Nehemiah 5 & 6
Chapter 5
Nehemiah has been informed of all kinds of extortion that had been done against the people by the nations around them, and by their own Jewish brothers; even charging excessive interest. Some had even sold their children into slavery.
So Nehemiah consulted with myself and I rebuked the nobles and the rulers, for charging excessive interest of their own people (v. 7); and Nehemiah himself bought back the people who had been sold into slavery to the heathen around them.
And he had them make things right with one another, helping each other rather than profiting off their backs; so they could all benefit.
And Nehemiah didn't accept the pay that was to be given to the Governor (v. 15), but instead focused on the work to be done, building the wall.
He supported a lot of the people out of his own pocket because he realized how hard life was for the people, just beginning to rebuild their civilization from the ruins.
Chapter 6
Since they were still making progress on the wall, their enemies stepped up their opposition to them, even slandering Nehemiah and trying to lure him out to where they could assassinate him. But he was aware of what they were trying to do, and didn't fall into their trap.
And I am impressed with Nehemiah's continual awareness of the nearness of the Lord, praying one-sentence prayers scattered about as things progress (5:19, 6:14).
In spite of all these distractions, the wall was finished in a record 52 days! (v. 15.) Because Nehemiah never took his focus off of his purpose for being there.
O my Father, thank You for this story about Your man who took leave of his job serving a great king to come do a great work for You instead. His world would rank his near-to-the-king position as more important than building a wall around an "obscure" town far away. But he knew that this town was Your great city, and that You are a King above all kings, even the one he worked for.
Help me to always order my priorities aright, as Nehemiah did. Keep my eyes on Your ways, so that my focus will be sure. Strengthen me against all the distractions that try to take me away from Your purpose for me, and help me to finish the work You set before me to do, as Nehemiah did with the wall, and as Paul wrote that he also did (II Timothy 4:7).
Father, keep me securely in Your hand. Keep my focus on You and Your ways; You are my prize, You are my reward, You are the one I seek to know. Father, all your gifts and benefits are nice, but it is You I want.
Thank You, Father, for showing me that I will live with You where You are forever! You have given Yourself to me, and I give myself to You.
You are my Bridegroom forever, and I am Your bride forever.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
