Nehemiah 5-7: Confronting Injustice

Thoughts

Nehemiah 5

The people raise a great outcry against their fellow Jews. Some families have no food; others mortgage their fields and homes just to survive during the famine. Some borrow money to pay the king’s taxes, becoming enslaved to their own people, with their sons and daughters in bondage.

Nehemiah hears the people’s cries and becomes deeply angry. He accuses the rulers of charging interest and enslaving their own people which is against God’s law.

He calls a large assembly to publicly address the issue. Nehemiah reminds them that he and others have redeemed Jews sold to foreigners, so how could they sell their own brothers?

The nobles and officials are silent and agree to Nehemiah’s demands and swear an oath. 

Nehemiah shakes out his robe as a symbolic act, declaring that anyone who breaks the promise will be shaken out and emptied by God.

Nehemiah serves as governor for twelve years without taking the food allowance due to him. Unlike former governors, he doesn’t take taxes or demand luxury.

His focus remains on rebuilding the wall, not personal gain. He personally feeds 150 people daily at his table at his own expense.

Nehemiah 6

Sanballat, Tobiah, Geshem, and their allies realize the wall is nearly complete. They repeatedly invite Nehemiah to meet them in the plain of Ono (four times) hoping to harm him. Nehemiah refuses every time.

On the fifth attempt, Sanballat sends an open letter accusing Nehemiah of plotting rebellion and planning to make himself king. Nehemiah replies simply, denying this.

A false prophet named Shemaiah tries to bring Nehemiah into hiding in the temple, claiming his life is in danger. Nehemiah declines, as entering the temple unlawfully would discredit him.

He realizes that Tobiah and Sanballat hired Shemaiah to make him sin and ruin his reputation. Others, including the prophetess Noadiah, also try to intimidate him.

Despite constant threats, the wall is finished in fifty-two days. When enemies hear this, they are afraid and lose confidence. 

However, Tobiah’s influence continues through letters with some nobles of Judah.

Nehemiah 7

With the wall completed, Nehemiah appoints Hanani (his brother) and Hananiah (commander of the citadel) to govern Jerusalem. Hananiah is described as fearing God more than most.

Nehemiah sets rules for the gates: such as they are not to be opened until the sun is hot (later in the day) to prevent surprise attacks. Guards are stationed by families at designated posts around the city.

Though the city is rebuilt, few people live within it. Nehemiah feels led by God to assemble the nobles, officials, and common people for registration by families. He discovers the genealogical record of those who first returned from exile under Zerubbabel (the same list also appears in Ezra 2).

• The record includes:
  • Leaders who came with Zerubbabel, Jeshua, Nehemiah (an earlier namesake), and others.
  • Numbers of families and tribes, listing the heads of clans.
  • Priests, Levites, singers, gatekeepers, and temple servants (Nethinim).
  • People who could not prove their genealogy, including some priests excluded from service until verified by Urim and Thummim

The entire community gives offerings for the rebuilding effort. Nehemiah donates gold, bowls, and garments for the priests. The people contribute additional gold, silver, and supplies for temple service.

The chapter closes noting that the priests, Levites, gatekeepers, singers, and common people settled in their own towns throughout Judah.

Questions

How did Nehemiah know the men wanted to do him harm?

Application

Nehemiah confronted injustice. He didn’t ignore the cries of the oppressed. When he heard that some Jews were exploiting their own people, he became angry, but he paused to think before acting. He didn’t act impulsively but he also didn’t stay silent. True leadership should not look away from injustice. God calls us to speak up for those who cannot speak up for themselves.