Ep. 208. Nehemiah 5-8 | Opposition

EPISODE 208

OPPOSITION: NEHEMIAH 5-8

There are several standout things in this section of Nehemiah, but I want to focus on one point for your consideration. The people of God had been selling the poor among them as slaves. There was oppression of the affluent Jew over the destitute Jew. Nehemiah rebuked the people for that wickedness. Where was the care for the brother and sister in the Lord? Nehemiah tells the violators, "The thing you are doing is not good. Ought you not to walk in the fear of our God to prevent the taunts of the nations, our enemies?"

This may be easy to skip over, but I don't want us to miss the statement's import. The people of God, by their sinful behavior, can give rise to the taunts of the enemies of God. David caused God to be mocked by his sin with Bathsheba, Aaron caused God to be mocked by the crafting and worship of the golden calf, the Babylonians mocked God as they took from Jerusalem the captives and burned the temple of the Lord, and the Jews made a mockery of God by proclaiming the righteousness of the Law but walking in rebellion.

Christian, be sure of this: when we walk in life contrary to the truth of Jesus our Savior, we give rise to the mocking of this great God we know and love. Our righteousness before God is indeed settled on account of the blood of Jesus by our faith. Still, our disobedience serves as fuel for the fire of those seeking opportunities to mock our God and Savior. We ought to care so much about the glorification of our Maker that it brings our lives into conformity with the work of the Spirit in us. We serve not our own reputation but the reputation and glory of God.

ADDITIONAL READING: Ezekiel 36:20; 2 Samuel 12:14; Romans 2:24; Ezra 7:10; Deuteronomy 16:13-15; Leviticus 23:34; Exodus 32:25