Nehemiah 5:1-12 Some
men and their wives cried out against their Jewish brothers and sisters. 2 Some
of them were saying, “There are now many of us. We have many sons and
daughters. We have to get some grain so we can eat and stay alive.”
3 Others were saying, “We’re being forced to sell our
fields, vineyards and homes. We have to do it to buy grain. There isn’t enough
food for everyone.”
4 Still others were saying, “We’ve had to borrow money.
We needed it to pay the king’s tax on our fields and vineyards. 5 We
belong to the same family lines as the rest of our people. Our children are as
good as theirs. But we’ve had to sell them off as slaves. Some of our daughters
have already been made slaves. But we can’t do anything about it. That’s
because our fields and vineyards now belong to others.”
6 I heard them when they cried out. And I was very
angry when I heard what they were saying. 7 I thought it over for a
while. Then I accused the nobles and officials of breaking the law. I told
them, “You are charging your own people interest!” So I called together a large
group of people to handle the matter. 8 I said, “Our Jewish brothers
and sisters were sold to other nations. We’ve done everything we could to buy
them back and bring them home. But look at what you are doing! You are actually
selling your own people! Now we’ll have to buy them back too!” The people kept
quiet. They couldn’t think of anything to say.
9 So I continued, “What you are doing isn’t right.
Shouldn’t you show respect for our God? Shouldn’t you live in a way that will
keep our enemies from saying bad things about us? 10 I’m lending the
people money and grain. So are my relatives and my men. But we must stop
charging interest! 11 Give the people’s fields back to them. Give
them back their vineyards, olive groves and houses. Do it right away. Give
everything back to them. Also give them back the one percent on the money,
grain, fresh wine and olive oil you have charged them.”
12 “We’ll give it back,” they said. “And we won’t
require anything more from them. We’ll do exactly as you say.”
Then I sent for the priests. I made the nobles and officials
promise to do what they had said.
James 2:17 (NRSV) Faith by itself, if it has no works, is
dead.
Nehemiah showed leadership not only by empathizing but also
by doing something to improve the situation. He didn’t just feel the pain of
others; he was moved to help them. As God’s servants we too are called to
respond with mercy and to put God’s love into action.
Thought for today:
Can I act on the word after I hear it?
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