Effective Christian Living - Nehemiah
5 - Chapter 5
The fifth chapter of Nehemiah reveals to us another strategy of Satan in his attempt to destroy the work of God. In the previous chapter we saw that he uses the direct opposition of God's enemies. There was psychological warfare as he ridiculed the effort of the Jews in their attempt to rebuild the walls. He employed physical threats to unnerve the workers. The opponents said in chapter 4 verse 11, "Before they know it or see us, we will be right there among them and will kill them". In all this Satan was unsuccessful. Nehemiah knew the strategy. The enemy of our souls never tires in his efforts to wear us down and frustrate us.
What is his technique here in chapter 5? His attack from outside failed, so he tries to work from inside the people of God. There is discord and division within the ranks. God's people fighting among themselves. They complain about three things. They need to go into the fields and harvest. They said in verse 2, "We and our sons and daughters are numerous; in order for us to eat and stay alive, we must get grain" Others said in verse three, "We are mortgaging our fields, our vineyards and our homes to get grain during the famine". They did this to raise money to buy seed-corn. Now they were near to being ruined. Still others complained in verse 5, "We have subjected our sons and daughters to slavery - we are powerless, because our fields and vineyards belong to others".
Nehemiah recognised that these complaints weren't directed to him personally. Verse 1 tells us, "Now the men and their wives raised a great outcry against their Jewish brothers". The wealthy nobles and officials who had lent their fellow brothers and sisters’ money were now taking their land and property. They were happily taking their sons and daughters and making them slaves. This was a callous, cold hearted treatment of their neighbours. They were all the people of the Lord and objects of His love and care.
The basic problem here was the sin of lovelessness. God had called the nation to the principle of love of your neighbour. We read in Leviticus Chapter 19 verse 18, "Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against one of your people, but love your neighbour as yourself. I am the Lord". The standard is still the same for you and your church. The Lord Jesus says in John 15 verse 12, "My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you". God's command to love was being ignored. There was sin in the camp. It had potential to destroy the work of God.
Sin among the people of God can be devastating. In Joshua chapter 7 we read of the sin of Achan. Israel was forbidden to take the devoted things when they conquered the city of Jericho. Achan disobeyed. When Israel went out to do battle against the city of Ai they were defeated. They wondered why. God told them in verse 11, "Israel has sinned - They have taken some of the devoted things; they have stolen; they have lied, they have put them with their own possessions. That is why the Israelites cannot stand against their enemies". This is why Satan tempts us to sin and manipulates our sinful responses. He wants to render you as ineffective as possible. He wants to weaken the witness of the Church as much as he can. He knows that nothing is as successful as creating discord, disunity, and division. He still operates on the principle of divide and conquer. A complaining, divided church lacks credibility to the outsider looking in.
Nehemiah says in verse 9, "Shouldn't you walk in the fear of our God to avoid the reproach of our Gentile enemies?" There is nothing as ugly and unattractive as sin in the church exposed to an onlooking world. Indeed, the enemies of the Gospel are looking for every opportunity to discredit Christians. If they can they will. Don't give them the opportunity. Love one another. Don't be cold and unkind to each other. The scripture says in Galatians 6 verse 2, "Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfil the law of Christ". Demonstrate real Christian love in you fellowship. Let the world see the reality of the love of Christ in your lives. The Lord Jesus said in John 13 verse 34, "As I have loved you, so you must love one another. All men will know that you are my disciples if you love one another". Do this and Satan will never be successful in ruining your work and witness for the Lord.
What is the solution to the problem of sin among God's people? Nehemiah said in verse 6, "When I heard their outcry, I was angry". There is a place for righteous anger. The Lord Jesus was angry when He saw the money-changers in the Temple and he overthrew their tables. The glory of God was threatened. It is never right to turn a blind eye to sin. There should always be a positive response to it. Nehemiah's anger moved him to do something to resolve the problem. Righteous anger is not losing your cool! It will always lead to dealing with the sin so that God's name is honoured and His work strengthened.
The sin that is badly affecting God's work must be identified and addressed. Nehemiah assessed the complaints and what prompted them. He said in verse 7, "I pondered them in my mind and then accused the nobles and officials". Paul says in Ephesians 5 verse 11, "Have nothing to do with the fruitless works of darkness, but rather expose them". Whatever is the cause of discord, division, and disunity amongst God's people it must be attended to in brotherly love. Sin must be seen for what it is. No excuse for it is justified. Nehemiah states clearly to the offenders in verse 9, "What you are doing is not right". There should be regret and a change of attitude. The nobles said in verse 12, "We will give it back, and we will not demand any more from them". Stop sinning, change direction, and do what God asks of you. Acknowledge your own failings.
Following the example of godly leaders will keep you on the right road. Nehemiah says to the offenders in verse 10, "I and my brothers and my men are also lending the people money and grain. But let the exacting of usury stop". It’s clear Nehemiah refused to place the people under an unbearable load himself. He says in verse 15, "The earlier governors, those preceding me, placed a heavy burden on the people and took forty shekels of silver from them in addition to food and wine but our of reverence for God I did not act like that". Nehemiah didn't contribute in any way to the discord and ill-feeling among the Jews. In Hebrews 13 verse 7 we read, "Remember your leaders, who spoke the Word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their life and imitate their faith".
The result of new dedication to the Lord is unity and praise. In verse 13 we read, "The whole assembly said 'Amen', and praised the Lord". The work of the Gospel will flourish when God's people are wholly united in serving Him. Rather than complaints, murmuring and discord, there will be praise to God for all the great things He has done.