Living by example

[14] Moreover from the time that I was appointed to be their governor in the land of Judah, from the twentieth year even unto the two and thirtieth year of Artaxerxes the king, that is, twelve years, I and my brethren have not eaten the bread of the governor.
[15] But the former governors that had been before me were chargeable unto the people, and had taken of them bread and wine, beside forty shekels of silver; yea, even their servants bare rule over the people: but so did not I, because of the fear of God. [16] Yea, also I continued in the work of this wall, neither bought we any land: and all my servants were gathered thither unto the work. [17] Moreover there were at my table an hundred and fifty of the Jews and rulers, beside those that came unto us from among the heathen that are about us. [18] Now that which was prepared for me daily was one ox and six choice sheep; also fowls were prepared for me, and once in ten days store of all sorts of wine: yet for all this required not I the bread of the governor, because the bondage was heavy upon this people. [19] Think upon me, my God, for good, according to all that I have done for this people. Nehemiah 5:14-19

Nehemiah was a man of integrity. He did not ask of others something he himself would not do. In this portion of scripture we learn that Nehemiah was made governor.

He was a governor like none before him. He did not live at the expense of the people. Nehemiah did not take a pay or food from the people. So, what did Nehemiah do while he was the governor? He worked on the wall. He had a mission to do and he would complete it.

Nehemiah worked and took care of his servants as well as a hundred and fifty Jews and rulers. He made sure the people were fed. His daily provision for them: one ox, six sheep, different birds and every ten days they had special wines. All of this was paid for by Nehemiah, not the government, so the people would not be burdened.

At the close of the chapter is what I consider a one line prayer, “think upon me, my God, for good...” Nehemiah was not looking toward men for his reward but toward his Heavenly Father.

Lesson: Do everything you do for the Lord.

Do we live by example? Do our actions match our words?

Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God. 1Corinthians 10:31

And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; Colossians 3:23

Have a blessed day,
Donna

Promises made and kept

[6] And I was very angry when I heard their cry and these words.[7] Then I consulted with myself, and I rebuked the nobles, and the rulers, and said unto them, Ye exact usury, every one of his brother. And I set a great assembly against them. [8] And I said unto them, We after our ability have redeemed our brethren the Jews, which were sold unto the heathen; and will ye even sell your brethren? or shall they be sold unto us? Then held they their peace, and found nothing to answer. [9] Also I said, It is not good that ye do: ought ye not to walk in the fear of our God because of the reproach of the heathen our enemies? [10] I likewise, and my brethren, and my servants, might exact of them money and corn: I pray you, let us leave off this usury. [11] Restore, I pray you, to them, even this day, their lands, their vineyards, their oliveyards, and their houses, also the hundredth part of the money, and of the corn, the wine, and the oil, that ye exact of them. [12] Then said they, We will restore them, and will require nothing of them; so will we do as thou sayest. Then I called the priests, and took an oath of them, that they should do according to this promise. [13] Also I shook my lap, and said, So God shake out every man from his house, and from his labour, that performeth not this promise, even thus be he shaken out, and emptied. And all the congregation said, Amen, and praised the LORD. And the people did according to this promise. Nehemiah 5:6-13

Nehemiah listened as the Jews told him what was happening with their fellow countrymen. Nehemiah was angry and rebuked the rulers. What they were doing was out right extortion. When the rebuking was over the nobles and rulers had no answer. I’m sure they knew they were wrong. John Gill says, “being convinced they had done wrong, by the arguments used, to which they could make no reply.”

Nehemiah took the silent to move ahead with his discourse. You need to “walk in the fear of God”, stop the taxing and restore what you took. The people agreed and Nehemiah made them take an oath and promise to do what they said.

Keil & Delitzsch Commentary: “To make the agreement thus sworn to still more binding, Nehemiah confirmed the proceeding by a symbolical action: Also I shook my lap, and said, So may God shake out every man from his house, and from his labour, that performeth (fulfilleth) not this promise, and thus may he be shaken out and emptied. ... The symbolical action consisted in Nehemiah's gathering up his garment as if for the purpose of carrying something, and then shaking it out with the words above stated, which declared the meaning of the act.”

The whole congregation approved with a hearty Amen (so be it). The people praised God and did what they promised.

What would you do if every time you made a promise before God someone was there to make you take an oath to keep the promise? We need to be careful of what we say and what we promise. God takes promises seriously.

Be not rash with thy mouth, and let not thine heart be hasty to utter any thing before God: for God is in heaven, and thou upon earth: therefore let thy words be few. Ecclesiastes 5:2

Have a blessed day,
Donna

Opposition

[1] And there was a great cry of the people and of their wives against their brethren the Jews. [2] For there were that said, We, our sons, and our daughters, are many: therefore we take up corn for them, that we may eat, and live. [3] Some also there were that said, We have mortgaged our lands, vineyards, and houses, that we might buy corn, because of the dearth. [4] There were also that said, We have borrowed money for the king's tribute, and that upon our lands and vineyards. [5] Yet now our flesh is as the flesh of our brethren, our children as their children: and, lo, we bring into bondage our sons and our daughters to be servants, and some of our daughters are brought unto bondage already: neither is it in our power to redeem them; for other men have our lands and vineyards. Nehemiah 5:1-5

The people are working hard at trying to complete the task of finishing the wall. They have had opposition from people “outside the camp” now they have opposition from other Jews. It appears that the rich were taking advantage of the poor.

I’m picturing this time as a recession. The prices are going higher and higher yet the wages are staying the same. People had large families and were having a hard time supporting their families. They had to mortgage their homes and lands just to buy food. Borrowing money to pay taxes was also making them miserable. They felt absolutely powerless.

It was getting so bad the Jews were selling their sons and daughters to be slaves. They had no way to redeem their children because other men now owned their lands. A dilemma no one would want to be in.

As I read the verses, I heard despair, hopelessness and the wavering faith of the people. They felt like they had nowhere to turn. I’m sure it felt like the “world” was crushing in on them, losing land, homes and even children.

In my next post, Nehemiah will speak to this problem.

Maybe you know someone who is having a hard time during the recession. It could be a lost job or a cut in pay to keep the job. I spoke to someone recently whose husband has taken three cuts in pay during the last few years. We need to pray and ask God to show us where we can help others.

Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; Colossians 3:12

Have a blessed day,
Donna