Nehemiah 5, Usury

The exiles who have returned to Jerusalem are busy building the wall, while threatened by the local Samaritans.

Nehemiah 5: 1-5, Oppressive taxes

Now the men and their wives raised a great outcry against their Jewish brothers. 

Some were saying, "We and our sons and daughters are numerous; in order for us to eat and stay alive, we must get grain." 

Others were saying, "We are mortgaging our fields, our vineyards and our homes to get grain during the famine." 

Still others were saying, "We have had to borrow money to pay the king's tax on our fields and vineyards. Although we are of the same flesh and blood as our countrymen and though our sons are as good as theirs, yet we have to subject our sons and daughters to slavery. Some of our daughters have already been enslaved, but we are powerless, because our fields and our vineyards belong to others."

 

There is some type of dispute over inequalities in the region. While people are devoting time to rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem, they are apparently unable to work in the fields or meet debt obligations. The debt obligations have resulted in some being sold into slavery. (This violates the Mosaic Law, see Leviticus 25: 39-43.) In addition, there is apparently usury, that is, those in power are charging high interest rates on the debts.

Nehemiah 5: 6-11, Confrontation

When I heard their outcry and these charges, I was very angry. I pondered them in my mind and then accused the nobles and officials. I told them, "You are exacting usury from your own countrymen!" So I called together a large meeting to deal with them and said: "As far as possible, we have bought back our Jewish brothers who were sold to the Gentiles. Now you are selling your brothers, only for them to be sold back to us!"

They kept quiet, because they could find nothing to say.

So I continued, "What you are doing is not right. Shouldn't you walk in the fear of our God to avoid the reproach of our Gentile enemies? I and my brothers and my men are also lending the people

 money and grain. But let the exacting of usury stop! Give back to them immediately their fields, vineyards, olive groves and houses, and also the usury you are charging them--the hundredth part of the money, grain, new wine and oil."

Nehemiah chastises the wealthy leaders, accusing them of usury and taking advantage of the poor. Especially egregious is the selling of people to the Gentiles, who will not be following the Mosaic Law. Yamauchi suggests that the interest rate is 1% per month, which would be 12.7% annual.

Nehemiah 5: 12-13, Resolution

"We will give it back," they said. "And we will not demand anything more from them. We will do as you say." 

Then I summoned the priests and made the nobles and officials take an oath to do what they had promised. I also shook out the folds of my robe and said, "In this way may God shake out of his house and possessions every man who does not keep this promise. So may such a man be shaken out and emptied!" 

At this the whole assembly said, "Amen," and praised the LORD. And the people did as they had promised.

The leaders agree to give back the taken amounts and to stop the usury. Nehemiah gives a vivid picture of God's actions against those who continue the usury -- he stands up and shakes the dirt out his robe.

Nehemiah 5: 14-15, Governor of Judah

Moreover, from the twentieth year of King Artaxerxes, when I was appointed to be their governor in the land of Judah, until his thirty-second year--twelve years--neither I nor my brothers ate the food allotted to the governor. But the earlier governors--those preceding me--placed a heavy burden on the people and took forty shekels of silver from them in addition to food and wine. Their assistants also lorded it over the people. But out of reverence for God I did not act like that.
 

Nehemiah is appointed governor of Judah and serves for twelve years.  (Yamauchi dates this appointment from about 445 BC to 433 BC.) Nehemiah sets an example by spurning the riches the governor position had traditionally provided. He takes pains to end the taxes on the people that are used to fund the governor's table. 

Regardless of the millenium, those in power seek to make their own life comfortable but Nehemiah refuses this temptation. 

Nehemiah 5: 16-19, Moderation

Instead, I devoted myself to the work on this wall. All my men were assembled there for the work; we did not acquire any land. Furthermore, a hundred and fifty Jews and officials ate at my table, as well as those who came to us from the surrounding nations.
 

Each day one ox, six choice sheep and some poultry were prepared for me, and every ten days an abundant supply of wine of all kinds. In spite of all this, I never demanded the food allotted to the governor, because the demands were heavy on these people.

Remember me with favor, O my God, for all I have done for these people.

Nehemiah attempts to remove outrageous luxury and the oppressive taxation.  One hundred and fifty Jewish leaders and other officials eat at his table. As Nehemiah attempts to govern well, he asks God to bless him in that endeavor and remember his attempt.