Extortion rebuked.
Rulers of men have no easy task. No sooner have they provided a remedy for one evil than another presents itself. Nehemiah found this to be the case. He had preserved the city from the enemies outside, and was fast proceeding with the fortifications which would be a permanent protection; but before they were completed a cry arose within which called his attention to dangers quite as threatening. Of what avail to have secured the people from the foreign foe if they were to destroy one another by extortion and dissension? The wisdom and courage of the governor, however, proved equal to the occasion. Observe—
I. THE LOUD COMPLAINT MADE (verses 1-5). A large number of the people "and of their wives" came to Nehemiah and complained bitterly of their condition, and of the extortion to which they were subjected by their rich and noble brethren. The complainers were of three classes. Some who were originally poor found themselves, with large families, unable to obtain food for them on account of the pressure of the times. They desired that corn might be distributed among them. Others had borrowed money to obtain food, and given up their lands and houses in pledge. A third class had taken a like course to enable them to pay the taxes of the Persian monarch. Some (of each class probably) had already been compelled to obtain supplies by selling sons, and even daughters, as servants, and saw no resource but to sell others of their children. Moreover, contrary to the Mosaic law, heavy interest was being charged for the loans. The rich were taking advantage of the necessities of their poorer brethren to enrich themselves yet more, regardless of the suffering and humiliation they were inflicting. The sufferers felt and said that they were of the same flesh and blood as their rich oppressors, and their children as dear to them.
II. THE EFFECT ON NEHEMIAH OF THIS COMPLAINT. "I was very angry" (verse 6). A very just anger; the anger of a righteous man at flagrant wrong; of a noble and generous spirit at base rapacity; of a lover of the people, who was making great sacrifices for their good, against those who cared not for the welfare of the community, so that they could accumulate wealth for themselves and their families; of one who feared God, that his name should be dishonoured by the very people whose mission was to exalt it.
III. THE COURSE HE TOOK.
1. He carefully considered the matter (verse 7).
2. He rebuked the offenders (verse 7).
3. He called an assembly upon the case.
4. He publicly remonstrated with the offenders.
IV. THE RESULTS.
1. The self-conviction of the offenders (verse 8).
2. Their promise to comply with his proposals (verse 12). A promise solemnly ratified by—
(1) An oath administered by the priests.
3. The joy and thankfulness of the people (verse 13). They responded "Amen" to the malediction, and "praised Jehovah.
4. The performance of the promise (verse 13).
Lessons:—
1. The hideousness of avarice. "The love of money is the root of all evil." It here appears as inhumanity, oppression, violation of Divine law, disregard of the claims of patriotism. Especially odious and injurious in nobles and rulers, who ought to be examples of generosity, protectors of the poor, and promoters in every way of the general good.
2. The duty of discountenancing and suppressing this vice. Rulers and magistrates are peculiarly bound to do so.
3. The power of good example. Gives confidence in reproving iniquity and urging amendment, and force to reproofs and appeals.