Gold
Today’s Reading – Job 22 – 26 (Click on the references to listen to the audio – Click here to view the passage from Blue Letter Bible)
(Second Milers Read – 1 Thessalonians 1 – 5; Psalms 51 – 55; Proverbs 11)
Listen to this morning’s Scripture song – Psalm 61:1 – 3
Read the “0611 Evening and Morning” devotion for today, by the late Charles Haddon Spurgeon
“But he knoweth the way that I take: when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold.” – (Job 23:10)
“Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations: That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:” – (1 Peter 1:6-7)
There are several great, golden nuggets of truth in the Book of Job, and many of them are in today’s passage. I thought this morning about the statement made by Job in chapter 23, and verse 10. Job is going through the worst trial in his life. I think it would be safe to say that no other man in history was put to the test like Job. Many people have suffered the loss of health, and many others have endured the death of a child, and still more have gone through tough financial situations; but who can say that they have had to face the loss of everything they owned, and all of the children they loved, and then had to suffer through perhaps the most painful health condition known to man, all within the same time frame. Job could certainly stand alongside any man on earth, and win the “pity party” comparison. Yet, Job knew that when it was all over, that God would bring him through to the other side of the trial, and he also knew that the trial would make him a better man.
All of us will endure the hardships of trials, but to experience suffering for no apparent reason can be especially difficult. Job did nothing to deserve the treatment that he was receiving at the hand of Satan, but God would use Job’s suffering to accomplish a few wonderful things. First, He would prove to Satan that there are some men who will retain their integrity even under the most difficult of circumstances. Second, though Job was a good man, even a great man when compared among men, this trial would make him a still better man. I believe Job had a better understanding of the greatness of his Creator, and also a better grasp of his own frail humanity as a result of this ordeal. But, perhaps the greatest thing that God would reveal to us through Job’s trial is that we can trust God. He won’t allow us to go through something that is greater than our ability to glorify Him through. He loves us. He doesn’t punish but He does correct us at times through the trials and sufferings of life. Sometimes the trials are a direct result of sin, but they are also at times just God’s way of bringing us to the next level of faith. And if we will allow God to have His way in our lives, we too can come forth as gold; better servants and better sons; more equipped to represent Him as the ambassadors of His glorious gospel.
Notice another great verse from today’s reading:
“Neither have I gone back from the commandment of his lips; I have esteemed the words of his mouth more than my necessary food.” (Job 23:12)
what an awesome verse. Job stated here that the Word of God which nourishes the soul was more important to him that the physical food that nourishes the body. Jesus said something similar:
“But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.” (Matthew 4:4)
I had a professor in Bible college who used to say, “No Bible, no breakfast.” Thank the Lord for giving us His Word.
Posted in Thoughts from Job by Phil Erickson with 3 comments.
The Words of My Mouth
Today’s Reading – Job 19 – 21 (Click on the references to listen to the audio – Click here to view the passage from Blue Letter Bible)
(Second Milers Read – Colossians 1 – 4; Psalms 46 – 50; Proverbs 10)
Listen to this morning’s Scripture song – Psalm 55:17
Read the “0610 Evening and Morning” devotion for today, by the late Charles Haddon Spurgeon
“Then Job answered and said, How long will ye vex my soul, and break me in pieces with words?” (Job 19:1 & 2)
You didn’t have to read long this morning to find a great truth from today’s passage. Job is in the middle of the discourse with his three ‘friends’ who are accusing him of all kinds of wickedness; adding sorrow on top of sorrows. He is already as low as he can go, but these guys continue to beat him and kick him when he is down; and their weapons are their tongues.
“And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell. … But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.” (James 3:6, 8 )
“Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.” (Ephesians 4:29)
The Bible has so much to say about the deadly nature of the tongue. Why are we so quick to run our mouths when God tells us very plainly that we are to be slow to speak. We all could avoid much of our problems with our mouth by simply not saying anything unless it is absolutely necessary, or unless we are sure we are saying something that is edifying. If we have to speak at all maybe it would be best if we paused and prayed about what would be the best thing to say.
Job’s friends were not helping him at all; they were making him worse. Remember, the purpose for their visit was to ‘comfort’ him. Maybe they should have just listened to him; even let him vent a little. Maybe, I should try the same thing. As a pastor I need to learn to listen more; pray before speaking; and, as much as possible, tell people what God said instead of what I think.
Lord, help me not to kill or maim any more people with my tongue.
Posted in Thoughts from Job by Phil Erickson with 6 comments.
We Will Trust in Him
Today’s Reading – Job 12 – 14 (Click on the references to listen to the audio – Click here to view the passage from Blue Letter Bible)
(Second Milers Read – Ephesians 4 – 6; Psalms 36 – 40; Proverbs 8)
Listen to this morning’s Scripture song – Psalm 48:1 & 2
Read the “0608 Evening and Morning” devotion for today, by the late Charles Haddon Spurgeon
Read another post from this passage – “Wisdom“
“Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him: but I will maintain mine own ways before him.” (Job 13:15)
In this statement we see Job’s declaration of faith in God. Though Job certainly has not figured out why God has allowed all of this tragedy to come into his life, he plainly declares here that no matter what God does to him (or allows to be done to him), he will continue to trust Him. When you and I read this book of the Bible it is easy for us from the perspective of history to identify with what Job has stated here. But think for a minute with me. If it were you or me going through what Job went through, how would we be feeling about God? If God were to allow us to lose everything all at once, and then to have excruciating physical pain placed on top of it, how would we react? Could we say, truthfully, “yet will I trust in Him”?
A few years back, I watched a movie / documentary called “Amish Grace” about the Nickel Mines tragedy in Lancaster, PA. The movie recounts the true story of a troubled man who went into an Amish school house, shooting 10 little girls and killing 5 of them. The amazing thing is that the Amish people chose to trust God’s wisdom in allowing what happened. Though it was very painful and though it took a little time for all of them to come to this decision, they chose to forgive the man that shot their children. This was certainly a modern day picture of what Job went through. These Amish folks did not understand why God had allowed it to happened, yet they continued to keep their trust in the Lord.
Most of the time I feel that my faith is so weak, I doubt whether it could stand up to such intense suffering. I guess it will have to be the grace of God that will sustain me through the dark days that seem to find their way into every believer’s life at one point or another. I know that difficult days lie ahead for me as well. I want to be prepared for them by getting so close to God that it will be easier to trust Him when it doesn’t seem like He is even there.
I also wanted to make a comment about the second half of verse 15. Job says that he will maintain [his] ways before him (God). I believe what Job was saying here is that though he was being severely tested by the Lord, he was still going to continue to do what he had always done. In other words, he wasn’t going to quit. He was going to keep on living for the Lord through the difficult trial. I know that when we are going through trials in life it can be very difficult to “maintain” your walk with the Lord, but it is especially important to stay close to God during the tough times. Don’t quit.
Posted in Thoughts from Job by Phil Erickson with 1 comment.
Encouragement or Discouragement?
Today’s Reading – Job 5 – 7 (Click on the references to listen to the audio – Click here to view the passage from Blue Letter Bible)
(Second Milers Read – Galatians 4 – 6; Psalms 26 – 30; Proverbs 6)
Read the 0606 Evening and Morning post by the late Charles Haddon Spurgeon.
Read a previous post from this passage – “The Chastening of the Almighty“
“Teach me, and I will hold my tongue: and cause me to understand wherein I have erred. How forcible are right words! but what doth your arguing reprove?” (Job 6:24-25)
In our passage this morning we read the conversation betweeen Job and his friends. In chapter 5, we read the continuation of what was said by Eliphaz to Job, and in chapters 6 – 7, we see Job’s reply. These friends of Job came to comfort him because of the anguish that he was experiencing. I believe that they were sincere in what they were trying to do because they waited for a full week with Job without saying anything. I think that they really wanted to help him, but I am also sure that they did not understand what Job was going through, nor did they have a clue as to why this was happening to him. They assumed that Job was receiving punishment for something that he had done. Our friends and family members oftentimes do not know how to react when we are going through the dark days. When you get down to it, it is really impossible for people outside of our situation to completely identify or understand what we are going through. Sometimes when people try to help, they can often cause more trouble for us with the things that they say. I guess we often ask for the added problems because we so desire to have the fellowship of people around us, especially when we are hurting.
My advice to you that are hurting right now is to try to understand the lack of understanding on the part of your “encouragers.” Try to appreciate their motivation to help you, but don’t be too frustrated by the help itself. Understand also that you may be the one who is not seeing things clearly and the people who are trying to help you might just be right about what they are saying, though you may not want to hear it.
My advice to you who would try to encourage those that are hurting is that you would be slow to judge, and slow to speak. Give a listening ear and let them vent a little; let them cry on your shoulder for a while. There will eventually come a time when they will need to move forward but give them a little space to see what God is doing their lives. Remember, someday it will be you that is going through the valley and you will be glad that there are others around you who are patient and understanding with you.
“A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver.” (Proverbs 25:11)
Posted in Thoughts from Job by Phil Erickson with 7 comments.
The Road May Be Long
Today’s Reading – Job 1 – 4 (Click on the references to listen to the audio – Click here to view the passage from Blue Letter Bible)
(Second Milers Read – Galatians 1 – 3; Psalms 21 – 25; Proverbs 5)
Listen to this morning’s Scripture song – Psalm 34:1 – 4
Read the “0605 Evening and Morning” devotion for today, by the late Charles Haddon Spurgeon
“So they sat down with him upon the ground seven days and seven nights, and none spake a word unto him: for they saw that his grief was very great.” – (Job 2:13)
I have read these first four chapters from Job many times and I have preached several messages from them, but I noticed something new today that I thought was worth developing. But first let me review the story. In chapter one, Job lost all of his children and nearly everything that he possessed; yet, his response was worship for God (see vs. 20 – 22). In chapter two, Satan is permitted to destroy Job’s health. I do not know much about what Job experienced, but I would imagine that Satan chose the most painful malady possible in order to make him break. Yet, Job maintained his integrity, even when his wife turned against him. By the way, I used to beat up Job’s wife for her weakness, but now I have some compassion for her. After all, she did lose all of her children and her possessions. This must have been a very difficult time for her as well. Then Job’s friends arrive. Again, I used to be pretty rough on Job’s friends, but they stayed with him for seven days without saying a word. I believe they truly wanted to help him.
It is not until we get to chapter three that we see Job begin to break down. He begins to complain that he wished that he had never been born at all. Satan couldn’t get him to break with the loss of his children and possessions, and he couldn’t get him to yield initially when Job lost his health. However, after enough time went by, Job began to crack. Time was the element used by Satan to wear Job away. Then, once he began to break, Job’s friends also piled up on him. They shouldn’t have said anything, but I think like most well-meaning people, they didn’t have a clue.
I have seen this happen in people’s lives today. When tragedy comes their way, oftentimes their first reaction is positive, but after a little time bitterness begins to set in and soon their faith begins to wane. Had Job’s trial ended the day after it started, he would have been fine, but time took its toll and slowly caused him to lose all hope.
I don’t know exactly what can be done in order to keep encouraged during trials like this, but I think understanding that trials are seldom short-term can be a help in itself. In other words, we need to realize that when we go into the valley, we need to be prepared to be there for quite a while. I have experienced long seasons in the valley and I am sure there will be some more of them in my future. I need to understand that God may not be finished working in, or through me. I need to just trust Him. He can do whatever He wants. I need to remember that He knows what He is doing, even if I cannot see it. God may never remove a trial but that is His decision. We need to be prepared to endure until the Lord removes the trial, or until He takes us home. It may be a very long road.
An additional thought – Notice in chapter four the statement made by Eliphaz:
“Remember, I pray thee, who ever perished, being innocent? or where were the righteous cut off?” (Job 4:7)
People commonly think that when someone is going through a trial that it has to be a judgment from God for some evil that they have done. We know that in the case of Job, that is simply not true. Though Job was a sinner like everyone else, he did nothing specific to provoke this awful calamity. God was simply using Job to glorify Himself. Though Satan was the tool that God used to afflict Job, it was God who instigated the whole thing.
No trial comes without God’s approval, but the reasons that God permits a trial may be very complex. The trial may be a form of correction, or it may be a way to develop a believer, making him stronger. It could be that God is using the trial in the life of a believer as an example to others who are watching. It could be a combination of these. But be assured, that God is doing something. Whatever the purpose behind the trial, it is critical that the believer runs to God during the trial and not away from Him. With God’s help, you can endure any trial that comes your way: “There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.” (1 Corinthians 10:13).
Posted in Thoughts from Job by Phil Erickson with 5 comments.
Sometimes We Reap More Than We Sow
Today’s Reading – Esther 6 – 10 (Click on the references to listen to the audio – Click here to view the passage from Blue Letter Bible)
(Second Milers Read – 2 Corinthians 9 – 13, Psalms 16 – 20; Proverbs 4)
Listen to this morning’s Scripture song – Psalm 25
Read the “0604 Evening and Morning” devotion for today, by the late Charles Haddon Spurgeon
“Thus the Jews smote all their enemies with the stroke of the sword, and slaughter, and destruction, and did what they would unto those that hated them.” – (Esther 9:5 )
“But the other Jews that were in the king’s provinces gathered themselves together, and stood for their lives, and had rest from their enemies, and slew of their foes seventy and five thousand, but they laid not their hands on the prey,” – (Esther 9:16)
“So they hanged Haman on the gallows that he had prepared for Mordecai. Then was the king’s wrath pacified.” – (Esther 7:10)
In today’s reading we read about the destruction of Haman, his family, and all others who would try to hurt the people of God. Remember, in the previous chapters we read how that Haman had a carefully devised plan to have all of the Jews in the Kingdom of Persia put to death. He even built a special gallows to have Mordecai, Esther’s cousin, displayed on. His plan ended up destroying only him and his kind; and he ended up being hung on the gallows that he had prepared for Mordecai. He not only got back what he gave to others, he got back far more than he gave. The lost world will reap far more in this life, and especially in eternity, what they have sown.
Christians today need to remember that the principle of sowing and reaping still exists. Thank the Lord as God’s children, because of His wonderful grace, we won’t reap nearly the amount of judgment as compared to the sin that we have sown; but we will reap some in this life. However, we can also reap back a lot of good if we sow it. As the people of God today, we should be concerned with sowing love, mercy, compassion, and forgiveness to the people around us. I am sure that there will be times when we will want to have those things come back to us. And the beautiful thing is that the Christian will reap much more in eternity than what he has sown in this life. The Bible indicates that the rewards in heaven, and to some degree, even in this life, are multiplied exceedingly.
Posted in Thoughts from Esther by Phil Erickson with 4 comments.
Obsession
Today’s Reading – Esther 1 – 5 (Click on the references to listen to the audio – Click here to view the passage from Blue Letter Bible)
(Second Milers Read – 2 Corinthians 5 – 8; Psalms 11 – 15; Proverbs 3)
Listen to this morning’s Scripture song – Psalm 19
Read the “0603 Evening and Morning” devotion for today, by the late Charles Haddon Spurgeon
Read a previous post from this passage – “It’s a God Thing“
“Yet all this availeth me nothing, so long as I see Mordecai the Jew sitting at the king’s gate.” (Esther 5:13)
My attention this morning is turned toward Haman, a wicked lost man that was highest ranking prince in the administration of King Ahasuerus of Persia. This man had a prestigious position, second only to the king. According to the Book of Esther he had a family and friends. No doubt, he had wealth. It could easily be said that this man had all that any man could ask for. He was a rising star in the kingdom. Yet, none of that mattered to him, because he was consumed with hatred toward the Jewish people in general, and specifically toward Mordecai. All of the things that should have brought joy and happiness to this man were of no avail, because all that Haman could think about was Mordecai. He was obsessed, consumed with hatred and bitterness toward another human being. Stupid!
King Saul also comes to mind as another insecure man consumed with hatred and jealousy. Of course, his problem was with David, a young man who had done nothing but faithfully serve his king. Saul’s obsession with David became so acute, he spent all of Israel’s resources trying to find David to put him to death. What a shame!
Unfortunately, this type of situation is very prevalent among believers today. I have observed individuals who were also consumed with jealousy or bitterness toward another. Their entire life seemed to revolve around the object of their obsession. Their thoughts were filled with the person that they were bitter towards, and every conversation they had would eventually turn into a gossip session regarding their enemy. All of this served to rob them of the happiness that they should have been enjoying in an abundant life.
Christian, is there someone you just can’t stop thinking about (in a bad way)? Is there a person out there in the world that has become the object of your obsession? The bitterness that is growing inside of you towards that person will eventually destroy you, and make others around you miserable as well. Get a life! Release this obsession from the prison of your heart. Let them go. Forget about them. Don’t let anyone steal the joy that could be yours. It’s just not worth it. If you continue on in your obsession, you will surely end up being destroyed on the gallows that you intended to use on them.
Posted in Thoughts from Esther by Phil Erickson with 2 comments.
Spring Cleaning
Today’s Reading – Nehemiah 11 – 13 (Click on the references to listen to the audio – Click here to view the passage from Blue Letter Bible)
(Second Milers Read – 2 Corinthians 1 – 4; Psalms 6 – 10; Proverbs 2)
Listen to this morning’s Scripture song – Psalm 18:3 & 46
Read the “0602 Evening and Morning” devotion for today, by the late Charles Haddon Spurgeon
“Then I commanded, and they cleansed the chambers: and thither brought I again the vessels of the house of God, with the meat offering and the frankincense.” – (Nehemiah 13:9)
In Nehemiah 13, I noticed that there were four things that had crept back into the life of the people of Israel that had to be cleaned out:
1 In vs. 4 – 9 we see that Eliashib the priest had actually emptied a chamber in the temple of God, and had prepared it for Tobiah to stay in. Tobiah had been the one who had opposed Nehemiah and the people of God as they rebuilded the city of Jerusalem. He had to go. Nehemiah gave him the boot.
2 In vs. 10 – 13 we learn that the Levites had to go back to the fields to work because the people of God were not supporting them through their tithes and offerings. Nehemiah corrected this problem as well.
3 In vs. 15 – 22 we see that God’s people were violating the Sabbath by working, and by trading with outsiders. God wanted the Sabbath Day to be kept holy, and set apart from the normal routines of the week. Nehemiah commanded that the gates of the city be closed on the Sabath so that the merchants could not enter in to do their business.
4 Finally we see that the Jews began to inter-marry with the heathen people around them. It got to be so bad that some of the children did not even speak the Hebrew language, but instead conversed in the language of the land where the mother came from. Nehemiah had a fit about this, and made the people promise to separate from people who were not Jews. He reminded them of how even King Solomon was caused to sin because of his marriages to non-Jewish women. God wants his people to marry within the household of faith.
It is amazing how quickly all of these abuses crept back into the lives of the people of God. Every once in a while we need to have an old-fashioned house cleaning to remove all of the junk that creeps into our lives as well. Why not take a spiritual inventory of your own life. Is there anything in your home, or in your life that God would want cleaned out? Just a thought.
Posted in Thoughts from Nehemiah by Phil Erickson with 1 comment.
We Will Not Forsake the House of Our God
Today’s Reading – Nehemiah 8 – 10 (Click on the references to listen to the audio – Click here to view the passage from Blue Letter Bible)
(Second Milers Read – 1 Corinthians 13 – 16; Psalms 1 – 5; Proverbs 1)
Listen to this morning’s Scripture song – Joshua 1:8
Read the “0601 Evening and Morning” devotion for today, by the late Charles Haddon Spurgeon
“And the seed of Israel separated themselves from all strangers, and stood and confessed their sins, and the iniquities of their fathers. And they stood up in their place, and read in the book of the law of the LORD their God one fourth part of the day; and another fourth part they confessed, and worshipped the LORD their God.” – (Nehemiah 9:2-3)
“For the children of Israel and the children of Levi shall bring the offering of the corn, of the new wine, and the oil, unto the chambers, where are the vessels of the sanctuary, and the priests that minister, and the porters, and the singers: and we will not forsake the house of our God.” – (Nehemiah 10:39)
I enjoyed thoroughly reading these three chapters today from the Book of Nehemiah. The people of Israel are back in their own land after having been in captivity for many years. They are united, “in one accord”; and they are fully surrendered to the Lord. This is certainly one of the high places in their history. In these three chapters I have noticed some ingredients that were in place that brought about a wonderful revival in the lives of God’s people. As I already mentioned, the people were unified, which in itself is an important part of the revival; but in addition to that, let me list some ingredients that I observed.
1 They are putting a heavy emphasis on the reading and preaching of the Word of God. We see this in chapter 8, and again in chapter 9. The people stood for a fourth part of the day listening to the Word. We have a tough time getting people to sit in padded seats for an hour. The word caused them to implement many changes in their lives, including the observance of the Feast of Tabernacles.
2 There is an emphasis on prayer. In chapter 9, we see the people corporately confessing their sins; and praising God for His mercy and grace upon them. People who are right with God will praise God. “Let the redeemed of the Lord say so.”
3 In chapter 10, we see that the people have made a commitment to the House of God. They committed to give their offerings so that the servants of the Temple, including all of the priests and Levites, would have everything that they need in order to minister to the people.
I have left out some other things, but as you can see from the reading today, these three ingredients were part of one of the greatest revivals in the history of God’s people. If we ever see revival again in America, I bet that these three ingredients will be here as well.
Posted in Thoughts from Nehemiah by Phil Erickson with 2 comments.
Don’t Get Greedy
Today’s Reading – Nehemiah 1 – 5 (Click on the references to listen to the audio – Click here to view the passage from Blue Letter Bible)
(Second Milers Read – 1 Corinthians 5 – 8; Psalms 141 – 145; Proverbs 30)
Listen to this morning’s Scripture song – 1 John 4:7 & 8
Read the “0530 Evening and Morning” devotion for today, by the late Charles Haddon Spurgeon
Read previous posts from this passage – “See the Need and Take the Lead,” and “A Mind to Work.“
The Greed of the Nobles
“1 And there was a great cry of the people and of their wives against their brethren the Jews. 2 For there were that said, We, our sons, and our daughters, are many: therefore we take up corn for them, that we may eat, and live. 3 Some also there were that said, We have mortgaged our lands, vineyards, and houses, that we might buy corn, because of the dearth. 4 There were also that said, We have borrowed money for the king’s tribute, and that upon our lands and vineyards. 5 Yet now our flesh is as the flesh of our brethren, our children as their children: and, lo, we bring into bondage our sons and our daughters to be servants, and some of our daughters are brought unto bondage already: neither is it in our power to redeem them; for other men have our lands and vineyards. 6 And I was very angry when I heard their cry and these words. 7 Then I consulted with myself, and I rebuked the nobles, and the rulers, and said unto them, Ye exact usury, every one of his brother. And I set a great assembly against them. 8 And I said unto them, We after our ability have redeemed our brethren the Jews, which were sold unto the heathen; and will ye even sell your brethren? or shall they be sold unto us? Then held they their peace, and found nothing to answer. 9 Also I said, It is not good that ye do: ought ye not to walk in the fear of our God because of the reproach of the heathen our enemies? 10 I likewise, and my brethren, and my servants, might exact of them money and corn: I pray you, let us leave off this usury. 11 Restore, I pray you, to them, even this day, their lands, their vineyards, their oliveyards, and their houses, also the hundredth part of the money, and of the corn, the wine, and the oil, that ye exact of them. 12 Then said they, We will restore them, and will require nothing of them; so will we do as thou sayest. Then I called the priests, and took an oath of them, that they should do according to this promise. 13 Also I shook my lap, and said, So God shake out every man from his house, and from his labour, that performeth not this promise, even thus be he shaken out, and emptied. And all the congregation said, Amen, and praised the LORD. And the people did according to this promise.” (Nehemiah 5:1-13)
Nehemiah five is replete with principles regarding money and greed that can be gleaned by God’s people today. The beginning of the chapter explains the problems that some of the people of Jerusalem were facing. It is somewhat unclear whether Nehemiah is addressing this problem during the time of the building of the wall, which would certainly be a cause for the disruption of income for many people. Verse seven indicates that an assembly was called, which would seem impractical if the wall was still under construction, but verse sixteen indicates that the work on the wall was continuing. At any rate, the economic situation would have been temporarily hindered while the construction was taking place. Some people were short of food; others were forced to mortgage their lands; and many had to borrow money to pay the Persian government its tribute money. These were hard times. The debts that were accumulating were jeopardizing their children’s futures, likely putting them in bondage to the creditors. This is what happened to the widow and her two sons in the time of Elisha (2 Kings 4). Her sons would have been sold into bondage to satisfy the debt that the parents had accumulated.
Nehemiah acted when he became aware of this situation. He rebuked the nobles (v. 7) for exacting interest (usury) from their brethren, which was against God’s Law (Exodus 22:25 – 27; Leviticus 25:35 – 38). God was very clear: Israelites who had money were supposed to be a blessing to those who were struggling, and they were not to take advantage of them in any way. The heathen people surrounding Jerusalem had taken advantage of them, but God’s people were supposed to help them and not follow their practices (v. 8). Nehemiah implores them to “leave off this usury.” The people, to their credit, heed Nehemiah’s admonition, and agreed to “restore them, and … require nothing of them” (v. 12).
The Example of Nehemiah
“13 Also I shook my lap, and said, So God shake out every man from his house, and from his labour, that performeth not this promise, even thus be he shaken out, and emptied. And all the congregation said, Amen, and praised the LORD. And the people did according to this promise. 14 Moreover from the time that I was appointed to be their governor in the land of Judah, from the twentieth year even unto the two and thirtieth year of Artaxerxes the king, that is, twelve years, I and my brethren have not eaten the bread of the governor. 15 But the former governors that had been before me were chargeable unto the people, and had taken of them bread and wine, beside forty shekels of silver; yea, even their servants bare rule over the people: but so did not I, because of the fear of God. 16 Yea, also I continued in the work of this wall, neither bought we any land: and all my servants were gathered thither unto the work. 17 Moreover there were at my table an hundred and fifty of the Jews and rulers, beside those that came unto us from among the heathen that are about us. 18 Now that which was prepared for me daily was one ox and six choice sheep; also fowls were prepared for me, and once in ten days store of all sorts of wine: yet for all this required not I the bread of the governor, because the bondage was heavy upon this people.” (Nehemiah 5:13-18)
Nehemiah set the right example by not taking anything from the people, which he was entitled to do as a Persian governor. He was also very generous to the people, apparently using his own resources to do so. I am reminded of the Apostle Paul’s reminder to the elders of Ephesus: “33 I have coveted no man’s silver, or gold, or apparel. 34 Yea, ye yourselves know, that these hands have ministered unto my necessities, and to them that were with me” (Acts 20:33-34). Also at Corinth, Paul refused to take anything from the people but worked to support himself (1 Corinthians 4:12; 2 Corinthians 12:13 – 15). Peter admonished the elders to not be in the ministry “for filthy lucre” (1 Peter 5:2). It is critical that the leaders in the local church follow Paul’s and Nehemiah’s example, as well as Peter’s exhortation. Money can be a big stumbling block for preachers. Some preachers are the biggest cheapskates I know. I know of a pastor that invites me out to eat on occasion and never reaches into his own wallet to pick up the tab. And if he is like that with me, a fellow preacher, I cannot imagine how he might be fleecing his congregation. I believe that if the pastor and leaders should set the right example by being generous and hospitable; by avoiding covetousness, excessiveness; and by working hard at being good stewards of the Lord’s money, the church will follow their lead. There will probably still be the 80 – 20 rule, where most of the congregation gives very little and a few give very sacrificially, but God will meet all the needs of the ministry (Philippians 4:19).
The Antisemitism of Their Neighbors
I would like to give an additional thought from this passage regarding antisemitism. Nehemiah has a desire to go to Jerusalem and help the people of God. He goes through the proper channels and has the authorization and support of the King. Yet, there were some who hated the fact that somebody was coming to help the Jewish people.
“When Sanballat the Horonite, and Tobiah the servant, the Ammonite, heard of it, it grieved them exceedingly that there was come a man to seek the welfare of the children of Israel.” (Nehemiah 2:10)
This was not a new problem in Nehemiah’s day and it is still a serious problem today. Israel is surrounded by people who hate them and actually want them obliterated from the face of the earth. Ignorant college students here in America are chanting “From the river to the sea,” which is an expression that expresses the desire to sweep the Jewish people out of the land of Israel fromthe Jordan River and into the Mediteranean Sea. Yet, God promised that He would bless anybody that is a blessing to Israel. Way back in Genesis, God first gave this promise to Abraham: “And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed” (Genesis 12:3). The covenant that God made with Abraham regarding the land of Israel passed through his son, Isaac, and then through Isaac to Jacob and his twelve sons. The land belongs to Israel. We may not be in agreement with every decision made by the Israeli government, but as believers, we should never side with this antisimetic world against Israel. I stand with Israel. I am praying for the peace of Jerusalem, and I am also praying for and supporting the work of Christian missionaries who are sowing the seeds of the gospel to the Jewish people. Someday, their corporate blindness regarding their Messiah will be healed and “all Israel shall be saved” (Romans 11:26). Until that time comes, though, as Christians we want to love and support the People of God.
Posted in Devotions by Phil Erickson with 1 comment.