Nehemiah 5:6,7 - Joseph Benson’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

Then I was very angry Grieved exceedingly at this sin of the nobles. Then I consulted with myself I restrained the emotions of my mind, being afraid to do any thing in a fit of anger or vexation and coolly considered, and deliberated with myself, what was best to be done. And I rebuked the nobles and rulers Who were the moneyed men, and whose power, perhaps, made them more bold to oppress; and said, You exact usury every one from his brother Which was against the plain and positive law of God, (Deuteronomy 23:19-20,) especially in this time of public calamity and dearth. And I set a great assembly against them I called a public congregation, both of the rulers and people, the greatest part whereof were free from this guilt, and therefore more impartial judges of the matter, and I represented it to them, that the offenders might be convinced and reformed; if not for fear of God, or love of their brethren, yet at least for the public shame, and the cries of the poor. Ezra and Nehemiah were both good and useful men; but of how different tempers! Ezra was a man of a mild, tender spirit, and when told of the sin of the rulers, rent his clothes and wept. Nehemiah forced them to reform, being of a warm and eager spirit. So God's work may be done, and yet different methods taken in doing it; which is a good reason why we should not arraign the management of others, nor make our own a standard.