Judah Under Nehemiah's Leadership Have Developed a Strong Defense

______VANTAGE POINT: Nehemiah

INTRODUCTION: • Judah under Nehemiah’s leadership have developed a strong defense against the attack of their enemies • Just when they are finally able to withstand threats from the outside, problems begin to develop internally • Now that it’s safe to continue to build again, the citizens of Judah bring some ominous complaints to Nehemiah • In chapter 5, Nehemiah confronts the complainers and overcomes the conflict in Judah

Nehemiah 5:1–5 (NKJV) 5 And there was a great outcry of the people and their wives against their Jewish brethren. 2 For there were those who said, “We, our sons, and our daughters are many; therefore let us get grain, that we may eat and live.” 3 There were also some who said, “We have mortgaged our lands and vineyards and houses, that we might buy grain because of the famine.” 4 There were also those who said, “We have borrowed money for the king’s tax on our lands and vineyards. 5 Yet now our flesh is as the flesh of our brethren, our children as their children; and indeed we are forcing our sons and our daughters to be slaves, and some of our daughters have been brought into slavery. It is not in our power to redeem them, for other men have our lands and vineyards.”

• The people cried out against their Jewish bretheren who had been profiting from the misfortune of the people • Even the wives cried out… so you know it’s really bad

There are 3 groups of protesters • The first group complained: we need food for our large families • The second group complained: We have mortgaged our property for good • The third group complained: We have to borrow money to pay our taxes meaning they had to pay the “King’s tax,” a property tax based on the productivity of the land • All of this financial hardship resulted in them having to sell their children into slavery to pay off their debts

______VANTAGE POINT: Nehemiah

• Now this was not an uncommon practice, and it was strictly regulated under the law • But the phrase in Vs. 5 – some of our daughters have been brought into slavery implies that their daughters had been forced to marry their owners or that they had been sexually molested • For this reason, the complaints are intensified • Listen Nehemiah, we’re all going under

How did this happen? • Vs. 3 says there was a famine in the land • It’s possible that the problems between Nehemiah and his surrounding neighbors suggest that a trade embargo was imposed on the Jews • They weren’t getting the food they needed to have to survive • When these financial hardships overwhelmed the nation, those with financial resources jumped at the chance to profit from the misfortune of their fellow Jews • They loaned money to their fellows Jews and took property as security • We see it in our country today • Those who seek to profit off the misfortunes of others

Faced with famine, starvation, financial ruin Nehemiah responds Nehemiah 5:6–13 (NKJV) 6 And I became very angry when I heard their outcry and these words. 7 After serious thought, I rebuked the nobles and rulers, and said to them, “Each of you is exacting usury from his brother.” So I called a great assembly against them. 8 And I said to them, “According to our ability we have redeemed our Jewish brethren who were sold to the nations. Now indeed, will you even sell your brethren? Or should they be sold to us?” Then they were silenced and found nothing to say. 9 Then I said, “What you are doing is not good. Should you not walk in the fear of our God because of the reproach of the nations, our enemies? 10 I also, with my brethren and my servants, am lending them money and grain. Please, let us stop this usury! 11 Restore now to them, even this day, their lands, their vineyards, their olive groves, and their houses, also a hundredth of the money and the grain, the new wine and the oil, that you have charged them.” 12 So they said, “We will restore it, and will require nothing from them; we will do as you say.”

______VANTAGE POINT: Nehemiah

Then I called the priests, and required an oath from them that they would do according to this promise. 13 Then I shook out the fold of my garment and said, “So may God shake out each man from his house, and from his property, who does not perform this promise. Even thus may he be shaken out and emptied.” And all the assembly said, “Amen!” and praised the LORD. Then the people did according to this promise.

(Vs. 6) When Nehemiah heard the cries of the people he became angry • It was righteous indignation because the people were being taken advantage of • Rather than immediately jump into action, Nehemiah put serious thought to the problem • How often do we jump to conclusions without putting serious thought to the problems we face? • How often do we act without consulting God? Without praying? • The mark of a great leader is one who does not react to a problem, but things and then responds

(Vs. 7) He confronts the problem and those who are directly involved… the nobles and rulers • They were charging exorbitant interest rates and putting an insurmountable burden on the people • I think of the decisions being made by our government, putting insurmountable burdens on the people • These same nobles and rulers had been instrumental in buying back Jews who had previously been sold into slavery to foreign lands • Now they were owning Jews as slaves themselves • It was a tragic injustice

Next, Nehemiah appeals to the national pride of the people • (Vs. 9) Nehemiah tells them what they are doing is wrong • Not only are they destroying the unity of the nation, they are a laughing stock among the other nations • The idea that a Jew could own another Jew as a slave was a joke

In dealing with this, Nehemiah openly admits his mistakes • (Vs. 10) I’ve been lending money and grain as well!!!

______VANTAGE POINT: Nehemiah

• But he takes the lead by saying… let’s stop this usury • Nehemiah called the lenders to restore all personal property held as security for loans and they were to give back the interest they charged • And he tells them, we will require nothing from them

Then he does something interesting • (Vs. 13) He shook the fold of his garment, the equivalent of a pocket • He empties his pocket and says, if you don’t empty your pockets then God is going to take away all your possessions • Here’s the miracle, the bankers agreed to give the money back !!!

Nehemiah 5:14–15 (NKJV) 14 Moreover, from the time that I was appointed to be their governor in the land of Judah, from the twentieth year until the thirty-second year of King Artaxerxes, twelve years, neither I nor my brothers ate the governor’s provisions. 15 But the former governors who were before me laid burdens on the people, and took from them bread and wine, besides forty shekels of silver. Yes, even their servants bore rule over the people, but I did not do so, because of the fear of God.

This is another leadership quality that I love about Nehemiah 1. He was generous because he feared the Lord 2. One of the signs that you truly fear the Lord is generosity 3. Nehemiah could not require something of the leaders that he himself was unwilling to do 4. He led by example and the example he led by was one of generous servant leadership

In chapter 6 we see a shift in the kind of attacks Nehemiah faced • He successfully faced challenges from the outside as neighboring opponents threated Judah • He successfully faced challenges from within as internal strife threatened to destroy Judean unity • But now the attacks become personal in an attempt to distract and endanger Nehemiah

Nehemiah 6:1–4 (NKJV)

______VANTAGE POINT: Nehemiah

6 Now it happened when Sanballat, Tobiah, Geshem the Arab, and the rest of our enemies heard that I had rebuilt the wall, and that there were no breaks left in it (though at that time I had not hung the doors in the gates), 2 that Sanballat and Geshem sent to me, saying, “Come, let us meet together among the villages in the plain of Ono.” But they thought to do me harm. 3 So I sent messengers to them, saying, “I am doing a great work, so that I cannot come down. Why should the work cease while I leave it and go down to you?” 4 But they sent me this message four times, and I answered them in the same manner.

The workers had almost finished the wall, all they needed to do was hang the doors • Then Sanballat, Tobiah and Gehsem the Arab show up to stop the project • Only this time they get personal • They send a request… come meet with us • Not, we’re coming to meet with you… but come to this far away place where no one is around to protect you and let’s meet • Ono was a two day journey away and that would have taken a week of Nehemiah’s time to have these meetings – huge distraction • Nehemiah is correct in his observation, they only want to harm me • So he tells Sanballat, Tobiah and Gershem and wisely tells them… hey guys, I’d love to come but I’ve got a big job going on and I can’t really leave my responsibilities. • Four times they attempt to lure Nehemiah away from Jerusalem and four times he declines.

What a great principle for leadership • When you are being attacked personally, stay focused on your priorities, keep your head down and get the job done

Nehemiah 6:5–9 (NKJV) 5 Then Sanballat sent his servant to me as before, the fifth time, with an open letter in his hand. 6 In it was written: It is reported among the nations, and Geshem says, that you and the Jews plan to rebel; therefore, according to these rumors, you are rebuilding

______VANTAGE POINT: Nehemiah

the wall, that you may be their king. 7 And you have also appointed prophets to proclaim concerning you at Jerusalem, saying, “There is a king in Judah!” Now these matters will be reported to the king. So come, therefore, and let us consult together. 8 Then I sent to him, saying, “No such things as you say are being done, but you invent them in your own heart.” 9 For they all were trying to make us afraid, saying, “Their hands will be weakened in the work, and it will not be done.” Now therefore, O God, strengthen my hands.

• Since Nehemiah refused to be distracted, Sanballat tries another approach • He sends an open letter – meaning anyone could read it

Sanballat’s letter contains 2 libelous accusations • The Jews plan to rebel against the Persians • He says that Nehemiah intends to become King • He also says that he is going to notify Nehemiah’s boss – the King • Nehemiah responds by saying in Vs. 8 “No such things as you say are being done, but you invent them in your heart” • But the effect of these accusations are serving Sanballat’s purpose of slandering Nehemiah • I can related to what Nehemiah is going through • And what is interesting is that Nehemiah decides, it’s too much for me, I can’t fix it, God has to fix it, so he prays for strength and moves on

Nehemiah 6:10–14 (NKJV) 10 Afterward I came to the house of Shemaiah the son of Delaiah, the son of Mehetabel, who was a secret informer; and he said, “Let us meet together in the house of God, within the temple, and let us close the doors of the temple, for they are coming to kill you; indeed, at night they will come to kill you.” 11 And I said, “Should such a man as I flee? And who is there such as I who would go into the temple to save his life? I will not go in!” 12 Then I perceived that God had not sent him at all, but that he pronounced this prophecy against me because Tobiah and Sanballat had hired him. 13 For this reason he was hired, that I should be afraid and act that way and sin, so that they might have cause for an evil report, that they might reproach me.

______VANTAGE POINT: Nehemiah

14 My God, remember Tobiah and Sanballat, according to these their works, and the prophetess Noadiah and the rest of the prophets who would have made me afraid.

Here’s how devious the plan gets • Sanballat and Tobiah attempt to use a Jewish prophet named Shemaiah to discredit Nehemiah publicly • But Shemaiah and Nehemiah appear to have a personal relationship because Nehemiah goes to his house and he arranges a closed door meeting in the temple • Now, Shemaiah is appearing to be Nehemiah’s friend, but he knows if Nehemiah was to go into the temple it would disgrace him 2 ways • It would cause him to commit a ritual transgression by going where priests alone were allowed • It would appear that Nehemiah was hiding to save his own life and thus a coward and a poor leader for Judah • So devious

Nehemiah again responds with great wisdom • First he says, why should I hide? What do I have to hide from and how could I run away in times of danger? • Second he says, I’m not a priest, I’m a commoner. I cannot go into the temple to save my life… in fact, I might loose my life if I go into the Holy of Holies • Nehemiah recognizes the guys a fake and that he was trying to discredit Nehemiah

Nehemiah 6:15–16 (NKJV) 15 So the wall was finished on the twenty-fifth day of Elul, in fifty-two days. 16 And it happened, when all our enemies heard of it, and all the nations around us saw these things, that they were very disheartened in their own eyes; for they perceived that this work was done by our God.

The wall is completed and it’s evident that God is with Nehemiah • It’s real simple… how do I know God is in something? It gets done • But even after it’s done, Tobiah continued to threaten Nehemiah

(Vs. 17-19) We get a picture of how inter-related this situation was

______VANTAGE POINT: Nehemiah

• Tobiah had influential connections with Judah, possibly through marriage • Tobiah’s son Jehohnan had married the daughter of Meshullam who was a worker on the wall • Within Tobiah’s own family were supporters of Nehemiah • Yet Tobiah continued to oppose Nehemiah

Chapter 7 turns the focus to Jerusalem as a city • The walls are built, the doors are in place (meaning they are protected) • But Nehemiah doesn’t want them to rest on their laurels • He assigns leaders to guard the city and it’s new wall • He gives Hanani (Nehemiah’s brother) the authority to govern Jerusalem • He gives Hananiah the authority over security because he is not only a military leader, but a person of integrity • As a leader, Nehemiah only entrusted the care of the city to those deserving of his trust

(Vs. 4-73) All of the residents of Jerusalem are registered • This list essentially repeats the list found in Ezra 2:2-73 • This was something that God put in Nehemiah’s heart, so the Lord is leading Nehemiah to do this • That is often how God works, He puts something in your heart to do

Chapters 8-10 are particularly challenging to scholars • They describe Ezra and Nehemiah as contemporaries of each other, sharing together in the restoration of Judah • But their togetherness seems awkward • We find no genuine partnership, but only an occasional mention of names • In Chapters 8 & 9 Nehemiah is virtually absent as Ezra was absent during Nehemiah’s project to rebuild the walls • It could be that Ezra and Nehemiah were joined together for theological reasons, not historical reasons • The Book of Ezra commences with the rebuilding of the temple and culminates with the work of Ezra, who brings the Law to Judah • Nehemiah begins with the rebuilding of the wall and ends with the ordering of community life according to the Law • In each book, the building projects lay the foundation for the law

______VANTAGE POINT: Nehemiah

• It’s as if the material and the spiritual go hand-in-hand • While the material project brings them together, the spiritual significance takes precedence

Chapter 8 begins with the reading of the Law and ends with the people’s response to the Law • Now that the walls are built, man has adequate physical protection, so it is now time for spiritual rebuilding • Now, after 13 years of seeming absence, Ezra appears to lead the people into renewal as God’s Covenant people whose lives are ordered by the Law and Nehemiah steps into the background • I believe one simple explanation is the building of the Temple would have come under the purvey of Ezra because he was a scribe • The building of the walls fell under Nehemiah because he was a civic or political leader • The could have both operated in the same time frame, but their focus would have kept them from crossing paths

Nehemiah 8:1–8 (NKJV) 8 Now all the people gathered together as one man in the open square that was in front of the Water Gate; and they told Ezra the scribe to bring the 2 Book of the Law of Moses, which the LORD had commanded Israel. So Ezra the priest brought the Law before the assembly of men and women and all who could hear with understanding on the first day of the seventh month. 3 Then he read from it in the open square that was in front of the Water Gate from morning until midday, before the men and women and those who could understand; and the ears of all the people were attentive to the Book of the Law. 4 So Ezra the scribe stood on a platform of wood which they had made for the purpose; and beside him, at his right hand, stood Mattithiah, Shema, Anaiah, Urijah, Hilkiah, and Maaseiah; and at his left hand Pedaiah, Mishael, Malchijah, Hashum, Hashbadana, Zechariah, and Meshullam. 5 And Ezra opened the book in the sight of all the people, for he was standing above all the people; and when he opened it, all the people stood 6 up. And Ezra blessed the LORD, the great God. Then all the people answered, “Amen, Amen!” while lifting up their hands. And they bowed their heads and worshiped the LORD with their faces to the ground.

______VANTAGE POINT: Nehemiah

7 Also Jeshua, Bani, Sherebiah, Jamin, Akkub, Shabbethai, Hodijah, Maaseiah, Kelita, Azariah, Jozabad, Hanan, Pelaiah, and the Levites, helped the people to understand the Law; and the people stood in their place. 8 So they read distinctly from the book, in the Law of God; and they gave the sense, and helped them to understand the reading.

The time of this event would be late September • The people gathered as “One Man” near the “Water Gate” • Ezra brings the Book of the Law of Moses which is Genesis through Deuteronomy • Ezra opens the Book of the Law of Moses • When Ezra unrolls the scroll the people stood as a show of respect • He read for 6 hours from morning until midday. • For 6 hours, the people’s ears were attentive to the Law – they paid attention • As Ezra was reading the Law, throughout the congregation of Israel, there were Levites who helped the people understand what Ezra was reading by giving the sense of the meaning of the word • That is what our job as teachers is… to help you understand the sense of the meaning of the word

(Vs. 9-12) The people respond by weeping when they hear the Words of the Lord • It’s been generations since the Word of the Lord was heard publicly

Nehemiah tells them to change their attitude Nehemiah 8:10 (NKJV) 10 Then he said to them, “Go your way, eat the fat, drink the sweet, and send portions to those for whom nothing is prepared; for this day is holy to our Lord. Do not sorrow, for the joy of the LORD is your strength.”

(Vs. 13-18) We see the Festival of Booths reintroduced