Nehemiah 5:1-15 Rock Haven Theological College

Hymns 145 31 July 2022

Introduction.

Over the years, and political regimes in Africa and beyond, corruption and other social vices

has been the orders of the day. Corruption is one of the social vices which is undertaken by

the person, state bodies or organizations aligned to offer services in order to acquire benefits

for personal gains. Perhaps some of us this may sound new, but let me hasten to say that, it

was the same during the time of Nehemiah. When Nehemiah came to Jerusalem, he found out

that the former governors had oppressed the people. They were extremely poor, and now

famine threatened them. They could not go out to gather the fruits of the field, for a great

drought had prevented crops. The city was overcrowded. Many had mortgaged their property,

and it was sold from them and they were unable to redeem tthem. They had even come to the

point where it was not unknown to sell their children. Nehemiah set about to restore

prosperity. He comments upon the wicked conduct of the former governors, and says, “So did

not I” because of the fear of the Lord”. There were things he could not do because he Loved

God and the right.

The thing which Nehemiah refused to do was considered a small matter in his time but he

brought a great principle to bear upon it. Although said, he, it was a legitimate source of gain

and a recognised custom, though all his predecessors had done so, and though there was

nothing, but a sentiment to stand in the way of his doing it, yet he could not do it because- he

feared God. Do you remember what Daniel and his friends did in Babylon, a foreign land?

“But Daniel purposed in his heart that he will not defile himself with portion of the King’s

delicacies, nor with wine, which he drank;” Daniel 1:8. I don’t know if it were during my

time and seeing some of the members of this congregation could follow suit? Food and wine?

Unbelievable

The loftiest motives may regulate the simplest duties. Religious principles may be caused to

run through and interpenetrate all living. Religious serapes will cause to give up many

sources of gain and profit and pleasure. “So did I not rent out my property for a brothel” “so

did I not engage in the gambling scheme” “so did not I involve myself and family in

corruption activities”. True religion keeps a person back from many things. It is a good sign

when you see a person daring to be singular. “So did not I, however common the practice;

however many out there adopt it. Each person must stand on his own feet and look through

his own eyes and be guided by his/her own conscience, and make his/her own choice,

because each has to answer to his/her God. Nothing is more important than for us to exercise

personal independence of character in the way of the right. The Bible says we are not to

follow a multitude to do wrong. Many people are like beacons rather than examples. Our

inclinations and desires are liable to hurry us along to destruction unless we keep a strong

hand on the brake. A good, earnest Christian will never permit himself/herself to do certain

things simply because everyone else is doing it. We must learn to be Joseph and say, “how2

can I do this great wickedness and sin before God” (Genesis 39:9) or as Daniel who purposed

in his heart that he would not defile himself ‘or as Nehemiah who said, “So I did not”.

Compliance with wrong is in itself weak and unworthy. Floating with current is weakness.

A cork can float. To drift with the wind, to be tossed about like a thistle down, to be turned

hither and tither like a weathercock is weak and unworthy in any Christian. To be pliable like

wax, to chameleon-like, take our colour from our surroundings is certainly not commendable.

Religion has two sides- non-compliance with wrong and positive allegiance to God. “So did

not I” because of the fear of God. This fear is not terror, but the fear of love. We fear to

displease him because we love him. The idea is the same as when Paul said, “the love of

Christ constraint me”.

The word of the Lord.