In chapter 5 of Nehemiah’s memoirs, all outside obstacles to rebuilding have been surmounted. It’s then that the people cry out against one another, because of usury and worse by the nobles and priests. Nehemiah answers the cries, first by allowing his anger to subside, then rebuking those taking advantage of their fellow Jews. His rebuke hit home, the people repented, and the work resumed with new energy. The chapter closes with Nehemiah’s record of his own sacrifices in these matters. We can take away from this the importance of following Nehemiah’s example and NOT insisting on our rights at the cost of breaking relationships.
