READ | SERMON NOTES
Summary l Interspersed between two chapters on building, Nehemiah 5 deals with internal conflict and frustration and centres on Nehemiah’s work on justice.
1) Hearing the cries (V1-5)
A great outcry! The same Hebrew word for outcry is used when the Israelites were enslaved in Egypt. The situation was so grave that even the women who usually kept quiet in those times joined in the protests against their own people. A situation of famine arose. Williamson in his book Ezra, Nehemiah explained that Nehemiah had forbidden men to return home from Jerusalem while the wall was being built the farms may have been severely understaffed leading to famine during the crucial period of ingathering. People were hungry, there was loss of property through mortgage, burden of taxation imposed by the Persian king, selling of children into indentured slavery where slaves served their masters without pay till their parents’ debts were fully repaid. The situation was compounded by exorbitant interests charged on their debts. Jews were exploiting Jews though charging of interests was prohibited under Mosaic Laws (Deu 23:19-20).
2) Taking the action (V6-10)
A public assembly was called to confront the issue and rebuke the wrongdoers.
3) Restoring the loss (V11-13)
People were asked to release the debts and return the interests charged. They promised to do so under oath. Nehemiah shook out the folds of his robe as a symbolic act to pronounce that anyone who did not keep his promise would likewise be shaken out and emptied. The people responded with “Amen” and praised God.
Discipleship Principles about Justice:
- Walk in the fear of the Lord
Justice from biblical viewpoint flows from the fear of God, i.e., taking God seriously. If the Jews had taken God seriously, they would not have taken advantage of others. Mosaic Laws provided safeguards for the poor:
-interest free loan (Lev 25:35-37)
-debt cancelled after 7 years (Deu 15:1-18)
-year of Jubilee (Lev 25:8-13)
Underlying principle is “do not to take advantage of each other, but fear your God. I am your God” (Lev 25:17). He is our Creator who created us in His image. Biblical justice is relational reality, it is about how to accord worth and dignity to each person, whether in the family, workplace and beyond. If we walk in the fear of God, whatever breaks God’s heart should break ours too. When we fear God and seek to walk humbly, act justly and love mercy (Micah 6:8), He gives grace to treat each other with respect and dignity. We are also guilty of enslavement/exploitation if we manipulate others to be indebted to us and need to repent. - Act for the powerless with compassionate wisdom
Nehemiah paused building and called for public assembly to speak up for the powerless (Prov 31:8-9)
How to give voice to the voiceless? - Create a safe space for them
- Give credit for what they have done
- Create a platform where they can be heard
- Help others respect what they say
Nehemiah’s public meeting provided the platform for issues to be heard and addressed. He had compassion through righteous anger (V6) which moved him to action. He pondered as his heart consulted with his mind to seek God’s wisdom (V7). He appealed to conscience (“don’t rob your own people), redemptive purpose (“don’t enslave each other), witness to the nations (“what would they think”) and personal integrity (“I am as wrong as you”).
An example of exploitation today is when contractors compromise workers’ safety by cutting costs on safety equipment, training and insurance coverage. We are often moved by what we see but stay at that level. Do we take time to ponder and act wisely when heart and mind works?
Compassion and justice must go together. Jesus exemplified righteous anger in clearing the temple courts and meted out justice in a quiet and powerful way for the woman caught in adultery. - Be redemptive
Nehemiah gave wrongdoers a chance to make things right instead of punishing them. There is restoration and recompense. Above all wrongdoers’ hearts were transformed. A public meeting to settle disputes turned out to be a commitment to God and the people praised God. The world focus on punitive justice where vengeance may be achieved but not peace.
Punitive justice is what is done TO you. Restorative justice is what is done FOR you. Redemptive justice is what is done IN you. Redemptive justice is done for both the victim and perpetrator. True redemptive justice is the gospel. God’s justice is redemptive because His kindness leads to repentance (Rm 2:4). Can we stand apart from the world as God’s people to pursue redemptive justice? Can we bring the redemptive power of the gospel to the situations we face in our family and work places through our forgiveness and peace-making?
God is interested in our hearts. If you are in a position of influence, who are the powerless who need you to stand up for them? If you are heartbroken, forgiveness is not easy when the hurt is deep but can you take the first step in the journey of forgiveness to let go and surrender your situation to God and trust Him to use what you surrendered for redemptive purpose and bring about peace that transforms a wrongdoer to one being wronged?
(Sermon notes by Woo Choi Yin)
PONDER | REFLECTION QUESTIONS
- In Nehemiah’s day, the people with money had the power to take advantage of others, and the poor people were devalued. What parallels to this situation are there in our society today?
- Who are the people you are tempted to treat as less valuable than yourself?
- What impresses you about the way Nehemiah handled the issue of injustice?
- What injustices do you see around you? How can you ensure you listen to the cries of the broken?
- Justice flows from walking in the fear of God. How does this resonate with you?
- What can you do to act justly today in your workplaces and homes? Who are the voiceless and powerless you can you speak or act for?
- What injustices have you yourself participated in? Is there anything you need to repent of?
- Pray for each other to walk in the fear of God as we act justly and love mercy (Micah 6:8).
