[:en]SCRIPTURE: NEHEMIAH 5
“I and my brothers and my men are also lending the people money and grain. But let the exacting of usury stop!” (Nehemiah 5:10)
NEHEMIAH HELPS THE POOR (vs. 1-19)
There was a great outcry among the poor Jewish brothers. Some had mortgaged their fields and vineyards and homes to get grain. Others had to borrow money to pay the king’s tax on their fields and vineyards. And some of their sons and daughters had to subject to slavery because their field and vineyard belong to others. Upon hearing their outcry, how did Nehemiah respond?
- He was very angry. He pondered them in his mind and then accused the nobles and officials of exacting usury from their own countrymen (v. 7)
- He rebuked them and reminded them to walk in the fear of God to avoid the reproach of their Gentile enemies (v. 9)
- He told them to give back their field, vineyards, olive groves and house, and also the usury that they were charging (v. 11)
- He appealed to his own good example. As a governor, he did not take advantage of his position to enrich himself. Instead, he helped the people with a generous heart (vs. 14-18)
The whole assemble vowed to obey the Word. They said “AMEN” and praised the Lord and did as they promised.
SUMMARY:
A good leader must have a righteous anger against sin. Aristotle said: “It is easy to fly into a passion – anybody can do that – but to be angry with the right person, to the right extent and at the right time with the right object and in the right way – that is not easy and it is not everyone who can do it”.
A good leader must seek God’s wisdom to exercise leadership. He must be resolute in his decision to rectify wrongs. He must also be unselfish and sacrificial in order to serve as a good example for people to follow.[:]