Nehemiah 5:5
“And now our flesh is like the flesh of our brothers, our children like their children. Yet behold, we are forcing our sons and our daughters to be slaves, and some of our daughters are forced into bondage already, and we are helpless because our fields and vineyards belong to others.”
There has always been corruption. In all communities it’s happened to the rich, poor and middle class. Probably the most common is the rich making life difficult for the poor. We see that in today’s passage. The powerful were making life difficult for the common people.
I don’t want to leave the blame to them too quickly as we are all sinners capable of sin. Where are we taking advantage of others? David was called out by Nathan the prophet. We see David’s repentant heart in Psalm 139: 23,24, “Search me, God, and know my heart; Put me to the test and know my anxious thoughts; And see if there is any hurtful way in me, And lead me in the everlasting way.” That’s a great prayer. We should ask God if we are sinning.
David had a blind spot. He knew he sinned, but he covered it up and appeared to forget it. We can do that as well. We should go to God and ask for Him to reveal anything to us. I admit that this is uncomfortable for when I was a young believer, I went overboard. I didn’t understand God’s love and forgiveness. I was looking for problems that weren’t there. It was a mix of an overly harsh self perception and condemnation from the enemy. That being said asking for God to search our hearts is good.
Today’s passage included systemic abuses which were common place. The wealthy made the economy such that common people had to mortgage their property to survive. Their children were inheriting debt. Our present culture seems similar.
Nehemiah calls them out. Instead of being bought off, he steps in and defends the common person. Help us to be defenders, Lord. Philippians 2:4 says, “Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.” Help us to be those people.