Nehemiah - Chapter 5
1-5:
INTERNAL CONFLICT
Just when Judah was finally able to withstand threats from outside, what should happen but internal squabbles sprang up. Just when it was safe to build again, the citizens of Judah cried out to Nehemiah with most serious complaints.
The people cried out against their Jewish brethren who had been profiting from the misfortune of many of the people and families willing to do the hard work on the wall. Even the wives cried out likely because they had been left alone by their husbands who had become wall workers. There seemed to be three groups protesting:
Those with large families who were neglected.
Those who had mortgaged property for food.
Those who had borrowed money to pay the king's tax.
The financial hardships had become so critical that many of the families had found it necessary to sell their own children into slavery. Such sale was not prohibited by law, but was supposed to be regulated (Exodus 21:2-11). Such people sold were to be thought of as hired servants, not slaves. Verse 5 implies that the daughters sold may have been forced into marriage or been treated immorally by those who now owned them.
Nehemiah himself was partially to blame. We earlier understood the difficult famine in the land and it is likely that his call to farmers and tradesmen to build took them away from family support. When funds ran low to the families, Jews who had no scruples took advantage with unfair loans and foreclosing on property and children when payments were missed.
6-13:
NEHEMIAH'S RESPONSE
When he heard the cries of the people he became very angry. But he took time to devote serious reflection on the issue. First he confronted the nobles and rulers and accused them of usury, that is loans with exorbitant rates of interest.
Next he called a great assembly to discuss the matter. At the end of the meeting the offenders sat silent which betrayed their guilt. Nehemiah then appealed to national pride saying that not only was the issue causing unity to fall apart but other peoples were laughing at the Jews in their misfortune.
Then Nehemiah makes a shocking admission that he himself had been an offender and had been lending money and grain at usury rates. Basically Nehemiah said that he and the other offenders had turned into pawn brokers against their own people.
He made a call for all property held to be returned to the original owners and that the usury (one hundredth per month or 12% per year) to be refunded. Scripture does not specifically say it, but probably those children taken as slaves were also to be returned free.
The lenders, now chastened, quickly agreed to the terms and Nehemiah summoned the priests to witness the matter to assure it was agreed before God.
Nehemiah then used a personal gesture to make the final point. He unfolded his own garment to empty it, making a show of emptying all pockets to say to all those offenders that if they break the agreement, God should empty them of all they possess.
These strategies were successful, and the passage ends on a positive note with the assurance that the people did according to this promise.
14-19:
NEHEMIAH'S SACRIFICE
Now we learn for the first time that Nehemiah was actually the governor of Judah and that he had served in this position for twelve years. Now he reveals the sacrificial aspect of his service.
He had never profited financially from his position nor had he bought any land for himself. Nor had he collected the normal “governor's provision” which would have been food, drink, and money.
Even though he had received nothing, he had fed many local people and visiting dignitaries from his own pocket. It was revealed to be a heavy financial sacrifice as he describes it as a daily supply of one ox and six choice sheep, plus fowls and wine.
Nehemiah's concern for the burden of the people had led him to drain his own personal resources rather than add to that burden. Nehemiah ends this section with a prayer, asking God to remember him for all he has done for Judah.
These verses demonstrate how Nehemiah had learned from his mistakes, and he had moved from being opportunistic to sacrificial leadership.
Once more Nehemiah provides us with practical principles of how to respond to conflict and complaint:
LISTEN
THINK IT OVER BEFORE ACTING
CONFRONT DIRECTLY THE PROBLEM
OPENLY ADMIT YOUR OWN MISTAKES
REQUIRE POSITIVE CHANGE AS A SOLUTION
GAIN AGREEMENT FROM ALL INVOLVED