Time and time again we see that when Satan fails with an aggressive frontal attack, he adopts a more subtle and deceitful manner, and nothing seems more effective than sowing discord among the saints of God. The fifth chapter of Nehemiah is a parenthetical chapter, though just as important to the story; in it we find that Nehemiah must address the abuses of the Jews against their brethren. If in the previous chapter we see the shield, girdle, and sword of the Christian’s armor, here we have the breastplate of righteousness.
There was a drought in the land and the purchase of corn had become a burden to the poor (Neh. 5:3). Some found it necessary to mortgage their property to buy food (Neh. 5:4). Others had committed their sons and daughters to be servants (Neh. 5:5). Finally, some had borrowed money to pay the kings tribute.
There appears to have been quite a distinction between the rich and the poor. Riches are a danger: “They that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare” (1 Tim. 6:9). James warns against both gathering riches and of oppressing the poor: “Go to now, ye rich men, weep and howl for your miseries that shall come upon you ... Behold, the hire of the labourers who have reaped down your fields, which is of you kept back by fraud, crieth: and the cries of them which have reaped are entered into the ears of the Lord of sabaoth” (James 5:1,4).
The Jew was given explicit direction in the Law as to how the poor were to be treated (Deut. 15). Not only were they to open their hand wide (vss. 78) but the seventh year was a year of release; all debts were to be forgiven as a “release to Jehovah” (Deut. 15:2). Under law they were also forbidden to lend with usury. If, while under law, such grace was to be shown in such matters, how much more so in this day in which we live!
Nehemiah was filled with righteous indignation at the behavior of his fellows and he consulted with himself (Neh. 5:7). His corrupt brethren were of no help to him in this matter; rather, he was shut up to the Word of God for guidance. The nobles and rulers should have been shepherds. Instead, they had lorded it over God’s heritage (1 Peter 5:3). “We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves” (Rom. 15:1).
We should also walk in the fear of God, honoring Him, lest we cause our enemies to blaspheme God and to reproach us because of our behavior (Neh. 5:9; Rom. 2:24). Nehemiah’s own conduct in liberating his brethren from the service of the heathen stands in stark contrast, and yet, he identifies himself with his brethren and says, “Let us leave off this usury” (Neh. 5:10). When there is a them and an us, Satan has succeeded in his work — the saints are divided. Nehemiah also instructs the rulers to restore the lands and houses and to repay the interest exacted. Leaving off isn’t sufficient; there must also be restitution.