In our daily devotional on Nehemiah 5, we witness Nehemiah facing a different kind of challenge—one rooted in abuse and injustice. As the people cry out against the mistreatment by their own leaders, Nehemiah becomes angry, not out of selfish frustration, but from a deep sense of righteous indignation. How do we respond when we see abuse and injustice in our own lives? Nehemiah’s example shows us that it’s okay to feel anger, as long as it is a holy anger that leads us to seek justice. Nehemiah took time to think and reflect, then boldly confronted the oppressors, modeling leadership rooted in fairness and the fear of God. To read about the opposition of the rebuilding of the walls, read Nehemiah 4.
This chapter reminds us that leadership is not just about rebuilding physical walls but also restoring justice and integrity within a community. Nehemiah’s leadership shines as he uses his position not for personal gain but for the well-being of his people, motivated by his reverence for God. May we also be inspired to lead with justice, humility, and a heart that fears God.
Nehemiah 5 Commentary by Allen J. Huth
In Nehemiah 5, Nehemiah faces more challenges: abuse and injustice. How do you respond to abuse and injustice? Do you talk to yourself? Nehemiah did. Please read or listen to Nehemiah 5.
In 1991, I read Nehemiah chapters 1-5 on the same day. I had no entry concerning this chapter.
How did Nehemiah Show Leadership?
In 2002, I read Nehemiah (NKJV) twice in the month of March. I was doing a reading plan called a book a month, so I read Nehemiah throughout the entire month. I have two entries on Nehemiah 5. The first one said, “Nehemiah did it right. He challenges leading businessmen to treat others fairly. They responded to his leadership. He modeled behavior by sharing, not hoarding, the governor’s provision.”
The second time, I wrote, “‘After serious thought’ (v. 7). Nehemiah was wise. He thought and prayed first, then acted.” I related the passage to a work situation I was facing, “Be more like Nehemiah. What is the threat or harm?”
What to Do When people Complain about You?
In 2012, I wrote, “Nehemiah hears complaints of the people; ‘I took counsel with myself’ (v. 7). Interesting approach to find a solution. I guess we do the same. Think it through on our own and then talk to others.”
I continued to write, “Amazing. Jews were released from exile, slavery in Babylon, only to come home and be enslaved by their own people.” I quoted verse 9, “‘Ought you not to walk in the fear of our God?’ O, if our behavior could be biblical according to a fear of God. Changes are agreed to, biblical behavior is restored. Nehemiah shares his personal commitment to the work and to his people and asks God’s favor for doing so.”
What angered Nehemiah?
Let’s look into Nehemiah chapter 5. Nehemiah sees people being abused. We pick up the story in verse 6, “I was very angry when I heard their outcry and these words. I took counsel with myself” (vv. 6-7).
Is it okay as Christians to get angry? Nehemiah got angry when he saw people being abused. When we see injustice, when we see abuse, it is hopefully a holy anger we feel, just like Nehemiah. And I like this phrase, “I took counsel with myself” (v. 7). In other words, he thought about the situation. What am I going to do about what I am seeing? Then, he acted. He brought charges against the nobles and the officials. “So I said, ‘The thing that you are doing is not good. Ought you not to walk in the fear of our God?’” (v. 9). Nehemiah stood in the gap for the people. He went up against the powers-that-be. He made their case and they responded, “We will do as you say” (v. 12).
What Was Nehemiah Trying to Rebuild?
Nehemiah provided leadership necessary, not only to rebuild the walls around Jerusalem, but to rebuild the culture within the walls of Jerusalem. Leadership is not easy. You can see it has not been easy for Nehemiah, but he never backs down. He faces head-on the challenges that come his way. He closes the chapter with a personal example of leadership:
Moreover, from the time that I was appointed to be their governor in the land of Judah, from the twentieth year to the thirty-second year of Artaxerxes the king, twelve years, neither I nor my brothers ate the food allowance of the governor. The former governors who were before me laid heavy burdens on the people and took from them for their daily ration forty shekels of silver. Even their servants lorded it over the people. But I did not do so, because of the fear of God. I also persevered in the work on this wall, and we acquired no land, and all my servants were gathered there for the work. Moreover, there were at my table 150 men, Jews and officials, besides those who came to us from the nations that were around us. Now what was prepared at my expense for each day was one ox and six choice sheep and birds, and every ten days all kinds of wine in abundance. Yet for all this I did not demand the food allowance of the governor, because the service was too heavy on this people. Remember for my good, O my God, all that I have done for this people (vv. 14-19).
Nehemiah’s point is he did not get any personal gain from the leadership position he was in. He did not even use his food allowance. He did not acquire land for himself. He honored his position and the people he was serving. That would be refreshing from our political leaders today. Why did he behave this way? Because he had a fear of God.
Prayer
Lord, we thank You for the example of Nehemiah. He not only led a building project, he also led a rebuilding project with biblical principles for the people he was serving. May You raise up leaders today who will have the fear of God and honor the people and not gain personally from the positions they hold.
Thank You for the stories we get to see in Your Word. Thank You for the principles we get to observe in people like Nehemiah. Lord, the world needs examples. As we learn from people like Nehemiah, may You bless us with the same characteristics so we can build Your kingdom here on earth.
Like Nehemiah, use us as examples. Might we pray the same prayer he prayed, “Remember for my good, O my God, all that I have done for this people” (v. 19). So let it be written. So let it be done. In Your name, amen.
