Nehemiah 5:6

When I heard their outcry and these complaints, I became extremely angry,

Study Bible

When I heard their outcry and these complaints,
Nehemiah, as the governor of Judah, was deeply involved in the rebuilding of Jerusalem's walls. The outcry he heard was from the Jewish people who were suffering under economic oppression by their own countrymen. This situation reflects the social injustices that were prevalent during the post-exilic period. The complaints were about the exploitation through high-interest loans and the selling of children into slavery to pay debts, which was against the Mosaic Law (Exodus 22:25-27, Leviticus 25:35-37). This highlights the importance of community and justice in the covenant relationship with God.

I became extremely angry,
Nehemiah's anger is a righteous indignation, similar to the anger of Jesus when He cleansed the temple (John 2:13-17). This anger is not sinful but is a response to the violation of God's laws and the mistreatment of His people. Nehemiah's reaction is a call to action, demonstrating leadership that aligns with God's heart for justice and compassion. His response is also reminiscent of the prophets who spoke against social injustices, such as Amos and Isaiah, emphasizing the need for leaders to advocate for the oppressed.

Persons / Places / Events

1. Nehemiah
The central figure in this passage, Nehemiah was a Jewish leader and cupbearer to the Persian king Artaxerxes. He played a crucial role in rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem and reforming the community.

2. The Jewish People
The community in Jerusalem, who were facing economic oppression and exploitation by their own nobles and officials.

3. Jerusalem
The city where these events take place, significant as the center of Jewish worship and identity.

4. Nobles and Officials
The Jewish leaders who were exploiting their fellow Jews through usury and unjust practices.

5. Outcry
The complaints and grievances of the oppressed Jewish people, which reached Nehemiah and prompted his response.

Teaching Points

Righteous Anger
Nehemiah's anger was not sinful but righteous, as it was directed against injustice and exploitation. Believers should discern when anger is appropriate and ensure it aligns with God's principles.

Advocacy for the Oppressed
Nehemiah's response to the outcry teaches us the importance of standing up for those who are oppressed and taking action against injustice within our communities.

Leadership and Accountability
Nehemiah exemplifies godly leadership by holding the nobles and officials accountable. Leaders today should also ensure they are leading with integrity and justice.

Community Responsibility
The passage highlights the responsibility of the community to care for one another, especially the vulnerable. Christians are called to support and uplift each other.

Listening to the Outcry
Nehemiah's attentiveness to the people's grievances reminds us of the importance of listening to those who are suffering and responding with compassion and action.

Bible Study Questions

1. What can we learn from Nehemiah's response to the outcry of the people, and how can we apply this in situations of injustice today?

2. How does Nehemiah 5:6 challenge us to examine our own reactions to injustice and exploitation in our communities?

3. In what ways does the Bible instruct us to handle anger, and how can we ensure our anger is righteous like Nehemiah's?

4. How can we, as a church or community, better support those who are oppressed or marginalized, following Nehemiah's example?

5. What other biblical examples of righteous anger can we find, and how do they inform our understanding of Nehemiah's actions in this passage?

Connections to Other Scriptures

Exodus 22:25
This verse prohibits charging interest to fellow Israelites, which connects to the issue of usury that Nehemiah addresses.

Proverbs 14:31
This verse speaks about oppressing the poor and honors God by showing kindness to the needy, which aligns with Nehemiah's anger towards the exploitation of the poor.

James 1:19-20
These verses discuss being slow to anger, which can be contrasted with Nehemiah's righteous anger, showing that anger can be justified when it aligns with God's justice.