IIT UBF - University Bible Fellowship at IIT

Daily Bread

Fear God and Do Right

Date: Nov. 7, 2014

Passage

Nehemiah 5:1-13  (ESV)

Now there arose a great outcry of the people and of their wives against their Jewish brothers. For there were those who said, “With our sons and our daughters, we are many. So let us get grain, that we may eat and keep alive.” There were also those who said, “We are mortgaging our fields, our vineyards, and our houses to get grain because of the famine.” And there were those who said, “We have borrowed money for the king’s tax on our fields and our vineyards. Now our flesh is as the flesh of our brothers, our children are as their children. Yet we are forcing our sons and our daughters to be slaves, and some of our daughters have already been enslaved, but it is not in our power to help it, for other men have our fields and our vineyards.”

I was very angry when I heard their outcry and these words. I took counsel with myself, and I brought charges against the nobles and the officials. I said to them, “You are exacting interest, each from his brother.” And I held a great assembly against them and said to them, “We, as far as we are able, have bought back our Jewish brothers who have been sold to the nations, but you even sell your brothers that they may be sold to us!” They were silent and could not find a word to say. So I said, “The thing that you are doing is not good. Ought you not to walk in the fear of our God to prevent the taunts of the nations our enemies? 10 Moreover, I and my brothers and my servants are lending them money and grain. Let us abandon this exacting of interest. 11 Return to them this very day their fields, their vineyards, their olive orchards, and their houses, and the percentage of money, grain, wine, and oil that you have been exacting from them.” 12 Then they said, “We will restore these and require nothing from them. We will do as you say.” And I called the priests and made them swear to do as they had promised. 13 I also shook out the fold of my garment and said, “So may God shake out every man from his house and from his labor who does not keep this promise. So may he be shaken out and emptied.” And all the assembly said “Amen” and praised the LORD. And the people did as they had promised.

Daily Bread

Key Verse: 5:9b

First, shouldn't you walk in the fear of God? (1-11) God used Nehemiah not only to rebuild the walls, but to bring about economic reforms in a time of famine and crisis. Some poor Israelites had to sell their properties or even their children into slavery to survive or to pay taxes. Nehemiah heard the complaints of the poor and called a large meeting to rebuke those who were exploiting them for financial gain and to challenge them to give back the seized lands and interest charges. Nehemiah told them to walk in the fear of God and do what is right.

Second, a stern warning (12-13). Through Nehemiah's challenging rebuke, they decided to give back the lands and taxes they took from the poor. Nehemiah warned that anyone who did not keep his promise to do this would be shaken out of their house and possessions. The people said, "Amen," praised the Lord, and did as they promised.

Prayer: Lord, forgive my sins of selfishness. Help me to do right and walk in the fear of God.

One Word: Walk in the fear of God and do right

Daily Bread

Task of Testifying to the Gospel of God’s Grace

Acts 20:13-24

Key Verse: 20:24

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Intro Daily