Chapter 5 Setting Things Right

Nehemiah – BIB 108

Omega Institute

Brian A. Schulz

Nehemiah: Reconstruction & Restoration

Lesson 6

Chapter 5 – Setting Things Right…

A.On the heels of accomplishing much of the work and working through the threats from surrounding nations, we find Nehemiah face to face with another set of ______.

1. This time the problem is of a different nature – the problem is from ______.

2. A serious issue has arisen among the people; a problem which could derail the entire project if it goes ______.

B. Nehemiah 5:1-5  The Problem Summarized. Dr. James Smith explains…

“Some of the Jews – especially the farmers – were ______stricken, and their economic condition was being exploited by their ______.”

Smith goes on to elaborate…

“The ______condition of some families had led to three unfortunate results.

1. First, poverty stricken families were being ______to sell their sons and daughters into debtors’ servitude. (cf. Exod. 21:1-11).

2. Second, some of their daughters had been forced into “bondage” (NASB) i.e., the humiliation of undesirable ______.

3. Third, many of the people felt “helpless” (lit., “there is no power for our hands”) because their property was now______by others (Nehemiah 5:5)”

C. Nehemiah 5:6-13  Nehemiah addresses this Issue…

1. Verses 6 & 7…

A. “Then I was very ______when I heard…”

1. Smith states that Nehemiah was ______with “righteous indignation.”

B. “And I consulted with ______”

1. After further deliberation – I thought long and hard about this. I took a moment to evaluate this.

C. He consulted with the nobles and rulers.

1. He levied an ______against them; Face to ______.

A. You are exacting ______.

1. Usury 

USURY (Heb. neshek, a "biting," i.e., "extortion"; Grk. tokos, a "yield"). Used in the sense of interest for money and does not necessarily imply the demand for exorbitant increase. According to the Mosaic law, the Israelites were forbidden to take usury from their brethren upon the loan of money, food, or anything else, i.e., they were not upon the return of the loan to demand anything more (Lev 25:36-37; Deut 23:19-20; etc.), although interest might be taken from foreigners (v. 20). Because the Israelites were not a commercial people, money was not often loaned for the purpose of business, but rather to aid the struggling poor. This last is the only kind of usury forbidden in the law, and the avoiding of this is sometimes given among the characteristics of the godly man (Ps 15:5; Jer 15:10; cf. Prov 28:8).

The practice of mortgaging lands, sometimes at exorbitant interest, grew up among the Jews during the captivity, in direct violation of the law (Lev 25:36; Ezek 18:8,13,17); and Nehemiah exacted an oath to insure its discontinuance (Neh 5:3-13). Jesus denounced all extortion, and proclaimed a new law of love and forbearance (Luke 6:30,35). The taking of usury in the sense of a reasonable rate of interest for the use of money employed in trade is different and is nowhere forbidden; it is referred to in the NT as a perfectly understood and allowable practice (Matt 25:27; Luke 19:23).

2. “Therefore, I held a great ______against them.”

A. It appears that his meetings with these leaders did not bring about the necessary ______.

B. Having given them the ______to resolve this issue privately – he takes this issue ______before all the people.

D. Verse 8…

1. Nehemiah uses a well reasoned argument based in ______.

A. We have gone to great lengths to help redeem our brothers and sisters only to hold them captive ourselves in the name of greed.

B. His reasoning left his opponents ______.

1. When a ______is necessary and inevitable – the best weapons are well thought out – well reasoned arguments.

2. These necessary uncomfortable “confrontations” should be undergirded with prayer and thoughtful ______.

E. Verse 10…

1. Smith explains… “Nehemiah admitted that he and his associates had been guilty of lending the poor money and grain. Thus he himself had contributed to the dissatisfaction among the farmers. He pled with the nobles to join with him in…

(1) Absolving the ______to the poor

(2) Returning properties which had been seized for failure of payment

(3) Refunding “the hundredth part of the money,” the one percent per month charge on the unpaid balance.

These actions would in effect ______the debts.”

F. Verses 11-13…The Nobles ______to Nehemiah’s Requests.

1. He moved immediately to take this from a simple agreement and to make it an official _____. He called for priests and they all made an oath to make things right.

2. Nehemiah also made an important symbolic ______to signify the seriousness of their resolve and commitment.

A. He shook out his garment. Dr. Smith explains why Nehemiah did this…

“The folds of garments were like pockets in which personal possessions were kept. Nehemiah emptied the pockets before the people, shaking out everything. This was symbolic of a ______. God would shake them out of their possessions if they broke their word.”

3. “Then the people did according to this promise.”

A. Words and the following actions would make things right. Only when the necessary ______accompanypromised words can things be truly set in order.

G. Nehemiah 5:14-19  Nehemiah’s ______.

1. Nehemiah is officially named ______.

A. The people have witnessed this man’s leadership and devotion to ______and to the people.

B. Apparently previous leaders had taken ______of the people. Even the leaders’ servants domineered the people. A leader like Nehemiah must have been a fresh breath of air.

2. He decides that he – and his servants, etc… - will ___ take the Governor’s Food Allowance.

A. He had every legal _____ to do so but refuses because his people were in need and he would not “ride high on the horse” while the people suffered.

B. He did not do this to “______favor” with the people. This was not a P.R. move. It was out of “fear of the Lord.”

3. He ______himself to the work of the wall.

A. ___ of his resources were made available to the work of the people.

B. He was not directing this work from an “ivory ______” – he was in the trenches with the people throughout this project.

4. He fed over ______people each night – out of his own pocket.

A. This entire project was a labor of ______.

5. He appeals for favor only from the ______.

A. Regardless of what the people would think – Nehemiah was determined to ______the Lord God – first and foremost.

QUESTIONS 

What is “righteous indignation”? Is this a good or bad thing?

What character traits of Nehemiah come to the surface in this chapter?

Was “fear” a proper motivation to have for Nehemiah refusing the Governor’s food allowance?

Was Nehemiah “tooting his own horn” by describing how much he invested in serving the people a meal at his table each night?