Then I consulted with myself, and I rebuked the nobles, and the rulers, and said unto them, Ye exact usury, every one of his brother. And I set a great assembly against them. And I said unto them, We after our ability have redeemed our brethren the Jews, which were sold unto the heathen; and will ye even sell your brethren? or shall they be sold unto us? Then held they their peace, and found nothing to answer. Also I said, It is not good that ye do: ought ye not to walk in the fear of our God because of the reproach of the heathen our enemies? (Neh 5:7-9)
When the poorer families of Judaea came to Nehemiah and registered a complaint against those who had helped them and were now charging excessive interest for that help, Nehemiah was incensed. Many of the more affluent nobles and rulers had plenty to share but were now charging their kinsmen and countrymen excessive amounts for that which they shared. God’s law declares not only that kinsmen were to redeem their near kinsman without charge, but also if interest was charged, in the case of non-Jews and those not kin, it was not to be excessive. Compassion and welfare were not to be a means to line the pockets of those who gave, nor were the poor to be exploited, but was to be done with grace because the Jews were once strangers and slaves in Egypt and captives in Babylon.
Nehemiah rebuked those charging excessive interest and usury because they were oppressing their neighbors and kin just as the Egyptians and others had done to Israel. Nehemiah knew that God calls for His people to be different than the world and give as God has given to us. It was also written in the Law because of their past and because of the grace which God had shown His people when they were strangers and in bondage. The leadership of Israel were to lead their people in the fear of the Lord and not cause the people to fear them nor bring the reproach of their enemies upon them.
God wants His people to be compassionate, not expecting the government to do it for us, nor making money off those we care for. We are not to be foolish with our giving, lest we be taken advantage of, but we are to have a heart of mercy. God has had mercy on us, and extended grace when we did not deserve it. Because He has compassion on us, we are to have compassion on others, loving others as He first loved us. Wise as serpents and gentle as doves, we take steps to give wisely that those who are truly in need may be ministered to, but we don’t do it to advance our position or increase our accounts, knowing that God will provide and take care of His people. If we become just like the world, the world will still hate us, and they will also bear the reproach of God for failing to fear Him and not being different from the world which is at war with Him.
Because we are to be different, God’s will for His people is for us to minister to those around us who are hurting and in need as He provides, with the Word of reconciliation and righteousness, rightly divided and fitly spoken, that others may see Christ in us, the hope of Glory. Our GOD has commanded us to love one another with an unfeigned love, even as He first loved us, and to disciple one another in the Word of GOD so that we may all grow in grace and in the Knowledge of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. Our Lord has commissioned those who are His with the Gospel of Jesus Christ, to go where He sends us in the power of the Holy Spirit. As we go, we are to proclaim the Good News of forgiveness through repentance and reconciliation with the Father through faith in His Son, that those who believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Messiah of GOD might have life in His Name.
GOD is not willing that any should perish, but that all would come to repentance and the knowledge of the Truth. Jesus loves you and wants to establish a covenant relationship with you that is real and personal. Surrender to Him on His terms and He will give you a brand new life of discipleship and fellowship with Him that is abundant and everlasting. GOD calls you to faith in Christ and His finished and perfect work on the Cross of Calvary to pay your sIn debt. He has provided the only way of reconciliation with GOD, forgiveness from GOD, and Salvation through Jesus Christ, the Son of GOD who is GOD the Son, to give you a new life in Christ. Turn away from yourself and your sIn and turn to Him alone for eternal Life, now and always.
In Christ,
Jefferson Sweet
Nehemiah rebuked those charging excessive interest and usury because they were oppressing their neighbors and kin just as the Egyptians and others had done to Israel. Nehemiah knew that God calls for His people to be different than the world and give as God has given to us. It was also written in the Law because of their past and because of the grace which God had shown His people when they were strangers and in bondage. The leadership of Israel were to lead their people in the fear of the Lord and not cause the people to fear them nor bring the reproach of their enemies upon them.
God wants His people to be compassionate, not expecting the government to do it for us, nor making money off those we care for. We are not to be foolish with our giving, lest we be taken advantage of, but we are to have a heart of mercy. God has had mercy on us, and extended grace when we did not deserve it. Because He has compassion on us, we are to have compassion on others, loving others as He first loved us. Wise as serpents and gentle as doves, we take steps to give wisely that those who are truly in need may be ministered to, but we don’t do it to advance our position or increase our accounts, knowing that God will provide and take care of His people. If we become just like the world, the world will still hate us, and they will also bear the reproach of God for failing to fear Him and not being different from the world which is at war with Him.
Because we are to be different, God’s will for His people is for us to minister to those around us who are hurting and in need as He provides, with the Word of reconciliation and righteousness, rightly divided and fitly spoken, that others may see Christ in us, the hope of Glory. Our GOD has commanded us to love one another with an unfeigned love, even as He first loved us, and to disciple one another in the Word of GOD so that we may all grow in grace and in the Knowledge of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. Our Lord has commissioned those who are His with the Gospel of Jesus Christ, to go where He sends us in the power of the Holy Spirit. As we go, we are to proclaim the Good News of forgiveness through repentance and reconciliation with the Father through faith in His Son, that those who believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Messiah of GOD might have life in His Name.
GOD is not willing that any should perish, but that all would come to repentance and the knowledge of the Truth. Jesus loves you and wants to establish a covenant relationship with you that is real and personal. Surrender to Him on His terms and He will give you a brand new life of discipleship and fellowship with Him that is abundant and everlasting. GOD calls you to faith in Christ and His finished and perfect work on the Cross of Calvary to pay your sIn debt. He has provided the only way of reconciliation with GOD, forgiveness from GOD, and Salvation through Jesus Christ, the Son of GOD who is GOD the Son, to give you a new life in Christ. Turn away from yourself and your sIn and turn to Him alone for eternal Life, now and always.
In Christ,
Jefferson Sweet
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