Angered While Rebuilding? Nehemiah Says Step Back First!
Consider Nehemiah. Do you get angry easily? Do you get riled up? Nehemiah shows us to step back before acting. It never works to respond with emotions. In Chapter 5, during their rebuilding, the people face opposition from within their ranks. It seems that if the opposition doesn’t hit us from without, it comes from within. Join the podcast today as Nehemiah reminds us to step back, then stand up and keep focus when facing opposition. Today we cover the following points:
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Fight for Your Families
- In Nehemiah Chapter 4, the people were making progress when more persecution made them fearful.
- Nehemiah prayed and encouraged the people saying: “Do not be afraid of them. Remember the Lord, who is great and awesome and fight for your kin, your sons, your daughters, your wives, and your homes” (Nehemiah 4: 14).
Outcry and Poverty (Nehemiah 5: 1-5)
- Many were in poverty: inflation had become rampant and taxes were unbearable.
- In order to pay the taxes, the families borrowed money from others using their own children as collateral.
- If loans could not be repaid, their children, and even the wives and men, would be sold as slaves..
Step Back & Take Time to Think (Nehemiah 5: 6-7)
- Nehemiah was very angry with the nobles and officials who took advantage of their kin.
- Leviticus 25: 35-38 and Deuteronomy 23: 20 instruct them not to charge interest if they lend to the poor.
- Nehemiah did not show his angst. He stepped back and collected his thoughts.
- He gives us the first step in resolving conflict from within – step back.
The Symbolism of the Oath & Gesture (Nehemiah 5: 6-13)
- Nehemiah confronted the nobles who were enslaving their own brethren and children.
- He implored the officials to 1) repent of their sins and respect the Lord by following His Law, 2) stop charging interest, and 3) restore everything they took.
- Using the Word of God (Torah at the time) and a conciliatory manner, he spoke the truth.
- In one dramatic prophetic act symbolizing the solemnity of their oath, Nehemiah shook out the fold of his garment … In this, he emphasized that judgment would come to those who did not keep their oath before God. The assembly confirmed it with a passionate “Amen.” They “praised the Lord … and did as they had promised.
The Governor
- Nehemiah kept his focus on building the wall.
- He used his money earned as a cupbearer to support Jerusalem’s poor and suffering people. He worked more for God’s approval.
- Nehemiah prayed: Remember for my good, O my God, all that I have done for this people.
- He was asking God for continued grace in the work and most importantly, for the Lord to remember him when it comes to eternal life and rewards. We can pray with the same words.
- The Lord promises He will remember you. Hebrews 6: 10—11 says this: God is not unfair. He will not forget the work you did or the love you showed for him in the help you gave and are still giving to other Christians. (Good News).
Personal Reflection
- Please reflect on the principles that Nehemiah models and we can apply:
- Step back. Do not be led by anger. Collect your thoughts. It never works to respond with emotions. Ephesians 4: 26. Be angry but do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger.
- Stand up. In love, confront Christians with the Word of God when they are sinning against Him. Forgive always. 1 Timothy 5: 20 reminds us: As for those who persist in sin, rebuke them in the presence of all, so that the rest also may stand in fear.
- Focus. Keep your focus on what God has called you to do. Keep building, pray always, and never give up. (Luke 18: 1 Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to teach them that they should always pray and never become discouraged [give])
- Remember the poor. Do not take advantage of the less fortunate. Instead, help them. Psalm 15: 5, Do not lend money at interest, and do not take a bribe against the innocent.
- Pray with Scripture. Remember me O my God, all that I have done for your people. In this prayer, we also remind ourselves that our rewards are eternal when we choose to follow Jesus and as His disciple, we build up others in Christ.
Cup of JOY Women
- Consider hosting a weekly one-hour Cup of Joy Women’s small group study on It accompanies this podcast and you can begin anytime or choose any podcast series (e.g. Finding More JOY).
- Pray about accepting this fantastic opportunity to engage others and gently evangelize by hosting a small group of friends over coffee or tea. I will even join you via Zoom.
- For information or to contact me, go to Cup of Joy Women.
Links
- Download Bookmarks from this podcast series at my website: com
- Read more on hosting a Cup of Joy Women’s small group.
- Check out more podcasts here!
- Click HERE to find the book: Nehemiah: Rebuilding Hope and Joy in Your Life.