So I summoned the priests and made everyone take an oath  to do this. 13 I also shook the folds of my robe and said, “May God likewise shake from his house and property everyone who doesn’t keep this promise. May he be shaken out  and have nothing!” The whole assembly said, “Amen,” and they praised the Lord. Then the people did as they had promised. Good and Bad Governors 14 Furthermore, from the day King Artaxerxes  appointed me to be their governor in the land of Judah—from the twentieth year until his thirty-second year, 12 years —I and my associates never ate from the food allotted to the governor. 15 The governors  who preceded me had heavily burdened the people, taking food and wine from them, as well as a pound  of silver. Their subordinates also oppressed the people, but I didn’t do this, because of the fear of God.  16 Instead, I devoted myself to the construction of the wall,  and all my subordinates were gathered there for the work. We didn’t buy any land. 17 There were 150 Jews and officials, as well as guests from the surrounding nations at my table.  18 Each  day, one ox, six choice sheep, and some fowl were prepared for me. An abundance of all kinds of wine was provided every 10 days.  But I didn’t demand the food allotted to the governor, because the burden on the people was so heavy. 19 Remember me favorably, my God, for all that I have done for this people.

Casey Morton
In chapter 5, the people are dealing with numerous issues. There is a shortage of food; many had to mortgage their properties to buy food (which was already in shortage), there were heavy taxes and some even had to sell their children into slavery to cover their debts, with no sign of relief. Nehemiah became very angry with the nobles and rulers but did what we often don’t do. He took time. One translation says he consulted with himself, meaning he didn’t “fly off the handle” but took some time to cool off, prayed and sought God for an answer. He then confronted the rulers directly saying they needed to return property, children and any money they had been assessing them. The key is Nehemiah went to them and said this needed to stop NOW. This is a great example of how to deal with sin. Just determine to stop it immediately!!