Nehemiah Part 5: Healing Internal Strife

Enemies Foreign And Domestic “We have met the enemy and he is us.” Walt Kelly

Nehemiah And Internal Strife Showed brilliant leadership against foreign enemies. Showed brilliant leadership in gaining local support. Now must show brilliant leadership in overcoming internal strife.

Making Your Brethren Slaves Trouble in Jerusalem was concerning USURY resulting in slavery – Nehemiah 5 USURY = charging interest against loans, especially in exorbitant amounts creating extreme hardship.

Three Groups Of Victims Vs. 2 – “…We, our sons and our daughters are many; therefore let us get grain that we may eat and live.” Group one: Those too poor to buy food because of unethical lending practices.

Group Two: Can’t Pay Mortgage Vs. 3 – “…We are mortgaging our fields, our vineyards and our houses that we might get grain because of the famine.” But notice…some are destitute and others rich.

Group 3: Can’t Pay Taxes Vs. 4 – “…We have borrowed money for the king’s tax on our fields and our vineyards.” Having to borrow to pay taxes is a no-win situation.

Who Was To Blame? Rich fellow Jews who were taking advantage. Vs. 5 – “…we are helpless because our fields and vineyards belong to others.”

The Result Was Slavery Vs. 5 – “Now our flesh is like the flesh of our brothers, our children like their children. Yet behold, we are forcing our sons and our daughters to be slaves, and some of our daughters are forced into bondage already….”

This Broke God’s Laws Leviticus 25:13-17 Year of Jubilee all land returned to original owner. (50 years) “You shall not wrong one another.” Fair purchase prices based on years until Jubilee.

Deuteronomy 15:1-11 Remission of debts to fellow Jews every 7 years. Do not neglect the poor among you. Freeing of all slaves every seventh year, with subsequent gifts to help them get re-established. Pierced ear to remain a slave is an option.

Leviticus 25:39-41 Countryman can sell himself to you. But cannot be subjected to slavery. Must serve as a hired man. Until the year of Jubilee. No selling in a slave auction.

Nehemiah’s Reaction Began with personal examination Vs. 7 – “…I consulted with myself …”

Contending With The Wrongdoers V “Therefore, I held a great assembly against them….” “The thing which you are doing is not good; should you not walk in the fear of our God…?” “Please leave off this usury…”

Personal Sacrifice To Rectify Vs. 10 – “…I, my brothers and my servants are lending them money and grain….” Vs Refuses governor’s provisions Feeds 150 Jews + at his own expense.

To Defeat Internal Strife… Matthew 5:23-24 – “Therefore if you are presenting your offering at the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your offering there before the altar and go; first be reconciled to your brother, and then come and present your offering.”

Honor And Respect One Another James 2:1-4 No personal favoritism No division based on wealth No distinctions whatsoever

Do Good To All Galatians 6:10 – So then, while we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.

Don’t Get Sidetracked John 9:4 – “We must work the works of Him who sent Me as long as it is day; night is coming when no one can work.”