Reading
SAA Notes
Once Jerusalem is secure with a half-built wall, Nehemiah looks out for the poor of the land, those most vulnerable to exploitation and abuse. Verse 15 tells us what made Nehemiah a different sort of public official or bureaucrat to the norm. God grant us such a bureaucracy.
SJA Notes
* Holy God, may we take Your instruction instead of silver, knowledge of You rather than choice gold. Your wisdom is better than jewels, and all that we might desire cannot compare.
“So I said, ‘This thing that you are doing is not good. Ought you not to walk in the fear of our God to prevent the taunts of the nations our enemies?'”
Here is a rebuke done right.
Look at Nehemiah’s words. They are bold and clear, they point to God’s wisdom and His ways.
He calls them out with graciousness,
“Let us abandon this exacting of interest.”
Some of God’s people were forcing others of God’s people into slavery. They were extorting money, exacting interest.
Nehemiah calls on them to stop this, to return what they had taken.
Let us strive today to be more like Nehemiah wherever God has put us. Humble, contrite, bold and fearless – Just as our Lord and Saviour Jesus was.
“Remember for my good, O my God, all that I have done for this people.”
* God Above,
Please mark us as a people faithful to You and Your wisdom, Your word written on our hearts.
Thank You for the witness of Nehemiah.
Thank You most of all for the pattern and example of Jesus, You in the Person of the Son, become flesh.
Amen.