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When Nehemiah was repairing and rebuilding Jerusalem’s walls he suddenly faced internal dissension, as famine resulted in food shortages.

There was also heavy taxation, exploitation and a serious financial crisis.

Rich Jews were feathering their nests by loaning money at high interest rates; arranging mortgages with oppressive terms, and generally exploiting those in financial difficulties.

Labourers who did not own their own land were deeply discouraged. Farmers found things difficult as they mortgaged their fields.

Loan sharks, or financial speculators, had come repossessing the land, and selling families into slavery.

This acute tension between rich and poor was difficult to resolve.

Those who were affluent lived alongside the underprivileged, among the people of God.

The poor were becoming poorer and the rich were becoming richer.

What we are presently experiencing is not a new scenario.

Nehemiah became very angry, as he pondered and assessed the situation. There is nothing wrong with becoming angry.

Jesus said more about money than any other one subject, because it says so much about us.

Nehemiah confronted the hierarchy in Jerusalem privately, and then called a meeting. He reproached the leaders and they are shamed into silence.

We need courage at times to face those with whom we strongly disagree; especially if they are involved in injustice, corruption, or oppressing the poor.

Confrontation is seldom easy. It can be easier to find a reason for not doing what we know needs to be done.

He told the money men to stop coining it in, and made them take an oath to clean up their act. Nehemiah did not trust them.

The wealthy money lenders promised publicly to give up their extortionate practices.

Should we ask the Chancellor or Prime Minister to make the bankers take an oath?

Sandy Shaw
Nairn Christian Fellowship

"Chip Shots from the Ruff of Life" from Tom Kelley

Winning in Christ Jesus