1 Now there arose a great outcry of the people and of their wives against their Jewish brothers. 2 For there were those who said, “With our sons and our daughters, we are many. So let us get grain, that we may eat and keep alive.” 3 There were also those who said, “We are mortgaging our fields, our vineyards, and our houses to get grain because of the famine.” 4 And there were those who said, “We have borrowed money for the king’s tax on our fields and our vineyards. 5 Now our flesh is as the flesh of our brothers, our children are as their children. Yet we are forcing our sons and our daughters to be slaves, and some of our daughters have already been enslaved, but it is not in our power to help it, for other men have our fields and our vineyards.” 6 I was very angry when I heard their outcry and these words. 7 I took counsel with myself, and I brought charges against the nobles and the officials. I said to them, “You are exacting interest, each from his brother.” And I held a great assembly against them 8 and said to them, “We, as far as we are able, have bought back our Jewish brothers who have been sold to the nations, but you even sell your brothers that they may be sold to us!” They were silent and could not find a word to say. 9 So I said, “The thing that you are doing is not good. Ought you not to walk in the fear of our God to prevent the taunts of the nations our enemies? 10 Moreover, I and my brothers and my servants are lending them money and grain. Let us abandon this exacting of interest. 11 Return to them this very day their fields, their vineyards, their olive orchards, and their houses, and the percentage of money, grain, wine, and oil that you have been exacting from them.” 12 Then they said, “We will restore these and require nothing from them. We will do as you say.” And I called the priests and made them swear to do as they had promised. 13 I also shook out the fold of my garment and said, “So may God shake out every man from his house and from his labor who does not keep this promise. So may he be shaken out and emptied.” And all the assembly said “Amen” and praised the LORD. And the people did as they had promised. 14 Moreover, from the time that I was appointed to be their governor in the land of Judah, from the twentieth year to the thirty-second year of Artaxerxes the king, twelve years, neither I nor my brothers ate the food allowance of the governor. 15 The former governors who were before me laid heavy burdens on the people and took from them for their daily ration forty shekels of silver. Even their servants lorded it over the people. But I did not do so, because of the fear of God. 16 I also persevered in the work on this wall, and we acquired no land, and all my servants were gathered there for the work. 17 Moreover, there were at my table 150 men, Jews and officials, besides those who came to us from the nations that were around us. 18 Now what was prepared at my expense for each day was one ox and six choice sheep and birds, and every ten days all kinds of wine in abundance. Yet for all this I did not demand the food allowance of the governor, because the service was too heavy on this people. 19 Remember for my good, O my God, all that I have done for this people. —Nehemiah 5
Intro: William Gurnall wrote “We fear men so much because we fear God so little.”
Big Idea: Fear of God leads to
1. Know: Self-interest leads to injustice (Nehemiah 5:1-5)
- a. Economic hardship created an outcry (v.1-3)
b. The internal strife stemmed from self-interest and exploitation. (v.4-5, Exodus 22:25)
“If you lend money to any of my people with you who is poor, you shall not be like a moneylender to him, and you shall not exact interest from him. —Exodus 22:25
c. Some failed to prioritize God’s work and the well-being of their brethren.
We must put
2. Think: Three questions
a. Do I fear God? (Deut 10:12, 20-21; Proverbs 1:7; Isaiah 33:6)
12 “And now, Israel, what does the LORD your God require of you, but to fear the LORD your God, to walk in all his ways, to love him, to serve the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul, … 20 You shall fear the LORD your God. You shall serve him and hold fast to him, and by his name you shall swear. 21 He is your praise. He is your God, who has done for you these great and terrifying things that your eyes have seen. —Deuteronomy 10:12, 20-21
The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction. —Proverbs 1:7
and he will be the stability of your times, abundance of salvation, wisdom, and knowledge; the fear of the LORD is Zion’s treasure. —Isaiah 33:6
b. Do I understand God’s heart for justice? (Exodus 22:25; Psalm 89:14; Proverbs 29:7)
“If you lend money to any of my people with you who is poor, you shall not be like a moneylender to him, and you shall not exact interest from him. —Exodus 22:25
Righteousness and justice are the foundation of your throne; steadfast love and faithfulness go before you. —Psalm 89:14
A righteous man knows the rights of the poor; a wicked man does not understand such knowledge. —Proverbs 29:7
c. Do I trust in God’s Justice? (Rom 3:26; 12:19)
It was to show his righteousness at the present time, so that he might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus. —Romans 3:26
Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” —Romans 12:19
3. Feel: God gives us the courage to confront injustice (Nehemiah 5:6-13)
- a. Those with power and authority sinned against those they led and served. (v.6)
- b. Nehemiah was wise enough not to be ruled by anger (v.7)
- c. Nehemiah confronted the injustices head-on. (v.6-7)
- d. Nehemiah feared God and reminded others to fear The Lord (v.9)
- e. Nehemiah called for repentance and restitution. (v.8-11)
- f. The offenders accept the exhortation (v.12)
God-fearing people accept the responsibility of
- g. Consequences are clearly communicated (v.13)
Addressing sin and injustice requires
4. Do: Serve with selfless integrity (Nehemiah 5:14-19)
- a. Nehemiah set an example of selflessness. (v.14)
- b. Nehemiah sacrificed his rights for the sake of God’s work and the community’s welfare (v.15)
- c. All because he feared God (v.15)
- d. Nehemiah chose not to profit from his position (v.16)
- e. Nehemiah did not want to burden his people (v.18)
- f. Nehemiah valued God’s delight more than earthly comfort.
Servant leaders who advance God’s kingdom are
Small Group Questions
What did God teach you through this passage and message? Share the work of God in your heart with the group.
What questions did this passage and sermon raise in your mind?
In what ways can self-interest and exploitation manifest in our community and personal life?
How can trusting in God’s justice influence our response to injustice in the world?
How can we accept the responsibility of confronting and being confronted with sin and injustice in our own lives?
How does the fear of God motivate us to serve others with selflessness and integrity?