Sunday, November 22, 1998 This Week's Lesson:
In this week's lesson, which came from Nehemiah 5:1-13, we learned about the importance of resolving any internal problems that threaten our work for God. While Nehemiah was overseeing the rebuilding of the walls around Jerusalem, the people in his group came to him with a series of complaints. They were very upset with some of their brethren because these other people, who were also Jewish, were doing them wrong. Some of those who came to Nehemiah complained that they had had to take up corn for their families to eat. Some complained that they had been required to mortgage their land to buy corn because there was apparently a famine in the land. Finally, some complained that they had had to borrow by using their property as collateral. When the people came to Nehemiah with their complaints, they were disturbed because their families were suffering because of the ill deeds of their own brethren. They had come to Nehemiah with valid complaints, and he took the matter to heart and became very angry. Those who call on God as Savior should never mistreat anyone. How much worse it is when we mistreat those around us who are also trusting in the Lord.
Nehemiah immediately dealt with the problems of his workers in a Christ-like manner by confronting those who were doing the wrong. In Nehemiah 5:7-9, he spoke to the nobles and rulers about their having charged the people usury. Exodus 22:25 says, "If thou lend money to any of my people that is poor by thee, thou shalt not be to him as an usurer, neither shalt thou lay upon him usury." Leviticus 25:35-36 says, "And if thy brother be waxen poor, and fallen in decay with thee; then thou shalt relieve him: yea, though he be a stranger, or a sojourner; that he may live with thee. Take thou no usury of him, or increase: but fear thy God; that thy brother may live with thee." Nehemiah's workers had been faithful to the other Jews. Therefore, he compelled those who were charging them usury to change their ways and do right. Usury comes from the Hebrew word, neshek, and means interest on debt. In Old Testament times, God told his people, the Jews, to not charge other Jews interest on their loans. In the case of the people of Nehemiah's time, the usury was so excessive that it was causing them financial hardship. Nehemiah told the offenders that their behavior was a bad testimony and also against the teachings of Scriptures. The nobles and rulers were so taken back by his rebuke that they could not answer. Nehemiah encouraged them to live right before the Lord, and he urged them to be fair to their own brethren.
The nobles and rulers agreed to Nehemiah's demands. In Nehemiah 5:12-13, they said that they would return the people's property and not require further payment. Several lessons are clear from this passage. First, Christians should do right by everyone, but especially towards each other. Second, when a wrong has been done, those in the wrong sometimes need to be confronted. Finally, when we are the wrongdoers, then we need to take responsibility for our actions and do as our Lord would have us. As you go through the coming week, trust your heart and life to the Holy Spirit and do your best to live as He leads.
Tom of Spotswood"He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life." (I John 5:12)
"And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart." (Jeremiah 29:13)
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