Nehemiah 3:15-5:13
1.(2011) Shouldn't this be a rallying cry for covenant families? Isn't it obvious that Nehemiah appealed to the Jews love of family to defend themselves?:
After I looked things over, I stood up and said to the nobles, the officials and the rest of the people, “Don’t be afraid of them. Remember the Lord, who is great and awesome, and fight for your families, your sons and your daughters, your wives and your homes.”2.(2011) Usury. People and especially Evangelicals have forgotten how usury was considered slothful back at our country's founding. It started in England with the Whigs. Here is Nehemiah confronting the people over 1% interest rates:
“You are charging your own people interest!” So I called together a large meeting to deal with them 8 and said: “As far as possible, we have bought back our fellow Jews who were sold to the Gentiles. Now you are selling your own people, only for them to be sold back to us!” They kept quiet, because they could find nothing to say.3.(2011) Oaths and promises.
9 So I continued, “What you are doing is not right. Shouldn’t you walk in the fear of our God to avoid the reproach of our Gentile enemies? 10 I and my brothers and my men are also lending the people money and grain. But let us stop charging interest! 11 Give back to them immediately their fields, vineyards, olive groves and houses, and also the interest you are charging them—one percent of the money, grain, new wine and olive oil.”
Then I summoned the priests and made the nobles and officials take an oath to do what they had promised. 13 I also shook out the folds of my robe and said, “In this way may God shake out of their house and possessions anyone who does not keep this promise. So may such a person be shaken out and emptied!”1 Corinthians 7:25-40
At this the whole assembly said, “Amen,” and praised the LORD. And the people did as they had promised.
1.(2011) Indifference toward the world. Matthew Henry comments:
Buying and possessing should not too much engage our minds. They hinder many people altogether from minding the better part. Purchasing land and trying oxen kept the guests invited from the wedding-supper, Lu. 14:18, 19. And, when they do not altogether hinder men from minding their chief business, they do very much divert them from a close pursuit. Those are most likely to run so as to obtain the prize who ease their minds of all foreign cares and cumbrances.2.(2011) Time is short. Henry again comments on this passage:
We have but little time to continue in this world; but a short season for possessing and enjoying worldly things; kairos synestalmenos. It is contracted, reduced to a narrow compass. It will soon be gone. It is just ready to be wrapped up in eternity. Therefore do not set your hearts on worldly enjoyments. Do not be overwhelmed with worldly cares and troubles. Possess what you must shortly leave without suffering yourselves to be possessed by it. Why should your hearts be much set on what you must quickly resign?Psalm 32:1-11
1.(2011) An excellent song of repentance this!
Proverbs 21:5-7
Years Read
2011, 2025
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