As we review a problem presented to Nehemiah in chapter 5 of the book that bears his name, there are two verses that I think are important to read as background before we get into the next section:
Now the men and their wives raised a great outcry against their fellow Jews.
…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.”
Nehemiah 5:1, 5 NIV
These people aren’t just reporting their situation: they are protesting against other members of their own people. As they do so, they are pointing out how they themselves – and their children – are the same as their brothers. They are the same flesh and blood, having all been created by God in His image. They are also all part of the same people group: God’s chosen people of Israel. Yet, as we learn throughout this chapter, some of them are struggling and others are actually taking advantage of their fellow Jewish people! The result is that those who are in need are having to take extreme measures.
In Nehemiah 5:6-8: Nehemiah understands what is going on, and he is angry. I like how the Lookout puts it, “Nehemiah was steamed about this, and he allowed his emotions to show.”
What is Nehemiah angry about? It isn’t enough that some of the Jewish people have fallen on hard times. To add insult to injury, we might say, it is some of their fellow Jewish brothers who are taking advantage of them.
There are a few interpretations of what we read here as “interest” or “usury”. One set of interpretations would be charging interest or excessive interest on money that is loaned out. Another interpretation [ref. Schoville, cited below] is that this refers to taking something in pledge (i.e., collateral) to secure a loan. In that context, it was wrong to force a fellow Israelite to give up something essential to their life or livelihood as collateral (more on that below).
Regardless of which of these behaviors was taking place, that would be offensive enough. However, not only are these “better-off” Israelites charging interest, but they are also selling off Jewish people (who have indentured themselves to them) to foreign nations! I would say that Nehemiah is justifiably and righteously angry.
Just to be clear, though, let’s look at some rules from the Law of Moses:
- Deuteronomy 23:19-20 makes it clear that the Israelites are not to charge each other interest.
- Leviticus 25:35-43 makes it clear that even poor Israelites who sell themselves as workers for other Israelites must not be treated like slaves. They still work in return for what a richer Israelite supplies for them, but they are to be treated differently from (i.e., better than) slaves.
So, in his righteous anger, Nehemiah calls out just how bad some of this behavior is. He points out that Jewish people had been bought back from slavery to foreign nations, so why is this group (that he’s angry with) selling them back to those nations, requiring them to be re-purchased back? The only people who get rich in this situation are those who are selling their fellow Israelites to foreign nations, and the slave owners in the foreign nations. This comes at the cost of Israelites who are doing the right thing.
I don’t know if the richer Israelites portrayed their behavior as helping out their brothers. After all, these poorer Israelites had real needs, and the richer ones were providing a means to help. However, in God’s family, there’s a real difference between generosity (selflessly helping out) and taking advantage of a brother or sister.
Let us consider in our own lives what is the most important principle when we help out a fellow Christian – or any neighbor who is in need, for that matter. Are we looking to get something out of the deal (whether material gain or just reputation), or are we helping others out as generously as God has blessed us?
From Sunday School lesson prepared for February 19, 2023
References:
- The Lookout, February 19, 2023, © 2022 Christian Standard Media.
- Scripture taken from the Holy Bible, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
- The College Press NIV Commentary – Ezra-Nehemiah, by Keith Schoville. © 2001 College Press Publishing Co.
Those Who Sin Differently 