“Then I summoned the
priests and made the nobles and officials take an oath to do what they had
promised. I also shook out the folds of
my robe and said, ‘In this way may God shake out of his house and possessions
every man who does not keep this promise.
So may such a man be shaken out and emptied!’ At this the whole assembly said, ‘Amen,’ and
praised the Lord. And the people did as
they promised.” Nehemiah 5:12b-13
We have all quoted the 19th Century English historian, Lord Acton. Let us repeat together: “Power tends to corrupt and absolute power corrupts absolutely.” Recognize him now?
Yet today's text in Nehemiah 5 brings to mind another astute observation from this insightful writer: “Liberty is not the power of doing what we like, but the right of being able to do what we ought.”
As the people labored with Nehemiah to rebuild the wall of Jerusalem, a wealthy few conveniently took the former view freedom, doing as they pleased because ... well, because they could! The landless had to borrow for food, landowners had to mortgage their properties, and others had to borrow money to pay taxes. And the people of means were all too willing to lend to these, their brothers, at exorbitant rates ... because they could!
When Nehemiah heard the people's outcry, he became “very angry.” He wisely “pondered” their charges and then confronted the nobles and officials: “You are exacting usury from your own countrymen!” Then having clearly established that truth of the matter, Nehemiah came along side of the nobles and officials to help them better understand their wrong. He explained, “I and my brothers are also lending the people money and grain. But let the exacting of usury stop! Give back to them immediately their fields, vineyards, olive groves and houses, and also the usury you are charging
them ...”
To Nehemiah, freedom was the ability to do as he ought. It was Lord Acton’s view of freedom; it was the right view of freedom. And its truth cut the nobles and officials to the heart. They kept quiet at first, unable to find anything to say. The words that finally did come were those of conviction and repentance, “We will give it back ... and we will not demand anything more from them. We will do as you say.” And after confirming their intentions with an oath, they all said “Amen” and they praised the Lord, together. Unity was restored.
There is something refreshing about aligning ourselves with God's truth in a matter. Our ways are always at odds with his, and his ways are always good and right. And when we course-correct in conviction and repentance, we experience again peace with God.
Then we are free. Free to do what we ought.
Lord, show me when I've departed your ways in favor of mine. And grace me with your loving voice of conviction, so I may change course and walk your paths again.
We have all quoted the 19th Century English historian, Lord Acton. Let us repeat together: “Power tends to corrupt and absolute power corrupts absolutely.” Recognize him now?
Yet today's text in Nehemiah 5 brings to mind another astute observation from this insightful writer: “Liberty is not the power of doing what we like, but the right of being able to do what we ought.”
As the people labored with Nehemiah to rebuild the wall of Jerusalem, a wealthy few conveniently took the former view freedom, doing as they pleased because ... well, because they could! The landless had to borrow for food, landowners had to mortgage their properties, and others had to borrow money to pay taxes. And the people of means were all too willing to lend to these, their brothers, at exorbitant rates ... because they could!
When Nehemiah heard the people's outcry, he became “very angry.” He wisely “pondered” their charges and then confronted the nobles and officials: “You are exacting usury from your own countrymen!” Then having clearly established that truth of the matter, Nehemiah came along side of the nobles and officials to help them better understand their wrong. He explained, “I and my brothers are also lending the people money and grain. But let the exacting of usury stop! Give back to them immediately their fields, vineyards, olive groves and houses, and also the usury you are charging
them ...”
To Nehemiah, freedom was the ability to do as he ought. It was Lord Acton’s view of freedom; it was the right view of freedom. And its truth cut the nobles and officials to the heart. They kept quiet at first, unable to find anything to say. The words that finally did come were those of conviction and repentance, “We will give it back ... and we will not demand anything more from them. We will do as you say.” And after confirming their intentions with an oath, they all said “Amen” and they praised the Lord, together. Unity was restored.
There is something refreshing about aligning ourselves with God's truth in a matter. Our ways are always at odds with his, and his ways are always good and right. And when we course-correct in conviction and repentance, we experience again peace with God.
Then we are free. Free to do what we ought.
Lord, show me when I've departed your ways in favor of mine. And grace me with your loving voice of conviction, so I may change course and walk your paths again.
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