Nehemiah 5:9

“Also I said, It is not good that ye do: ought ye not to walk in the fear of our God because of the reproach of the heathen our enemies?”

In this verse, Nehemiah, who was a cupbearer to the Persian king Artaxerxes, is addressing the people of Judah during the time when he was leading the rebuilding of the walls of Jerusalem. Nehemiah encountered a significant problem among the people: they were oppressing their fellow Jews and burdening them with excessive interest rates on loans, thus taking advantage of their poverty. Nehemiah recognised this as a grave injustice, and in verse 9, he admonishes the people for their behaviour.

Context:

Before we dive into the verse, it’s important to understand the background of Nehemiah’s mission. After receiving news about the distressed state of Jerusalem’s walls, Nehemiah obtained permission from King Artaxerxes to return and oversee the rebuilding efforts. Nehemiah faced opposition from external enemies, but he also had to address internal conflicts and social injustices within the Jewish community.

“It is not good that ye do”: Nehemiah starts by firmly stating that the actions of the people were not good. He was straightforward in his condemnation of their behaviour. This shows his commitment to upholding justice and righteousness among the people.

“Ought ye not to walk in the fear of our God”: Nehemiah challenges the people by reminding them of their responsibility to fear God. Walking in the fear of God means living in reverence and obedience to His commands. Nehemiah implies that if they truly feared God, they would not act unjustly towards their fellow Jews.

“Because of the reproach of the heathen our enemies”: Nehemiah points out the consequences of their actions on the reputation of God and His people. The neighbouring nations, who were considered heathen or Gentiles, were observing the behaviour of the Jewish community. If the people of Judah engaged in unjust practices, it would bring reproach upon God’s name and undermine their testimony as His chosen people.

Lessons from Nehemiah 5:

• Upholding justice and righteousness:Nehemiah’s response highlights the importance of justice within a community. As followers of God, it is our responsibility to treat others with fairness, compassion, and integrity.
• Walking in the fear of God:Nehemiah’s challenge reminds us of the need to live in awe of God, recognising His authority and obeying His commandments. The fear of God should shape our actions and guide our decisions.
• Being mindful of our witness:Nehemiah emphasises that the behaviour of God’s people should reflect His character and bring honour to His name. Our actions should not give the enemies of God a reason to reproach Him or tarnish our testimony as His followers.
• Application to our lives

Nehemiah’s words in verse 9 serve as a reminder for us today. We should examine our actions and attitudes, ensuring that we treat others justly and walk in the fear of God. Our behaviour should align with the principles and values taught in Scripture, so that we may be effective witnesses for Christ and bring glory to God’s name.

By studying Nehemiah 5:9 and the surrounding context, we can gain insights into the importance of justice, the fear of God, and the impact of our actions on our witness as believers.