Nehemiah 5 - 05.29.25

SCRIPTURE :Nehemiah 5:1-7 NIV

“Now [about this time] the men and their wives raised a great outcry —against their fellow Jews.

Some were saying, “We and our sons and daughters are numerous;

in order for us to eat and stay alive—we must get grain [food].”

Others were saying, “We are mortgaging our fields, our vineyards AND —our homes to get grain [food] during the famine.”

Still others were saying, “We have had to borrow money to pay the king’s tax on our fields and vineyards. Although we are of the same flesh and blood as our fellow Jews and though our children are as good as theirs, yet we have had to subject our sons and daughters to slavery. Some of our daughters have already been enslaved, but we are powerless, because our fields and our vineyards belong to others.”

When I heard their outcry and these charges—I was very angry.

I pondered them in my mind—and—then accused the nobles and officials.

I told them, “You are charging your OWN people interest!”

So I called together a large meeting to deal with them”

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OBSERVATION

As the rebuilding of the wall was taking place, the external pressures and additional

threats of attack had posed such a danger, that precautionary measures necessitated everyone to pull double duty.

“I also told everyone living outside the walls to stay in Jerusalem. That way they and their servants could help with guard duty at night and work during the day. During this time, none of us—not I, nor my relatives, nor my servants, nor the guards who were with me—ever took off our clothes. We carried our weapons with us at all times, even when we went for water.” (Nehemiah‬ ‭4‬:‭22‬-‭23‬ ‭NLT‬‬)

However—Nehemiah soon found out, it was not just the physical city with its wall that needed desperate attention. There was a Far Greater issue about to unfold—just as the walls were being constructed—the people were breaking apart at the seams.

Food was scarce, bills were piling up, taxes were through the roof, many were forced into borrowing money on their fields—which they now couldn’t pay back. This caused an additional issue—their children now were being sold as slaves since they had no means to pay the money back that they had borrowed.

AND—Their own people were charging excessive taxes which was against God’s Law.

APPLICATION

Lead The Change

The wealthy Jewish landowners were using this time as an opportunity to levy extreme interest rates on the amount of money that was being borrowed. Something that is strictly forbidden by God’s Law.

As a result the Jewish community was suffering and cried out to Nehemiah for help.

Nehemiah immediately responded by calling a meeting with the Nobles and Officials who were being accused.

“When I heard their complaints, I was very angry. Then I pressed further, “What you are doing is not right! Should you not walk in the fear of our God in order to avoid being mocked by enemy nations?”

‭‭(Nehemiah‬ ‭5‬:‭6‬, ‭9‬ ‭NLT‬)

What these Men were doing was clearly against God’s Law. No Jewish person is ever supposed to charge another Jewish person interest when loaning money to someone in need.

““If you lend money to any one of My people with you who is poor, you shall not act as a creditor (professional moneylender) to him; you shall not charge him interest.”

‭‭(Exodus‬ ‭22‬:‭25‬ ‭AMP‬‬)

When Nehemiah reminded these men of God’s word, they were immediately convicted and promised to give back everything that they had taken.

We also learn that Nehemiah had been setting an example all along.

As a Governor he was entitled to a monthly salary and a food allowance. But he states that he fears God..so he chose to not accept these allowances.

Rather he paid out of his pocket for the expenses that were required for the upkeep and entertaining AND he rolled up his sleeves and worked alongside everyone at the wall.

It only took ONE Leader, Nehemiah, to remind them, that what they were doing was not just against each other…but against God.

Nehemiah’s words quickly and sharply convicted them…because the words were God’s Truth.

Nehemiah is such a great example of Leadership.

Nehemiah is a man who is more concerned with Fearing God than what People think.

Nehemiah understands, like Jesus, that leaders have a heart of service.

Nehemiah is on the frontline, demonstrating his trust in God throughout the process.

Nehemiah’s desire is for the people to honor and glorify God-putting Him first above everything else in their lives.

PRAYER

LORD Jesus,

Thank YOU for giving us the book Nehemiah. More and More I see how powerfully YOU are able to work through ONE person who is willing. The people were moving in the wrong direction—but ONE person reminded them of YOUR Word. Help me to be a woman of YOUR Word. Lord Jesus Teach me. I want everything YOU have for me. Quiet me before You Today. Plant Your Word deep in my heart. Fill me fresh with Your Spirit today.

In Jesus Name. Amen.

Tina L Kudelka