Nehemiah 5 - Nehemiah's Economic Reforms | Bible Podcast, David Alley, Peace Christian Church
The Bible by David Alley · David Alley
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Show Notes
n this video listen to Nehemiah chapter 5, read by David Alley, followed by comments and prayer.
In Nehemiah 5 we have A different type of problem arise than that which arose previously from outside. This is an internal issue in how the society of the Israelites was working. There was lending to fellow Israelites and the charging of interest, something which was prohibited in Exodus 22. This was problematic on several levels.
Firstly it was against the command of the Lord
It was taking advantage of those who had given their time to help build the walls keeping the others who didn’t contribute safe.
The wall should have been the responsibility of all, not of some, so lending with no interest could have been a way of contributing to the wall’s construction, rather than hindering it.
This situation reminds us of the Corinthians who ate their love feasts with differences between them, without regard for one another.
After Nehemiah becomes the governor of Judea, whereas before it was under the governorship of Samaria, likely ruled by Sanballat.
Nehemiah is a fair governor and doesn't take advantage of his position. His prayer to remember me is one we can all emulate. One the one hand, the thief on the cross prayed this prayer when he had deserved nothing, pleading for mercy. But on this hand, Nehemiah has been righteous, and pleads for the Lord to notice and reward him. Whichever the case, we can ask the Lord to remember us.