THE PROBLEMS FACING THE POORER PEOPLE (NEHEMIAH 5:1). The three examples that follow are representative of a whole range of problems rather than being specific, but underlying them are the problems that the poor faced, especially when there was drought or famine. Compare the situation in the time o... [ Continue Reading ]
ONE UNFORESEEN CONSEQUENCE OF THE CONCENTRATION ON THE BUILDING OF THE WALL PROVES NEHEMIAH'S WORTH (NEHEMIAH 5:1). Nehemiah is now revealed, not only as a great leader, but as a man of compassion. Like many rich men he had probably not considered the effect on the poorer Jews of the concentration... [ Continue Reading ]
NEHEMIAH EXPRESSES HIS ANGER, ADMITS HIS OWN PART IN CAUSING THE PROBLEM, AND PROPOUNDS A SOLUTION (NEHEMIAH 5:6). When Nehemiah heard their pleas, he was angry, both with himself and with others. He immediately recognised that he and other comparatively wealthy Jews had, probably mainly inadvertent... [ Continue Reading ]
NEHEMIAH CONTINUED ON AS GOVERNOR IN THE SAME SPIRIT THAT HE HAD EXHORTED ON THE WEALTHY, REFUSING TO ALLOW HIS POSITION TO BE A CHARGE ON THE PEOPLE (NEHEMIAH 5:14). It is probable that having fulfilled his original intention of restoring the walls of Jerusalem Nehemiah returned to the king accompa... [ Continue Reading ]