Neh 5:8 | KingComments | STEP | Nehemiah testifies to the great assembly how his conduct and that of his brethren were in exile. They set their brethren loose ( ) to the extent that they were able to do so. How great is the evil that, in the very country in which the Jews were bought to free them, they are sold again and lose their freedom. And not by enemies, but by their own flesh and blood! Being ‘on holy ground’ does not mean safekeeping for the most unholy actions. Those who have adopted the right position can sometimes act more wickedly than those who are still in the foreign land. The Jews of Jerusalem are in the better “church” position, while their brothers who are still in Babylon are in a purer moral state. In assuming the right church position, there is no certainty that there will also be a good mind toward one another. Both are important. You cannot do one without the other. Nehemiah can point to his own example. This gives him moral authority and strength to his words. Paul can point to his own example as a support for what he tells others ( ; ; ). The people can say nothing of Nehemiah’s charge (cf. ). That points to acknowledgment. As long as there are objections, it is not possible to correct evil. But when God’s thoughts are passed on and the people listen, they bow to the reproof. They seek no excuses. Nehemiah here shows himself to be “a wise reprover to a listening ear” ( ). When people bow before the Word of God, the way to blessing is opened.

‏ Nehemiah 5:8

Charge of Nehemiah

Nehemiah testifies to the great assembly how his conduct and that of his brethren were in exile. They set their brethren loose (Lev 25:47-55) to the extent that they were able to do so. How great is the evil that, in the very country in which the Jews were bought to free them, they are sold again and lose their freedom. And not by enemies, but by their own flesh and blood!

Being ‘on holy ground’ does not mean safekeeping for the most unholy actions. Those who have adopted the right position can sometimes act more wickedly than those who are still in the foreign land. The Jews of Jerusalem are in the better “church” position, while their brothers who are still in Babylon are in a purer moral state. In assuming the right church position, there is no certainty that there will also be a good mind toward one another. Both are important. You cannot do one without the other.

Nehemiah can point to his own example. This gives him moral authority and strength to his words. Paul can point to his own example as a support for what he tells others (1Thes 1:5b; Acts 20:34; Phil 3:17). The people can say nothing of Nehemiah’s charge (cf. Acts 15:12). That points to acknowledgment. As long as there are objections, it is not possible to correct evil. But when God’s thoughts are passed on and the people listen, they bow to the reproof. They seek no excuses. Nehemiah here shows himself to be “a wise reprover to a listening ear” (Pro 25:12). When people bow before the Word of God, the way to blessing is opened.