Under the Influence
How Influencers Handle Betrayal
Nehemiah 5:1-13

I. THE SYMPTOMS (vs.1-5)
v.1 – “Now there arose a great outcry of the people and of their wives against their Jewish brothers.”
v.2 – “For there were those who said, ‘With our sons and our daughters, we are many. So let us get grain, that we may eat and keep alive.’”
v.3 – “There were also those who said, ‘We are mortgaging our fields, our vineyards, and our houses to get grain because of the famine.’”
v.4 – “And there were those who said, ‘We have borrowed money for the king’s tax on our fields and our vineyards.’”

II. THE SOURCE OF THE PROBLEM --Vs.6-11

Neh. 5:1 Now there was a great outcry of the people and of their wives against their Jewish brothers.
Vs.6 Then I was very angry when I had heard their outcry and these words.

Three Violations Fired Nehemiah Man

A. Precepts--Vs.7
Vs. 7a "Nehemiah consulted with himself..."
Vs. 7b “I contended with the Nobles And the Rulers and said to them, “You are exacting usury, each from his brother."
Ex. 22:25, Deuteronomy 23:19-20

B. People--Vs.8
“We according to our ability have redeemed our Jewish brothers who were sold to the nations; now would you even sell your brothers that they may be sold to us?
Ezekiel 34:2 “Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel. Prophesy and say to those shepherds, ‘Thus says the Lord God, “Woe, shepherds of Israel who have been feeding themselves! Should not the shepherds feed the flock?”
Ezek. 34:10 Vs.10. ‘Thus says the Lord God, “Behold, I am against the shepherds,

C. Perception
Vs.9 Again I said, “The thing which you are doing is not good; should you not walk in the fear of our God because of the reproach of the nations, our enemies?
John 13:35

III. THE SOLUTION (vs.11-13)

v.7 – “And I held a great assembly against them.”

Truth: The issue of sin should always take precedent over the issue of productivity.

Four goals of confronting sin:
1. Repentance (v.8; 12)
2. Restitution (v.11)
3. Responsibility (vs.12-13)
4. Restoration