Nehemiah 5:11-19

Ne 5:11

Restore, I pray you, to them, even this day, their lands, their vineyards, their oliveyards, and their houses, also the hundredth part of the money, and of the corn, the wine, and the oil, that ye exact of them.

 

Then Nehemiah asks the unthinkable.  Since these wealthy men have taken lands, houses, vineyards from the people in exchange for money, they were now in possession of things which could make them wealthier.  Nehemiah is asking them to return everything they took back to the people they took them from.  He was also asking them to return the usury they exacted from the people which is the hundredth part of the money.  The hundredth part of the corn, wine, and oil was the salary that the nobles had required.  Nehemiah wanted it all returned so the people could feel at ease and then continue on the work of the wall unabated.

 

Ne 5:12

Then said they, We will restore them, and will require nothing of them; so will we do as thou sayest. Then I called the priests, and took an oath of them, that they should do according to this promise.

 

It looks like their conscience got the best of them because they had agreed to restore everything which was gained from the people as Nehemiah had requested.  Even though he was the cupbearer to the king, he still had authority in this area as Governor under the authority of the king of Persia and maybe they thought it best not to cause any rifts.  Then Nehemiah called for the priests for the purpose of administering the oaths and to make sure that these wealthy men and rulers kept their word. The priest had nothing to do with the actual transactions but they were there to ensure all the parties kept their word.  If a man vow a vow unto the LORD, or swear an oath to bind his soul with a bond; he shall not break his word, he shall do according to all that proceedeth out of his mouth. (Numbers 30:2)


Ne 5:13

Also I shook my lap, and said, So God shake out every man from his house, and from his labour, that performeth not this promise, even thus be he shaken out, and emptied. And all the congregation said, Amen, and praised the LORD. And the people did according to this promise.

 

The lap was a fold made in the outer garment near the breast.  The shaking of the lap was a curse and to empty it was a symbol of extermination which meant their houses and live would be emptied of all material goods.  Nehemiah was performing this symbol in front of all those who took the oath that they would return all the lands and the money along with the interest they took from the people.  This symbol would keep those men to the promises they made.  When this was done, then all the people in attendance praised the Lord for this upturn and those who made the oaths kept their promises.

 

Ne 5:14

Moreover from the time that I was appointed to be their governor in the land of Judah, from the twentieth year even unto the two and thirtieth year of Artaxerxes the king, that is, twelve years, I and my brethren have not eaten the bread of the governor.

 

Then Nehemiah declares to the people that since he was appointed Governor which came at a time probably after the wall was completed which meant that he was in Judah for twelve years.  He probably went back to Persia and told the king about all the attainments they had done and the king was probably so impressed with Nehemiah that he appointed him Governor.  Nehemiah asserts that he did not use his position as Governor to lord it over the people as he did have the authority to do so.  The bread of the Governor as stated meant that Nehemiah did not eat the dainties which a position like that would have accordingly but chose to be as one of the people not placing himself as a superior person.

 

Ne 5:15

But the former governors that had been before me were chargeable unto the people, and had taken of them bread and wine, beside forty shekels of silver; yea, even their servants bare rule over the people: but so did not I, because of the fear of God.

 

The former governors were those that ruled between the time of Zerubbabel and Nehemiah which would be about a 70 year span.  These governors had exacted from the people bread and wine which means all sorts of provisions and the 40 shekels of silver each day had amounted to about $112,417 yearly by today’s silver (5/1/20) standard.  It got to the point that even the servants or slaves of these Governors had the authority to command the people.   Then Nehemiah states that he would not do such a thing because he feared the LORD knowing that his position and ministry in Jerusalem was all of the LORD.  Too bad the modern media preachers don’t think that way and stop paying themselves 6 figure salaries.

 

Ne 5:16

Yea, also I continued in the work of this wall, neither bought we any land: and all my servants were gathered thither unto the work.

 

So Nehemiah was not deterred from his original task to complete the wall and after the fiasco with the wealthy men was resolved, he went back to the work of the wall. Nehemiah also states that even though the lands which were back in the hands of the people, he could have purchased those lands himself at reduced prices but he chose not to get involved in those things.  If he did purchase land, then he would have had to dispatch his servants to the keeping of the land and that would have reduced the work force needed to complete the wall.

 

Ne 5:17

Moreover there were at my table an hundred and fifty of the Jews and rulers, beside those that came unto us from among the heathen that are about us.

 

Then Nehemiah states that he had helped feed about 150 Jews who had returned from Persia and the other Gentile nations where they were scattered.   He may have helped these 150 out of his own pocket and did not use any money that was slated for the repair of the wall.  Among these Jews were also rulers of the people which may have been local magistrates or even priests.

 

Ne 5:18

Now that which was prepared for me daily was one ox and six choice sheep; also fowls were prepared for me, and once in ten days store of all sorts of wine: yet for all this required not I the bread of the governor, because the bondage was heavy upon this people.

 

Then Nehemiah states his provisions which would not have been just for himself as an ox and six sheep would represent much provision, too much for only one person.  Then a number of fowls was also prepared for him which would have been shared with the people who helped in the wall project.  Since wine was normally a staple product at all meals, here we have insight that only once in ten days did the wine be replenished which means it was rationed so it would not run out.  Even through all this food hardship Nehemiah refused to eat the dainties which a Persian Governor would be used to having.  He felt one with his people because the burden was heavy upon them when you factor in the King’s tribute and the expenses of rebuilding the wall along with all the labor involved which would tire people out dramatically.

 

Ne 5:19

Think upon me, my God, for good, according to all that I have done for this people.

 

Then Nehemiah prays asking God to think upon him for good according to all that he has done for the people.  For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have shewed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister. (Hebrews 6:10)  Nehemiah was not looking for accolades nor was he looking for riches or a higher position.  What his desire was, was to incur the favor of God for this project and upon his whole life.  He wanted to make sure that he was doing what was right in the eyes of the Lord and not doing anything which might incur the disfavor of God.

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