51 Now there was a great outcry of the people and of their wives against their Jewish brothers . 2 For there were those who said , "We, our sons and our daughters are many ; therefore let us get grain that we may eat and live ." 3 There were others who said , "We are mortgaging our fields , our vineyards and our houses that we might get grain because of the famine ." 4 Also there were those who said , "We have borrowed money for the king's tax on our fields and our vineyards . 5 "Now our flesh is like the flesh of our brothers , our children like their children . Yet behold , we are forcing our sons and our daughters to be slaves , and some of our daughters are forced into bondage already, and we are helpless e e because our fields and vineyards belong to others ."
6 Then I was very angry when I had heard their outcry and these words . 7 I consulted with myself and contended with the nobles and the rulers and said to them, " You are exacting usury , each from his brother !" Therefore, I held a great assembly against them. 8 I said to them, "We according to our ability have redeemed our Jewish brothers who were sold to the nations ; now would you even sell your brothers that they may be sold to us?" Then they were silent and could not find a word to say. 9 Again I said , "The thing which you are doing is not good ; should you not walk in the fear of our God because of the reproach of the nations , our enemies ? 10 "And likewise I, my brothers and my servants are lending them money and grain . Please , let us leave off this usury . 11 "Please , give back to them this very day their fields , their vineyards , their olive groves and their houses , also the hundredth part of the money and of the grain , the new wine and the oil that you are exacting from them." 12 Then they said , "We will give it back and will require nothing from them; we will do exactly as you say ." So I called the priests and took an oath from them that they would do according to this promise . 13 I also shook out the front of my garment and said , "Thus may God shake out every man from his house and from his possessions who does not fulfill this promise ; even thus may he be shaken out and emptied ." And all the assembly said , "Amen !" And they praised the Lord . Then the people did according to this promise .
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Nehemiah 5:1-13
Commentary on Nehemiah 5:1-5
(Read Nehemiah 5:1-5)
Men prey upon their fellow-creatures: by despising the poor they reproach their Maker. Such conduct is a disgrace to any, but who can sufficiently abhor it when adopted by professing Christians? With compassion for the oppressed, we should lament the hardships which many in the world are groaning under; putting our souls into their souls' stead, and remembering in our prayers and succours those who are burdened. But let those who show no mercy, expect judgment without mercy.
Commentary on Nehemiah 5:6-13
(Read Nehemiah 5:6-13)
Nehemiah knew that, if he built Jerusalem's walls ever so high, so thick, or so strong, the city could not be safe while there were abuses. The right way to reform men's lives, is to convince their consciences. If you walk in the fear of God, you will not be either covetous of worldly gain, or cruel toward your brethren. Nothing exposes religion more to reproach, than the worldliness and hard-heartedness of the professors of it. Those that rigorously insist upon their right, with a very ill grace try to persuade others to give up theirs. In reasoning with selfish people, it is good to contrast their conduct with that of others who are liberal; but it is best to point to His example, who though he was rich, yet for our sakes became poor, that we, through his poverty, might be rich, 2 Corinthians 8:9. They did according to promise. Good promises are good things, but good performances are better.