Think upon me, my God, for good— See the note on ch. Nehemiah 13:31.
REFLECTIONS.—1st, We heard but lately the cry of fear, because of the enemy without; in this chapter we have the cry of the poor, because of the oppressor within. Two causes had contributed to their poverty and distress; the dearth of their land, and the tribute still lying on them, which must be paid. To satisfy the cravings of hunger for themselves and families, as well as the relentless demands of the tax-gatherers, they were obliged, not only to mortgage their lands and vineyards, but to sell their children (though of the same stock and family as the richest), to relieve their wants, without the power of redemption, because of the growing debt from the usury exacted by their hard-hearted brethren. Note; (1.) Among the most unhappy situations in life, we may justly reckon that of being in debt without power to pay. (2.) It is cruel to take advantage of our brethren's distress, and to make their yoke heavier by usurious exactions. (3.) When times are hard, the wants of the poor cry for relief: it becomes us to have our ears open to their application, and our hand ready to relieve their wants. (4.) Let those who grind the faces of the poor tremble at their cries, which enter into the ears of a compassionate God. (5.) The distress of his family is more grievous to a tender parent, than his own.
2nd, With tender sympathy for his brethren's distressed case, the good Nehemiah defers not to seek immediate redress. It was of more importance to secure the God of the poor for their friend, than to dwell in a city which had bars and gates.
1. He was angry: a holy indignation warmed his heart; yet, not hasty in his spirit, he bethought him how the grievance might best be redressed. Note; (1.) We may be angry without offending, when sin, and not the person of the sinner, is the object of our displeasure. (2.) Before we rebuke, we should deliberate; that we may speak, not the language of passion, but the word of meekness.
2. He openly rebuked the nobles, who had been the authors of the oppression; called an assembly to determine upon the case; or engaged the people in a body to bring in their complaints, that the offenders might be convicted, and the abuse reformed. Note; (1.) No man is so great as to be above the reproof of a faithful minister. (2.) Popular complaints, when just, demand speedy redress.
3. He remonstrates with them on the evil of their conduct; not merely to reform them by his authority, but to awaken their consciences to a sense of sin. They were their brethren, and therefore entitled to peculiar tenderness: many of them had been but lately redeemed from their heathen masters, to whom, at Babylon, and the countries around, they had been sold; and to bring them again into bondage would be very cruel. They who did such things must needs be destitute of the fear of God. Himself, and those who were with him, had shewn them a better example: besides, nothing would give the heathens around them greater cause for reproach. He therefore exhorts them to immediate restitution of the mortgaged lands and houses, and entreats that they will desist from their exorbitant usury. Note; (1.) The relation that we stand in to each other, as brethren, should engage our compassion. (2.) They who are once God's redeemed people, ought never more to return into bondage. (3.) They who have a zeal for God's cause will be tenderly careful to bring no reproach upon it. (4.) A worldly-minded and niggardly professor is the greatest scandal to religion. (5.) When we have done ill, it becomes us to labour to undo it. There can be no simplicity towards God, without restitution to the oppressed. (6.) They who themselves set a good example can speak with greater confidence. (7.) It is a wise man's maxim to entreat where he may command, and seek to engage a compliance rather than use compulsion.
4. As they could not answer his remonstrance, and professed their readiness to comply with his request, the priests are called to administer an oath to them, and with a solemn imprecation to bind them to be faithful thereto. Nor were they backward, but added their ready amen to the oath that he exacted, and praised the Lord; both those who were relieved, for the mercy they had received; and they who had yielded up the mortgaged lands, that God had given them such a heart; and their performance was as punctual as the oath was solemn. Note; (1.) It is a mercy when a wise rebuke finds an obedient ear. (2.) An oath is sacredly to be fulfilled: the perjured, God will judge.