The fear of God

Nehemiah 5

Introduction

In chapter 5, Nehemiah faces a new “attack” among the workers in Jerusalem. Disunity broke out among the Jews. How often Satan uses such disunity, complaints and disagreements to bring the Lord’s work to a halt. Nehemiah coped with the problem superbly, humbly and effectively. His approach and his motives are an example to us. He was especially concerned that his guiding light should be the fear of God.

The complaints Nehemiah heard

Up to the start of this chapter, the people had been unified, but now they appear to be coming apart at the seams because of grievances. Now the men and their wives raised a great outcry against their Jewish brothers (Nehemiah 5:1). There were many mouths to feed, and grain was needed to make bread. They had mortgaged their fields, vineyards and homes for food because of the shortage. Some were having to borrow money to pay their taxes, and were forced to sell their sons and daughters into slavery. There was nothing they could do to help the situation. Because they were so busy working on the walls, they had not been able to cultivate their fields. This produced a very real social problem. The rich were getting richer, and the poor were getting poorer – even though they were all supposed to be brothers and sisters, fellow Jews. Yet the rich were taking advantage when they had the opportunity. Little love for the neighbour was being shown when there was money to be made.

So Nehemiah faced this big social problem. Enemies were waiting to pounce, the walls needed repairing, rubble needed to be removed, and now there was dissension and exploitation and greed and injustice among the people. He needed to act quickly.

The steps he took

Nehemiah was very angry. C.f. the anger of Jesus when the moneychangers were exploiting the worshippers in the Temple. This was not selfish anger but righteous indignation at greed and exploitation and abuse. I pondered them (the charges) in my mind (Nehemiah 5:7). He did not take the cowards way out and procrastinate. He dealt with the issue at once, though it did not make him popular with the leaders of society. He accused the rich of taking usury (interest) from their fellow Jews. He called a large meeting together, and accused them of selling their brothers, who were then bought back at public expense. Those whom he accused had no answer, and kept quiet.

Nehemiah pointed out that what they had done was wrong, inhumane and dishonouring to God, and a bad witness to the Gentiles. He insisted that they stopped at once, that the fields, vineyards and houses were returned, together with the interest already gained. Usury was against the law (Deuteronomy 23:19). Nehemiah made them promise not to exploit the poor again, and placed a curse on any who did.

The story ends with the whole assembly saying “Amen”, and praising God. And the people did as they had promised (Nehemiah 5:13). At a stroke, brotherhood and kindness triumphed over the cutthroat business practice. Nehemiah’s wise and masterful leadership saved the work of rebuilding the wall and restored harmony and compassion among the people.

Notice that Nehemiah was willing to admit his own failure. I and my brothers and my men are also lending the people money and grain (Nehemiah 5:10) – though presumably on different terms from the others. Now he sees the poverty, and calls for gifts and not loans. He openly and frankly admitted his mistake. This was a wise thing to do. If he concealed it, and it came to light later, he would have lost respect, and that would have been an end of his leadership.

It was a very courageous thing to do. It is especially difficult for a leader, who tells others what to do, to admit his own mistakes publicly – whether a minister, or a father. He is looked up to and respected as a mature person, some foolishly thinking he can do no wrong. Then for him to admit he is mistaken, he has failed, let them down. But though tough to do, it did not harm Nehemiah. His moral credit was enhanced. This honest man was prepared to confess his own misjudgements and lapses. He led the people in making a change. We should never shrink from confessing mistakes. It is humiliating and embarrassing, but leads to respect, clear conscience and freedom.

The example Nehemiah set

The story recalled in Nehemiah 5:14-19 reveals again how far Nehemiah was from self-seeking and feathering his own nest out of privileges and perks of office. As governor he had a right to a food allowance, but for twelve years of governorship he refused to take it, because he refused to exploit the people who had to provide it through a heavy tax burden and gifts. In this, he was unlike previous governors who had heavily taxed people and required food and wine, and whose assistants did the same.

Nehemiah’s motive in abstaining and renouncing this right was reverence for God. Instead he worked hard on the walls and refused to take land for himself, and provided hospitality out of his own pocket for 150 Jews and officials. They were his guests, so he provided for them animals, poultry and wine, and never asked to be repaid. C.f. Paul, though he had a right to be supported by the churches, renounced that right and provided for himself (1 Corinthians 9:15).

Nehemiah was called to Jerusalem to serve the people, and he did so. He did not use his office for his own ends. Remember me with favour, O my God, for all I have done for these people (Nehemiah 5:19). He was not claiming merit, but asserting his sincerity in serving others for the Lord’s sake. He was a true shepherd and leader of the flock. This was the motive behind his entire life, service and behaviour, and it is an important motive for all of us.

There are various motives that should influence a Christian. (1) Love for others, (2) not to be a stumbling block to others, (3) to glorify God, (4) not to bring disgrace on the Gospel and cause the world to ridicule. But Nehemiah’s motive was reverence for God. Out of reverence for God (the fear of God NKJV) I did not act like that (Nehemiah 5:15).

The fear of the Lord is a very strong motive for Godly living in the Bible. Joseph feared the Lord in refusing the advances of Potiphar’s wife (Genesis 39:9). The midwives did not carry out Pharaoh’s orders to kill the baby boys because they feared God (Exodus 1:17). Later in Nehemiah, Hananiah is described as a man of integrity and who feared the Lord (Nehemiah 7:2). Job feared the Lord (Job 1:8), as did the Roman centurion, Cornelius (Acts 10:2). And the early church was strengthened; and encouraged by the Holy Spirit, it grew in numbers, living in the fear of the Lord (Acts 9:31).

When men and women feared the Lord, they behaved in a certain way. There were certain things they would not do, they were prepared to be in a minority of one, and everything was determined by the presence, holiness, will and approval of God. Many times in the Bible we are urged to fear the Lord. This will shape our conduct. This is the doorway into many blessings. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom (Psalm 111:10). When we fear the Lord and depart from evil, we will find protection, mercy, and we will not lack anything. The eyes of the Lord are on those who fear him (Psalm 33:18). Worship God acceptably with reverence and awe (Hebrews 12:28).

It is so easy because of fear and cowardice to want to be like everyone else. It can make life unpleasant to stand up and be counted. We all like to be liked. It is comfortable being one of the crowd. But if we say we will act in a certain way out of fear of the Lord, we are likely to find ourselves in the minority. People will try to persuade us to conform. But this is not the way to win them for the Lord. The church was never more effective and attractive to the world than when she was utterly different from it. And the world, despite its criticisms, respects us for fearing God and being different.

Yet the term “fear of the Lord” is strange and distinctly old-fashioned. It is rarely spoken of or used in conversation. We rarely give the impression to others that the fear of the Lord is important to us. Indeed, some churches make a point of being free and easy, jokey and jovial, casual and having fun. They go on about the God of love, there to provide and help, but make no mention of the fear of the Lord.

Close with three illustrations: It was said of John Knox “he feared the face of God so much that he never feared the face of man.” Duncan Campbell, who preached during the Hebrides Revival, was asked, “Are you walking with God?” His answer was, “I am pleased to tell you I fear God.” And thirdly the words of Charles Wesley:

“I want a godly fear,

A quick discerning eye

That looks to Thee when sin is near

And sees the tempter fly.

I want a true regard,

A single steady aim,

Unmoved by threatening or reward

To Thee and Thy great name.

A jealous, just concern

For Thine immortal praise;

A pure desire that all may learn

And glorify Thy grace.”