MINDING OUR OWN BUSINESS
Nehemiah 5:1-19
S: Courage
Th: Brave Hearts
Pr: WE MUST HAVE THE COURAGE TO CONFRONT SIN.
?: Inductive
KW: Steps
TS: We will find in our study of Nehemiah 5:1-19 four unfolding steps that demonstrate what Nehemiah does when confronted with a problem from within.
The _____ step is…
I. ABUSE (1-5)
II. ACCUSATION (6-11)
III. ADMONITION (12-13)
IV. AWE (14-19)
Version: ESV
RMBC 16 Feb 03 AM
INTRODUCTION:
Have you ever noticed that sin has a way of catching up to you?
ILL Notebook: Sin (Fowl Play)
A forest ranger is making rounds in a remote part of the wooded reserve when he comes across an unkempt man, sitting at a make-shift campfire, and, to the ranger’s horror, eating a fish and a bald eagle. The man is consequently put in jail for the crime. He was soon brought to trial for his crime...
The Judge asked the man "Do you know that eating a bald eagle is a federal offense?"
"Yes I do." replied the man, "but if you let me argue my case, I’ll explain what happened."
"You may proceed."
"I got lost in the woods, and hadn’t had anything real to eat for two weeks," the man explained. "I was so hungry, I was eating plants to stay alive. Next thing I see is a Bald Eagle swooping down at the lake grabbing some fish. I thought if I startled the Eagle I could maybe steal the fish. Low and behold, the eagle lighted upon a nearby tree stump to eat the fish. I threw a stone toward the eagle hoping he would drop the fish and fly away. Unfortunately, in my weakened condition, my aim was off; and the rock hit the eagle squarely on his poor little head, and killed it. I thought long and hard about what had happened, but figured that since I killed it I might as well eat it since it would be more disgraceful to let it rot on the ground."
The judge says he will take a recess to analyze the defendant’s testimony. 15 minutes goes by and the judge returns:
"Due to the extreme circumstance you were under and because you didn’t intend to kill the eagle, the court will dismiss the charges." The Judge then leans over the bench and whispers: "If you don’t mind my asking, what does a bald eagle taste like?"
"Well your honor, it is hard to explain. The best I can describe it’s a bit more tender than a California Condor but lacks the tang of a Spotted Owl."
Ah, yes, sin does catch up, doesn’t it?
TRANSITION:
Last week, we gave consideration to Nehemiah 4.
We found in chapter 4 that…
1. Context: The rebuilding of the wall of Jerusalem was slowed by an external attack.
The text tells us that the builders were harassed, threatened and ridiculed.
It worked for a short while, but soon they were back to work.
Then the enemies stepped up the intimidation to include physical violence.
This too worked for a short while.
Nehemiah, though, successfully guided them through teaching the people that no one can deal with such threats by themselves.
We need each other.
When one is standing guard, the other can sleep.
When one holds the weapon, the other uses the tools.
Together, they possessed the courage to confront the fear, and they were able to keep to the task of their holy ambition, the rebuilding of the walls of Jerusalem.
This part of the narrative demonstrates to us that…
2. We must recognize that when God’s agenda is being fulfilled, opposition will come from many directions.
When God’s plans are moved forward, opposition comes.
The reason why is that the opposition views it as a step backwards for them.
They are going to lose something – power, prestige, influence…
Last week, we noticed that the opposition came externally…from outside the walls.
This week, the opposition comes from within.
An agenda that was contrary to God’s agenda had crept in among the people.
And just like the conflict we studied last week, it stops the work.
So…
3. We will find in our study of Nehemiah 5:1-19 four unfolding steps that demonstrate what Nehemiah does when confronted with a problem from within.
It was a serious problem.
Work had ground to a halt.
For as time passed, resentment had grown.
OUR STUDY:
I. The first step is ABUSE (1-5).
[1] Now there arose a great outcry of the people and of their wives against their Jewish brothers. [2] For there were those who said, "With our sons and our daughters, we are many. So let us get grain, that we may eat and keep alive." [3] There were also those who said, "We are mortgaging our fields, our vineyards, and our houses to get grain because of the famine." [4] And there were those who said, "We have borrowed money for the king’s tax on our fields and our vineyards. [5] Now our flesh is as the flesh of our brothers, our children are as their children. Yet we are forcing our sons and our daughters to be slaves, and some of our daughters have already been enslaved, but it is not in our power to help it, for other men have our fields and our vineyards."
1. Success was about to be prevented because of…
…the severe economic pressure.
Basically, it is the wives that are pointing this out.
They are sensitive to the injustice, because the home is in distress.
People, all around Jerusalem, had taken a step of faith.
They left their normal trades, professions, and farms, to make sure that the rebuilt wall would be done quickly and properly.
But back home outside the walls, there was…
1.1 Hunger
There had been a famine, and as a result, the food was scarce.
And the mothers were saying, “We have to eat!”
But to get food, families had to go into…
1.2 Debt
In order to have enough food, the men were compelled to mortgage their fields, vineyards, and even their homes in order to raise enough money to feed their families.
This mortgaging of property was coming at a high prices as the merchants had inflated the price of grain.
The complaint doesn’t stop there.
Not only were the prices high, but the taxation from Persia was also depleting their resources.
Some, actually, had become so destitute, that there was an issue of…
1.3 Slavery
It had gotten so bad that people were mortgaging their children.
And so the mothers are asking, “Why do our children have to be slaves?”
They were asking, “If we are doing such a good thing in rebuilding this wall, how come we are being treated so poorly?”
They were right.
They were being treated poorly.
The lure of money can be so subtle.
Greed can set in, and perspective is lost.
And in this case, there were those that were making lots of money by demanding exorbitant interest.
They were taking advantage of the times.
They were tough.
But instead of being a helping hand, the people with resources were hurting others.
And not only that…
2. The practices were in direct violation of Scripture.
In Exodus 22:25, it states:
“If you lend money to any of my people with you who is poor, you shall not be like a moneylender to him, and you shall not exact interest from him.”
It was clear that there were people with resources that were indifferent to the Word of God.
Which brings us to…
II. The second step is ACCUSATION (6-9).
[6] I was very angry when I heard their outcry and these words. [7] 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 [8] 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. [9] 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?
1. One can be properly angered by injustice.
Nehemiah is really outraged.
But you have to appreciate his wisdom.
He refuses to act merely on the emotion.
The anger has him started, but it is not enough for a response.
So the text tells us that he thinks it through.
His mind has been stirred, so he takes time for intellectual reflection.
He thinks before he says anything.
He thinks before he acts.
And he does not back down, because…
2. Sin must be confronted for what it is.
Nehemiah could not allow this continued violation of God’s law and the violation of human rights to continue.
So, he communicates it directly.
The first confrontation is face-to-face (you will note that he did not talk to everybody else and then go to them).
These nobles and officials were charging interest, a direct violation of God’s Word.
It was wrong because these were brothers and sisters made in the image of God.
They were not objects to be pawned off.
Instead, though, these leaders had been pressing their financial advantage for their own benefit.
It had to stop, for the nation of Israel could not give in to the “me-first” mentality, especially from its leaders.
After the private confrontation, Nehemiah goes public.
Why?
He goes public because it is a public matter.
It was a matter that there was an “oughtness” connected to it.
It had to be made right.
It was a matter that had put the whole community at risk.
It was tearing at the very fabric of the society, abusing the stability of the family unit.
But not only that, it was an offense against God’s character.
Those who were doing this, were doing it in direct disobedience to what God had commanded.
It was like it didn’t matter to them.
They did not fear God.
Again, the commands are very clear.
In Leviticus 25 (35-38), it says:
“If your brother becomes poor and cannot maintain himself with you, you shall support him as though he were a stranger and a sojourner, and he shall live with you. [36] Take no interest from him or profit, but fear your God, that your brother may live beside you. [37] You shall not lend him your money at interest, nor give him your food for profit. [38] I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt to give you the land of Canaan, and to be your God.”
Nehemiah adds to this just what a lousy testimony it all is.
This activity nullified Israel’s witness to an unbelieving world.
For look how they treat each other.
Who could believe in the kind, merciful, compassionate and saving God of Israel if His people were not kind, merciful and compassionate?
Their response, of course, says it all.
They had nothing to say.
They knew what they were doing was wrong.
The nobles and officials were guilty as charged.
Now we come to…
III. The third step is ADMONITION (10-13).
[10] Moreover, I and my brothers and my servants are lending them money and grain. Let us abandon this exacting of interest. [11] 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." [12] 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. [13] 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.
We see here that…
1. Relationships that have gone wrong must be corrected.
Repentance was needed and restitution was a must.
This had to be set right.
These leaders needed to understand that if one bleeds, they all bleed.
The next section in our text, the language is a bit ambiguous.
The wording can be interpreted in such a way that it looks like Nehemiah has been charging interest it too, and so he is confessing his own mistake and bringing it out in the open rather than hiding it.
This is certainly one way to look at it it, and it is a legitimate view.
My conclusion, however, is that it is not a personal issue with him, but rather a community problem that involves him.
He uses himself as an example of doing it properly.
So, then, he is saying, “Let us get this right.”
“Let’s all get on the same page and be doing the same thing.”
Regardless, there must be a resolution.
And they do agree to do as Nehemiah says.
But Nehemiah is not going to let them off the hook yet, for this is not a time for tentative suggestions or vague promises.
2. Decisions of this magnitude must be reinforced.
Nehemiah used his robe as a symbol for a public demonstration.
Everyone needed to realize how serious this promise was.
He takes his robe and flips it upside-down.
And what he communicates is this…
If they did not keep this promise, they would become as destitute as the poorest Israelite.
They would be shaken out and emptied, robbed of property and possessions.
In other words, if they did not follow God’s Word and assist the poor among them, they would become poor.
The text tells us that they not only agreed to all of this; they did it too!
Conviction came, and they changed their ways.
Now we come to the end and…
IV. The fourth step is AWE (14-19).
[14] Moreover, from the time that I was appointed to be their governor in the land of Judah, from the twentieth year to the thirty-second year of Artaxerxes the king, twelve years, neither I nor my brothers ate the food allowance of the governor. [15] The former governors who were before me laid heavy burdens on the people and took from them for their daily ration forty shekels of silver. Even their servants lorded it over the people. But I did not do so, because of the fear of God. [16] I also persevered in the work on this wall, and we acquired no land, and all my servants were gathered there for the work. [17] Moreover, there were at my table 150 men, Jews and officials, besides those who came to us from the nations that were around us. [18] Now what was prepared at my expense for each day was one ox and six choice sheep and birds, and every ten days all kinds of wine in abundance. Yet for all this I did not demand the food allowance of the governor, because the service was too heavy on this people. [19] Remember for my good, O my God, all that I have done for this people.
It is at this point that we get some clarification.
We find out why Nehemiah has been able to gather attention and hold these public meetings.
He is the governor.
Though we have mentioned it before, this is the first obvious mention in the text.
He has been appointed by Artaxerxes to be the governor of Israel.
So when he calls a meeting, people come.
But what also becomes clear is Nehemiah’s motivation.
He was not in this to win favor, or gain reelection.
His motivation is a healthy fear of God.
And he shows us that…
1. We are to love God.
Loving God is practical.
For when we love God, we will honor His name.
When we love God, we will obey His Word.
And as a result, we will keep to the vision He has put on our heart.
With holy ambition, we will keep working for His glory.
And when it is on our heart to love God, then we will also love the people He loves.
For…
2. We are to love each other.
Nehemiah was not in Jerusalem to get, but to give.
He wasn’t there for profit, power or prestige.
He could have taxed people to keep his government going, and fill his pockets, but he has not done so.
Apparently, he has used his own private resources, feeding 150 officials a day, so to not be a burden on the people.
This portion of the text ends with another short prayer.
He simply asks that God remember, because for him, the relationship with God was His priority.
APPLICATION:
This must be true for us as well.
If God is our priority, then…
1. WE MUST HAVE THE COURAGE TO CONFRONT SIN.
We must not let it go unattended.
It is too costly to all that are involved and affected.
When God has given us a passion and a purpose, it is a privilege, not a right.
It is a responsibility, not playtime.
ILL Notebook: Priority (Nabokov)
One summer in the 1940a, Vladimir Nabakov, a Russian-born novelist and his family stayed with James Laughlin in Alta, Utah. Nabakov came there to take the opportunity to enlarge his collection of butterflies and moths.
One evening, at dusk he returned from his day’s excursion saying that during hot pursuit near Bear Gulch, he had heard someone groaning most piteously down by the stream.
“Did you stop?” Laughlin asked.
“No, I had to get the butterfly.”
The next day, the corpse of an aged prospector was discovered in what has been renamed, in Nabakov’s honor, Dead Man’s Gulch.
While people around us are dying, how often we chase butterflies!
The nobles and officials had let sin come into their hearts, and it almost caused the death of a nation.
While people were dying, they were chasing butterflies.
But Nehemiah has given us a clear example.
Sin cannot be ignored, because there is never a right time to do wrong.
Correspondingly, there is never a wrong time to do right.
So let us remember…
2. Unchecked sin dishonors God, hinders the community and prevents us from fulfilling our holy ambition.
Let us be holy as He is holy.
Let us be merciful as God is merciful.
Let us be righteous for our Lord is righteous.
We are made in His image.
Therefore let us honor God.
And let us not be caught being inconsistent.
For inconsistent lifestyles damage the effectiveness of witness.
ILL Notebook: Testimony (Vanuaken)
“The best argument for Christianity is Christians; their joy, their certainty, their completeness. But the strongest argument against Christianity is also Christians – when they are somber and joyless, when they are self-righteous and smug in complacent consecration, when they are narrow and repressive, then Christianity dies a thousand deaths.”
God has purpose for each one of us, calling us to network together, using the passion He has given us, the personality we are born with and the spiritual gifts we are blessed with.
But when we pick our way and our desires over God’s Word, we have chosen an agenda contrary to God’s.
And we all suffer.
If you are going contrary to God’s ways, and you know it, then be assured of this.
You are rebelling against God.
You are hurting those around you.
And you are unable to accomplish things so great that you can’t even imagine them.
So, if there is sin in your life today, have the courage to confront it.
Make it right and let the building continue.
BENEDICTION: [Counselors are ]
Confront the sin…because sin destroys us individually and it destroys the community; let us instead live with courage, fulfilling our holy ambition to build the kingdom of God.
Now may the God of peace equip you with everything good for doing his will, and may he work in us what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
