Doing what is Right

Bienhome Muivah *

"… what you are doing is not right. Shouldn't you walk in the fear of our God …?" (Nehemiah 5:7-11)

The scripture shows us that Nehemiah deal with his anger in a positive and productive way. Verse 9 shows Nehemiah puts into action the ideas that came to him as he carefully thought through the situation. Nehemiah knew that what was being practiced by the loan sharks went completely against God's instructions, and so he courageously confronts those in the wrong.

He first confronts the hierarchy of Jerusalem privately, then calls a large meeting so that everything can be brought out into the open. Here he spells out his objections once again and challenges the nobles to return to the Lord, and order their lives by the standards He has laid down. He reproaches the leader for the fact that they have sold their own people into slavery, and they are ashamed into silence when he goes on to say that the people they sold to the Gentiles have been bought back by Nehemiah and his friends.

They are ashamed even further when Nehemiah reproves them for not walking "in the fear of our God", and challenges them to return immediately the land, property and interest they had taken.

Sometimes, more is needed than to think through issues objectively; we need to encourage also to face and confront those with whom we strongly disagree. Many of us, whenever we know we are right about an issue (at least in our eyes), are content to settle for being right. Only under extreme provocation do we discuss the cause of our anger or concern with the offending party. It is all too easy to find reasons for not doing what we know needs to be done.

Under the lash of Nehemiah's strong rebuke the wealthy money-lenders recant and promise to give up their extortionate practices. Nehemiah knows human nature too well, however, to place confidence in verbal assurances and he demands a stronger commitment-an oath. We now witness all the nobles and officials swearing that they will return to the people their fields and property and no longer exact usury from them.

Here again we see a wise leader at work. Those who have been in similar situations know how easy it is for people to promise they will change but after a while forget about the fact their behavior does not conform to their earlier commitment, are quick to say, "But that is not what I understood I was agreeing to".

Nehemiah was a realist and would not leave anything to chance. He asks the leaders for a formal commitment, and when they agree to take the oath, he validates their promise by a symbolic act. He shakes out the folds of his robe as a sign that God will reject the people if they fail to keep his promise.

As this is done, the whole assembly responds with a loud "Amen". In Deuteronomy 27:15-26 we read that when a spiritual commitment is made, the people who agree to it should respond by saying "Amen". However in this instance not only did the people say "Amen" but they broke out in a spontaneous act of worship and praise.

Thus a day that began in sorrow ends in spiritual rejoicing. But then, when wrongs are righted and God's word honored, it always does. Let's pray to God our Father to help us never to come to the end of a day without righting all wrongs, forgiving all trespasses and ensuring that our life is in line with God's word.

Pray and plan 'How a day should end'!