I likewise, and my brethren, and my servants, might exact of them money and corn ,.... For our maintenance, in consideration of the services done by us, which would appear but reasonable, but this we decline for the sake of easing our poor brethren: I pray you let us leave off this usury ; and not exact it, as has been too much and too long used. read more
1. Over-population (verse 2); 2. A recent famine (verse 3); and, 3. The weight of taxation, arising from the large amount annually demanded from the province by the Persians in the way of tribute (verse 4). As there is no reason to suppose that the tribute had been augmented recently, this cause must be viewed as constant. The over-population may have arisen, in part, from the influx of immigrants, in part from the narrow extent of the territory which the returned tribes had... read more
Extortion rebuked. Rulers of men have no easy task. No sooner have they provided a remedy for one evil than another presents itself. Nehemiah found this to be the case. He had preserved the city from the enemies outside, and was fast proceeding with the fortifications which would be a permanent protection; but before they were completed a cry arose within which called his attention to dangers quite as threatening. Of what avail to have secured the people from the foreign foe if they were... read more
The rich rebuked for taking advantage of the poor. I. THE POOR . 1. Numbers tend to poverty. "We, our sons, and our daughters, are many: therefore we take up corn for them, that we may eat, and live" (verse 2). 2. Borrowing tends to poverty. "We have mortgaged our lands" (verse 3). 3. Taxation tends to poverty. "We have borrowed money for the king's tribute" (verse 4). 4. Poverty may sometimes have cause for protest against injustice. 5. Poverty is experienced by... read more
Error and return. In the very midst of apparent success, when the Church is building its walls and seems likely to be triumphant and secure, there may be an aggravated evil springing up and spreading to its very heart. Such was the case at Jerusalem when the walls of its defence were rising. When priests and people were repairing the defences, there was circulating a deadly mischief within the whole body. We look at— I. THE WORST EVIL FROM WHICH THE CHURCH OF CHRIST ... read more
An example of successful activity for God. A great practical reformation carried out by a religious ruler on the highest religious principles, and by the strength of religious character. No more difficult task than to deal successfully with such circumstances in which men's selfish interests were involved, .and the monied classes would be against reform. Nehemiah, by his wisdom, boldness, and simple-minded appeal to God, achieved a marvellous success. Notice— I. The direct appeal to... read more
I likewise … might exact of them . Rather, "have lent them." I and mine have advanced to the poorer classes, in this period of their distress, money and corn ; but not as you have, not upon security. Let us then, all of us, you as well as I, henceforth relinquish this practice of mortgaging and pledge-taking. read more
I ... might exact - Nehemiah had lent, but not upon pledge. read more
Nehemiah 5:10. I likewise, and my brethren In office; who are employed with me in the government of this people; and my servants In my name and for my use; might exact of them money and corn As a just recompense for our pains and care for the public good, to which we wholly devote ourselves, even to the neglect of all our private concerns. But I freely remit my own right, and therefore you also ought to remit yours, seeing I lay no burden upon you but what I am willing to bear a part of... read more
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Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Nehemiah 5:6-13
It should seem the foregoing complaint was made to Nehemiah at the time when he had his head and hands as full as possible of the public business about building the wall; yet, perceiving it to be just, he did not reject it because it was unseasonable; he did not chide the petitioners, nor fall into a passion with them, for disturbing him when they saw how much he had to do, a fault which men of business are too often guilty of; nor did he so much as adjourn the hearing of the cause or... read more