Read Nehemiah 5.
If the external problems were not enough, Nehemiah now must
deal with an internal threat. A food
shortage prompted those who were starving to sell or mortgage their homes and
fields to other Jews in Jerusalem
Nehemiah started at the top.
He became so angry that he "brought charges against the nobles and
officials." The city was in
survival mode from external threats and now things were going from bad to worse
due to this behavior toward their own in a time of need. These leaders should have led in showing mercy
to the poor. The culture had been one
where those in high position took advantage of the people and lived lavishly
above everyone else. When Nehemiah
became the appointed governor, his view of positional leadership was threefold:
1. Stewardship. It was
God who gave them this opportunity and they would be held accountable to
Him. "Ought you not to walk in the
fear of our God." A steward takes
care of the owner's property and makes decisions based upon what pleases the
owner.
2. Sensitive. He was
cognizant that unbelievers were watching.
Those who belonged to the LORD should behave differently than those who
do not, "to prevent the taunts of the nations our enemies".
3. Service. He did
not demand to be served, but he saw himself appointed to serve. "I also persevered in the work on this
wall, and we acquired no land, and all my servants were gathered there for the
work." This he did in part at his
own expense. It was a privilege, not a
right, to be where he was.
It was the attitude of Jesus. "For even the Son of Man came not to be
served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many." (Mark
10:45)
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