Step up and do right!

In reading Nehemiah, Israel is rebuilding the wall in Jerusalem, and Nehemiah finds that many Jews are being oppressed by their own brothers(people). So what does Nehemiah do....ignore it or step up and do something?



Nehemiah 5:9



9 So I said, “The thing that you are doing is not good. Ought you not to walk in the fear of our God to prevent the taunts of the nations our enemies?



First, if you go back and read Nehemiah tells them of their wrong doing and then says the above verse. "Walk in the fear of God!" This is the key to it all, we need to do right because we fear God. He loves us like a good father and expects us to treat others right or consequences will come!



The people listen to Nehemiah's words and respond:



Nehemiah 5:12



12 Then they said, “We will restore these and require nothing from them. We will do as you say.” And I called the priests and made them swear to do as they had promised.



This required them to return what they had taken from them...houses, fields, vineyards, orchards and a percentage of money, grain, wine, and oil that they hard extorted from them! They agreed to do so.



Then Nehemiah did this:



Nehemiah 5:13



13 I also shook out the fold of my garment and said, “So may God shake out every man from his house and from his labor who does not keep this promise. So may he be shaken out and emptied.” And all the assembly said “Amen” and praised the Lord. And the people did as they had promised.



In other words, do as you say or God will take care of you!



So Nehemiah took a stand for folks who needed help. Think about it, are you standing in the gap for those who need a hand or a voice? God may be waiting for you to stand up and do something! Do it!



Tom