So far in Nehemiah, opposition and discord had come from the outside in. The Jews had been working together whole heartedly to rebuild their protective wall, and trusting the Lord under Nehemiah's leadership.
Chapter five begins with "a great outcry" from within the land. The poor bring their concern to Nehemiah's attention. They were working hard, yet were deprived of the food and funds they needed for their families. These people had even been forced to mortgage their property in order to receive food and pay taxes!! It was especially difficult to provide for family during this time because there was famine.
"Although we are of the same flesh and blood as our fellow Jews, and though our children are as good as theirs, yet we have to subject our sons and daughters to slavery. Some of our daughters have already been enslaved, but we are powerless, because our fields and our vineyards belong to others." 5:5
The poor were living out of balance and underprivileged, over worked and taken advantaged of by the wealthy....and change was out of their power.
Upon receiving this information, Nehemiah "was very angry." His concern for others was authentic, and seeing injustice did not settle with him.
When God's people are hurting that takes priority.
Nehemiah immediately took action. With the wall on the back burner, he gives a voice to the people who's were not being heard. Neh was given a position of authority which required responsibility. Project management was not his only title, but the people the project concerned. Caring for other's lives always takes priority over tasks, regardless of the importance the task might hold.
Nehemiah confronts the source. He calls together the nobles and officials, saying:
"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 - one percent of the money, gran, new wine, and olive oil." - 5:9-11
Restoring protection by a wall and provision for their needs, Nehemiah cared about the people's well being as a whole....
This heart was given to him by a God who cares about every detail of his children's lives.
From healing hurt to providing resources, our God misses nothing.
Does change feel out of your control, sweet one? Is there an area of your life in which you feel powerless? Not only does our God have concern for your need, He fights on your behalf and will bring justice for you. We can completely rely on Him, because He is powerful when we are powerless.
"But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me." - 2 Corinthians 12:9
Bring before Him your need; He bends down to hear you, precious & loved child of God <3
In Jesus Christ we lack nothing, and no good thing does God withhold from those who love Him!
No comments:
Post a Comment