Nehemiah 5: Self-Interest
Wednesday, September 25, 2024
How does Nehemiah confront oppression in the process of rebuilding Jerusalem? When we examine this chapter of his story, we find that Nehemiah operates with transparency, honesty, and generosity.
When Nehemiah receives God’s call, he answers it in a very big way; he does not do things in half measures. We see that he regards his work in re-building as his vocation and he does not take monetary re-payment for the work of the rebuilding. Nor does he take credit for this amazing feat. In contrast to his predecessors, he takes no reimbursement for his work in the rebuilding Jerusalem’s city walls and Temple. He makes both the physical and financial outlay knowing that God will sustain him. In this way, Nehemiah shows us how to understand our true relationship with our creator.
Nehemiah is an excellent administrator who prays constantly, and who is constantly guided by God. He is neither self-serving nor glory seeking. He understands that God does all, and is all. He speaks with God as his good friend and says: Keep in mind, O my God, in my favor all that I did for this people.
Together with the priest, Ezra, Nehemiah creates a physical structure that enables the faithful to return to Yahweh. He invites the Jewish people, magistrates and peoples from all nations to his table – something unusual for an observing Jew of his era – yet he listens for God’s voice and does whatever is asked of him to realize the work laid out by his God. He rises over a foreign king, distant and local enemies, long-entrenched customs, gossip, and even the in-fighting raging around him in order to achieve this incredible goal of taking the rubble that surrounds him in order to participate in the making of God’s kingdom for both God and God’s people.
We, today, can be new Nehemiahs. We can create around us structures that are collegial, safe, and predictable. We can form relationships that are open, honest, and supportive. We can refrain from nay-saying, gossip and destructive thinking. We can seek solutions, listen more than we talk, think of self last, and remember that God does all and is all.
Adapted from a reflection written on December 23, 2007.
Tomorrow, praying with Nehemiah.
Image from: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Walls_of_Jerusalem
To read about walking the ramparts of Jerusalem, visit: https://www.waynestiles.com/blog/walking-atop-the-wall-of-jerusalem/
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