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
In the book of Nehemiah, the Jewish people had returned from exile and were rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem under Nehemiah's leadership, facing both external threats and internal challenges. Wealthy Jews were exploiting their poorer countrymen by charging excessive interest on loans and seizing their lands, which led to social unrest and hardship. Nehemiah confronted the leaders, emphasizing the need to fear God and avoid disgracing the community in the eyes of their pagan enemies, as this could undermine their national restoration.
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