“should you not walk in the fear of our God because of the reproach of the nations, our enemies?” Nehemiah 5:9b
As we saw yesterday, Nehemiah has been given permission from Artaxerxes to rebuild the wall. While undertaking this Massive Project, another crisis arises. We read in Verse 1 of Today’s Reading, “there was a great outcry of the people and of their wives against their Jewish brothers”. The People involved in Rebuilding the Wall were struggling just to put food on their tables. Now, they were being taxed to death! They had borrowed money, “mortgaging our fields, our vineyards and our houses that we might get grain because of the famine” and they were being charged Interest by their Own People. This was Forbidden in their Mosaic Code!
When Nehemiah hears this outcry, we are told he became “very angry”. This is what we call “righteous indignation”! But notice how he responds in Today’s Verse. He confronts them with their Duty to “walk in the fear of God”! And now notice Why; “because of the reproach of the nations, our enemies”! How they are Viewed by the Unbeliever,…IS part of that Duty!
Is this not a Summary of the Christian Life, to Fear God and let our Light Shine? This ought to be our Primary Passion in how we live each day! As Jesus said, “Let your Light Shine…in such a way…”. And, unless we are motivated by The Fear Of God, we will not be concerned about our Light! May God give us more of His Fear!!!