God Frees Captives Unexpectedly (2/27/23)

Read: Nehemiah 5:1-13 (AMP)

Biblical Lesson…

In this passage, Nehemiah hears of the suffering of the Israelites in Jerusalem, though physically freed from their conquerors, but remain economically oppressed by their conquerors and many of their fellow Israelite leaders through taxation.  These Israeli citizens are starving and are now selling their children and themselves back into slavery. After some thought, Nehemiah gathers the Israelite leadership together to rebuke them in righteous anger.  Basically, Nehemiah reminds them that they have forgotten to fear the Lord their God and have let greed take precedence over doing what is compassionate, right and just in the eyes of the Lord. The issue of captivity addressed is both literal and spiritual in this passage.  The literal captives are the less economically advantaged Isralites. The spiritual captives are the Israelite leaders that are captive to their sin of greed and disobedience to the Lord. Yet the Lord sends Nehemiah to bring correction for all levels.

Image by Nattanan Kanchanaprat from Pixabay 

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In the New Testament, we see this same concept play out in Matthew 21:12-13 and Mark 11:15-18. Please read the footnotes to understand Jesus' reasoning and action and how it is comparable in some ways to Nehemiah, yet contrast the leadership response to Nehemiah and Jesus'  words and action. Did the leadership remember the fear of the Lord?

Today's Version…

Let's bring this to what is going on today. Are individuals and people held captive to something on a literal, mental or spiritual level? Has the leadership of your nation protected their citizenry or has greed (money, power, etc.) overtaken the administration of what is just and right? Have the leaders of your land (local, state, provincial, etc.) cared for themselves or for you? If so, look at those around you from every social strata? Is there any suffering that should be noticed and provided for?

What to do…

So, what can each person do? Here are some steps each person should take:

1. Spend some quiet time observing the world around you, the people you and others interact with, and learn about what is going on around you in the world.

2. Journal thoughts that come to you regarding the questions above about the world, yourself and how people are doing and feeling.

3. Search in the Bible about a topic that is on your mind and heart. Read the passages in the context and figure out what God is saying and what was meant in the context of the verse. Always pray!