Nehemiah
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NEHEMIAH 5
(1) And there was a great cry of the people and of their wives against their brethren the Jews.
Now the opposition was coming from within. The rich had oppressed the poor Jews.
(2-3) 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. Some also there were that said, We have mortgaged our lands, vineyards, and houses, that we might buy corn, because of the dearth.
Because the Jews were so busy rebuilding the walls,They had sacrificed their time and neglected their personal businesses . They borrowed money to help pay for the cost of rebuilding the walls.They mortgaged their lands , vineyards, and houses to pay for rebuilding the walls.
(4) There were also that said, We have borrowed money for the king's tribute, and that upon our lands and vineyards.
They mortgaged their lands , vineyards, and houses to pay for the taxes.
(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.
Because of their debt, their sons and daughter were forced into bondage to be servants. Neither do they have the power to redeem them. Other people had their lands and vineyards.
(6-7) And I was very angry when I heard their cry and these words. 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.
Nehemiah rebuked the wealthy nobles and the rulers who allow their brethren the Jews to be sold unto the pagans.
(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. (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?
Nehemiah knew that if there was abuse within among the Jews, no matter high the Jerusalem walls were built , it would still be unsafe. It was not good that they sold their brethren to bondage. If you walk in fear of God, you will not lust after worldly gain.
(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. (11) Restore, I pray you, to them, even this day, their lands, their vineyards, their oliveyards, and their houses, also the the hundredth part of the money, and of the corn, the wine, and the oil, that ye exact of them. (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.
They promised to restore them. Good promises are good, but fulfilment of the promises are better. Nehemiah let God deal with them. They took an oath before the Lord. If they don’t perform their promise, God will deal harshly with them.
(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. (14-15) 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. 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.
The former governors before Nehemiah received Their salaries, but Nehemiah did not take his wages as the governor. Nehemiah served his Lord God when he worked unselfishly as the governor. He chose not to accept a salary.
(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.
Nehemiah’s main purpose was to rebuild the wall. He was not distracted from his work. He continued In the work of the wall. Nehemiah stayed out of the land speculation business. Neither did they bought any land. Nehemiah did not misuse his servants. All his servants were gathered unto the work of rebuilding the wall. Nehemiah used his servants only for the purpose of rebuilding the wall.
(17-18) 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. 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.
Nehemiah regularly entertained one hundred fifty table guests. He also entertained the Jews from among the surrounding heathen countries. Nehemiah did all this at his own expense. Nehemiah did not demand the governor’s wage because he did not want to be a burden unto his people. The bondage was already too heavy upon the hard working people.Nehemiah had the right to draw a salary, he chose not to accept a salary.
(19) Think upon me, my God, for good, according to all that I have done for this people.
Nehemiah knew the hearts of the people . They had short memories. They would forget him. Nehemiah asked God to remember him. God does not remember our sins because we have our Lord Christ Jesus as our Saviour.But will always remember our good works.
Nehemiah
chapter 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13