Honest Reflections on Nehemiah 5 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. (vs. 7) How do you respond when you learn about something going that is not right nor glorifying to God? Do you try to avoid confrontation by sweeping the issue under the rug, pretending it is not there? Do you convince yourself that its not really that big of a deal and that maybe later I will do something about it? Do you seek to divorce yourself from the matter altogether, foolishly believing thats his/her issue, they can deal with it on their own, it doesnt affect me? Or do you lovingly confront the person in a Christ like manner, knowing if anyone among you wanders from the truth and someone brings him back, let him know that whoever brings back a sinner from his wandering will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins (James 5:19-20)? When Nehemiah hears complaints from fellow Jews who are being treated wrongly and unbiblically by their own people, he immediately takes action and addresses the issue! For there was a great outcry in the land, over the economic crisis Judah was facing in the midst of repairing the wall, and as a result of this crisis, some of the Jews took advantage of their fellow Jews in order to make ends meet. For example, some mortgaged out their properties to their fellow Jews, borrowed money with interest, and even sold their own children, just so they could have food. This is why those who were wronged complained, crying out 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 (vs. 5). It is not that hard to imagine what that must have been like for those Jews, for we understand what its like to go through a financial crisis and how desperate it can make us feel. Its a daunting experience. We can understand why some of those Jews would resort to such crooked means and take advantage of others, even of their own brothers and sisters in the LORD, because desperate times can lead to desperate and foolish measures. But this does not excuse the sin that these Jews were doing, for the Law forbade Gods people from ever doing such a thing to a fellow Jew. Needless to say, Nehemiah is outraged over this matter (vs. 6), which was the right kind of emotion to be feeling when righteousness is not being upheld. Its perfectly okay to be angry when something that is not in accordance to the will of God is happening and is undermining His glory and rigtheousness. Even Jesus displayed this kind of righteous anger (Jn 2:13-22, Jesus clears out the Temple). Contrary to how we normaly react in anger, though, Nehemiah does not react sinfully with his anger. Instead, he takes counsel with himself, meaning he wisely thinks through what should be done, rather than going off on a rampage against those who were acting wrongly (vs. 7). This of course does not come naturally to our sin nature, and is even why Proverbs would say this regarding mastering ones anger: Whoever is slow to anger is better than the mightyy, and he who rules his spirit than he who takes a city (Prov 16:32). So, Nehemiah gathers the leaders together and holds an assembly to confronts their error (vs. 7). Whats interesting about all this, is the manner of his confrontation (i.e. what he says to them), which serves even as a model for us whenever we need to lovingly confront our brother/sister in the Lord over a sin they have committed (which, by the way, is the responsiblity of the church, even as our Lord and Savior, Jesus, instructed us to do, Mt 18:15-20). First, he reminds them how they LORD redeemed them from their exile into other nations, even from slavery, something of which they apparently have forgotten sincing they are selling one another to be slaves. 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 (vs. 8) Might we always remember the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and that not one person is better than the other, nor somehow more worthy than another, of this great salvation that Jesus Christ purchased with His own blood. Might we remind ourselves and those that we are confronting, so that we have the right perspective on the issue we are seeking to resolve. Second, Nehemiah exhorts them to instead walk in the fear of our God to prevent the taunts of the nations our enemies (vs. 9). In other words, take heed to Gods righteous standards and live by them, so that we might please Him and exalt Him, rather than gratifyiing the desires of our sin nature and exalting ourselves. This happens as we see God for who He truly is, as revealed to us through His inerrant Word, and in doing so, we will then rightly weigh our wants and desires in view of His glory and grace, and clearly see whether or not the thing we are doing is pleasing to Him! Who we understand God to be, will greatly impact how we live! If we lose sight of His magnificence and the cost of our salvation, we will quickly find ourselves in the same boat as these Jews that Nehemiah is confronting. Might we learn to walk in the fear of God, and encourage one another to do the same as well! The author of Hebrews would remind the church of this: Let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near (Heb 10:24-25). Finally, Nehemiah makes good of what he is exhorting these people, even in his own life. He tells them to return to those whom they have wronged, all their possessions, and require nothing from them (vs. 11). Nehemiah even testifies to how he, himself, has been lending money to those in need, rather than thinking of himself and abusing his fellow people (vs. 10). When we need to lovingly confront someone of a wrong they have done, not only must we point out their wrong, but also provide a biblical solution to correct it, and a solution that we ourselves are implementing. For how can we help others, if we ourselves, are not living out Gods Word. That would be hypocrisy. Did Nehemiahs strategy to resolve the conflict work? Yes, for the people agreed to do what Nehemiah requested, responding, We will restore these and require nothing from them. We will do as you say (vs. 12). Nehemiah made them take an oath before the priests to do what they said, and afterward the assembly of people said, Amen, and they praised the LORD, doing what they promised to Nehemiah (vs. 13). What an important lesson on how to resolve conflict biblically. Might we not turn a blind eye to those that we know are doing wrong, for that would be nothing other than loving that person to Hell. Instead, might we love each person to Christ, holding them accountable to His ways, even as we ourselves do so, while we have others who hold us accountable too. The apostle Paul would remind the young pastor Timothy, The aim of our charge is love that issues from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith (1 Tm 1:5). Might that be our theme and glory, as we hold another accountable to holiness, for the glory of God, for the building up of the church, and for the sake of those who are without Christ and are perishing, who are indeed watching us. Questions. Do you see confrontation as something to avoid at all cost, or as a necessary component of Christ like love? Are you being careful to watch yourself and your doctrine, even guarding yourself from the sins you critize others for committing? Are you keeping the cross before you, and striving to only speak words of grace and truth, especially when confronting someone of their error? Do others see Christ in you, by the way you love them? Prayer. Father, thank You for the honesty of Your Word, and the constant reminder of how desperately we need Your Spirit to work in us and make us more like Christ. Cleanse me of my natural tendancies to sin, and make me more like You. Use me to speak truth and grace to others, especially those who are wandering away from Your truth. In Jesus Name, Amen.
Posted on: Thu, 23 Jan 2014 21:57:45 +0000
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