Nehemiah 5:9

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

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Nehemiah 5:9

Also I said, it is not good that ye do ,.... The meaning is, that it was very bad; it is a "meiosis", by which more is intended than is expressed: ought ye not to walk in the fear of our God ; in reverence of him and his law, and according to that: because of the reproach of the Heathen our enemies ? whose mouths will be open to reproach the true religion, and the good ways of God; and say, these are the men that pretend to fear God, and serve him, and yet break his law, and use... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Nehemiah 5:9

Ought ye not to walk in the fear of our God - If ye wish to accredit that religion ye profess which comes from the God of justice and mercy; should you not, in the sight of the heathen, abstain from injustice and cruelty? Can they credit your profession, when they see such practices? The inconsistent conduct of some professors of religion does much harm in the Church of God. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Nehemiah 5:1-13

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

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Nehemiah 5:1-13

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

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Nehemiah 5:1-13

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

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Nehemiah 5:1-13

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

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Nehemiah 5:1-19

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

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Nehemiah 5:9

Also I said . To silence the nobles was not enough. To shame them was not enough. What was wanted was to persuade them. Nehemiah therefore continued his address. It is not good that ye do . It is not good in itself, apart from any contrast with what I have been doing . Ought ye not to walk —or, literally, "will ye not walk"— in the fear of our God? Will ye not really, "fear God and keep his commandments, not in the letter only, but in the spirit? Will ye not cease to oppress your... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Nehemiah 5:9

Avoidance of reproach. "Ought ye not to walk?" etc. The "reproach" spoken of here is supposed by some to be that arising from the feeble condition of the Jews, which the conduct of these extortioners was likely to perpetuate and increase. Better, however, to interpret it of the just reproach which such conduct would occasion. I. REPROACHES OF MEN WHICH ARE NOT TO BE REGARDED . Those which are directed against— 1. The Christian faith. 2. Christian confession.... read more

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