SCRIPTURE: NEHEMIAH 5
NEHEMIAH HELP THE POOR (vs. 1-19)
The Jews raised a great outcry against their Jewish brothers. Some borrowed money to buy grains, other borrowed money to pay king’s taxes in their fields and vineyard. The nobles and officials were exacting usury from them so that some had to subject their sons and daughters to slavery.
So, Nehemiah called them together to a large meeting. He told the nobles and officials to stop the exacting of usury and give back to them their fields, vineyards, olive groves and houses. They all agreed, so Nehemiah summoned the priests and made the noble and officials take an oath to do what they had promised. The whole assembly said “Amen” and praise the Lord.
When Nehemiah was appointed as governor of Judah for 12 years, he never placed a heavy burden on the people. Those preceding him took 40 shekels of silver from the people in addition to food and wine. But Nehemiah never demanded them food allotted to the governor nor acquired any land. Instead, he allowed 150 Jews and officials to eat at his table. He had devoted himself to the work of wall building by involving himself on day to day work. He asked God to remember him favor for what he had done for the people.
THOUGHTS:
The wealthier Jews took advantage of the famine and economic crisis to exploit their own people. So the enemy attacked from inside the nation. Nehemiah had to abolish the selfish and greed among his people.
HOW DID NEHEMIAH RESPONDED TO THEIR CRISES:
- Anger – He was angry for their greed and selfishness.
- Deliberation – He called on a meeting to exercise leadership.
- Resolution – He appealed to the Jews to love their brothers and their devotion to the Word of God. He reminded them of the fear of God and their witness to the enemy.
- Example – He set an example of unselfishness and sacrifice by helping the people generously and did not take advantage of his position as a governor.
Nehemiah told the rich to stop charging high interest on their loan to their needy brothers. God teaches us that caring for one another is more important than personal gain. We should help needy believers and not exploit them. Proverbs 28:27 “Whoever gives to the poor will lack nothing”.