Restoring Hope

 

I was very angry when I heard their outcry and these words. I took counsel with myself, and I brought charges against the nobles and the officials. I said to them, “You are exacting interest, each from his brother.” And I held a great assembly against them and said to them, “We, as far as we are able, have bought back our Jewish brothers who have been sold to the nations, but you even sell your brothers that they may be sold to us!” They were silent and could not find a word to say. So I said, “The 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? Moreover, I and my brothers and my servants are lending them money and grain. Let us abandon this exacting of interest. Return to them this very day their fields, their vineyards, their olive orchards, and their houses, and the percentage of money, grain, wine, and oil that you have been exacting from them.” Then they said, “We will restore these and require nothing from them. We will do as you say.” And I called the priests and made them swear to do as they had promised. I also shook out the fold of my garment and said, “So may God shake out every man from his house and from his labor who does not keep this promise. So may he be shaken out and emptied.” And all the assembly said “Amen” and praised the LORD. And the people did as they had promised. (Nehemiah 5:6–13 ESV).

 

In our reading today we find a very important message for our current culture. The entire chapter tells the story of how people were struggling to make ends meet and that many of their fellow Jews were taking advantage of them. It is important to note that Nehemiah was not silent. He addressed this matter of injustice with grace and firmness.

 

First, Nehemiah took seriously the cries of injustice. Rich nobles and officials were mistreating many of their poorer brothers and sisters, charging interest on debts and even selling their children into slavery for payment. Nehemiah heard their cries for justice.

 

Second, Nehemiah acted. Justice must be addressed with appropriate remedies. Nehemiah gathered the nobles and officials and pointed out that they were not acting in a God-fearing manner. Nehemiah told them to give back the fields and houses—and the interest they had charged. The rich nobles and officials took Nehemiah’s words to heart. They responded by giving back what had been taken from the poor people who cried out. Justice is an important value to God. Jesus came to bring justice into the world, and he calls us to follow his example. We are to work toward justice where it is in short supply. We must call people back to the will and purpose of God. That restores hope!