Also I said, It is not good that ye do: ought ye not to walk in the fear of our God because of the reproach of the heathen our enemies?
I also said to them, 'What you're doing is not right. Shouldn't you live with respect and reverence for our God so that our enemies from other nations won't have reason to criticize us?'
Nehemiah is telling the wealthy Jews that their unfair treatment of their poor neighbors is wrong and gives their enemies ammunition to mock God's people.
📚 Historical Context
Nehemiah was confronting wealthy Jews who were charging excessive interest and taking advantage of their poor countrymen during the rebuilding of Jerusalem's walls. The surrounding nations were already hostile to the Jewish restoration project, and internal injustice would give these enemies more reasons to mock God's people and question their integrity.
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