There
was a great famine. The wealthier Jews were taking advantage of the poor
economy to oppress the poorer ones. As a result, the poor Jews were forced to
mortgage their lands to their richer brethren, and some even sold their
children as slaves to pay the royal taxes and to buy food. Hence, the rich were
getting richer, and the poor were getting poorer.
When
Nehemiah heard of it, he was very angry and rebuked them sharply. He said their
actions had caused the heathens to blaspheme the name of God: “What you have
done is wrong! We must honour our God by the way we live, so the Gentiles can't
find fault with us” (verse 9, CEV).
It
is not good that ye do – What the rich did to the poor was wrong. It was
wickedness. Instead of being a blessing to the less fortunate, instead of being
fine examples of God-fearing men, their disobedience brought about
heart-breaking misery within the community.
Have
we consider the things that we do? Some do not seem to understand that even if
it is within their rights, it may still not be right. Paul wrote: “All
things are lawful for me, but all things are not expedient: all things are
lawful for me, but all things edify not” (1 Corinthians 10:23). As an
apostle, Paul could force his way and insist that things be done his way, but
he did not. His mind was always on others and he would not do anything that
would stumble another Christian.
Every
mature Christian ought to have the same mind as the apostle Paul. Christ warns:
“But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it
were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he
were drowned in the depth of the sea” (Matthew 18:6).
Ought
ye not to walk in the fear of our God – To walk in the fear of God is to
heed His commandments. Evidently, the rich were transgressing the commandment
recorded in Deuteronomy 23:19 by charging interest on their fellow brethren.
They were ignoring God’s command not to oppress their poor brethren. They were
not walking in the fear of God.
The
Hebrew writer says that we are to serve God with reverence and godly fear
(Hebrews 12:28). One reason why men choose to disobey
God’s commandments and worship God according to his own pleasing is they do not
fear God. Christ says their worship is in vain, that is, worthless (Matthew
15:8-9). Those who fear God will keep His commandments: “Fear God, and keep
his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man” (Ecclesiastes 12:13).
because
of the reproach of the heathen our enemies – What the rich did had caused
shame and brought criticisms from the enemies. They were supposed to be
brethren and the rich, with all their blessings, should help their poorer
brethren. The enemies were laughing: “They are killing themselves without us
doing it.”
We
should be careful not to give the enemies of our faith an occasion to speak
evil of our faith and God. David’s sin of adultery and murder gave occasion for
his enemies to blaspheme God (2 Samuel 12:14). Dishonesty, selfishness,
divisions, contention among Christians, laziness, immorality, and many such
like sins tarnish the name of Christianity. Nothing seems to turn people away
from Christianity more than observing a Christian who does not live to his
profession.
We
must honour God by the way we live. It is our primary duty, and should be our
most earnest desire, to let our light shine that men may glorify Christ: “Let
your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify
your Father which is in heaven” (Matthew 5:16).
Jimmy Lau
Psa
119:97 Oh how love I thy law! It is my meditation all the day.
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