This post is Day 24 in a series of studies about “Nehemiah”. I strongly suggest you begin with the introduction to this study, please click here to read it.

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Nehemiah – Day 24

This was another example of Nehemiah to the rescue. He really was the man of God for the work. He sorted the problem well because he was working under the authority of God. How different our world would be if our leaders worked willingly under the authority of Almighty God.

Nehemiah 5:9-12

“What you are doing is not right. Shouldn’t you walk in the fear of our God to avoid the reproach of our gentile enemies? I and my brothers and my men are also lending the people money and grain. But let us stop charging interest! Give back to them immediately their fields, vineyards, olive groves and houses, and also the interest you are charging them …”

The Thought

Nehemiah’s first reaction was anger (v6) then serious thought about the problem (v7) then a gathering of everyone concerned and the accusation of the guilty, whose silence confirmed their guilt.(v8) But Nehemiah also admitted his own guilt before the others. Not always an easy thing to do.

After getting the agreement of the whole assembly this wise leader called the priests to witness the oath these landowners were making. He followed this with a visible action that no-one would forget:-

I shook out the folds of my robe and said, “In this way may God shake out of their house and possessions anyone who does not keep this promise. So may each person be shaken out and emptied.” (v13)

The end of this verse is one of the most encouraging in the Bible: And the people did as they had promised.

This was another example of Nehemiah to the rescue. He really was God’s man for the work, he sorted the problem well because he was working under God’s authority.

How different our world would be if our leaders worked willingly under the authority of Almighty God.

Action

Pray for your local and national leaders today, that they may acknowledge the God of Heaven and earth as their ultimate authority, and may live and rule according to His rules.

Read the complete chapter of Nehemiah 9 for more of his wisdom and generosity, and his heart for the people he was helping.