Nehemiah A Societal Crisis Nehemiah A Societal Crisis

Nehemiah & A Societal Crisis

Nehemiah & A Societal Crisis • What is “usury”? • The practice of charging interest that is either too high, or unmoral. • Leviticus 25: 35 -37 • Deuteronomy 23: 19 -20 • God has condemned the practice of “usury” THE PEOPLE OF GOD

Nehemiah & A Societal Crisis • We see three protesters here… • Those with little food and no way to procure it • Those with land but had been forced to mortgage that land for food • Those who had been forced to borrow money, with exorbitant THE PEOPLE OF interest rates, GOD to pay Persian taxes.

Nehemiah’s Reaction • He was VERY angry • Ephesians 4: 26 • He controlled himself • He rebuked the sin • Ex. 22: 25/Lev. 25: 42 • He recognized the true nature of this sin • It was against God • It would affect them all THE PEOPLE OF GOD

Nehemiah’s Reaction • They should repent • Not just be sorry but make restoration • Bound by an oath to do as they have said. • Left with a warning if they would not. • Similar to the words of THE PEOPLE OF GOD Jesus and Paul.

Nehemiah’s Example • The previous treatment is compared to this example of Nehemiah’s treatment of the people. • Nehemiah seeks remembrance not from you and me… but from God THE PEOPLE OF GOD

Nehemiah & A Societal Crisis