BibleProject | One Story That Leads to JesusSample

A new wall can protect Jerusalem from outside threats, but who will protect the people from threats within? In today’s reading, Nehemiah discovers that seven decades of exile failed to sour the Israelites on slavery. The returned exiles have been selling their own people as debt slaves!

Nehemiah drags the city’s elites to an emergency town hall meeting and gives them a tongue-lashing. “We just bought our fellow Israelites out of slavery. Now you’re putting them back in chains?” The wealthy landowners squirm.

This story highlights the tension between failure and hope in post-exile Jerusalem. It’s only been a generation or two, and the Israelites are again enmeshed in toxic patterns of injustice and exploitation that landed them in exile in the first place.

Nehemiah doesn’t only rebuke the people for wrongdoing. He also urges them to make things right with a mini Jubilee. Those who have profited by oppressing their powerless neighbors agree to return everything they’ve swindled.

While Nehemiah has his moments of failure, he seeks justice for the vulnerable and follows God’s instruction. Even though Nehemiah’s vision for Jerusalem’s walls falls short of the prophets’ ideal, he shows remarkable courage and integrity in his work.

Death threats, blackmail, smear campaigns—none of it makes a dent in Nehemiah’s resolve. He rallies the community to persevere faithfully under pressure. Under his leadership, the builders wrap up construction in 52 days, shocking everyone.

Walls have been built. Slaves are set free. Could this be a fresh start for Jerusalem?

Reflection Questions

• Take a moment to review the social and civil laws, including regulations about interest, in Deuteronomy 22-23. Where do you see God placing the needs of the weak over the claims of the powerful in these laws? How do the returned exiles live up to this ideal in today’s reading?
• Compare Nehemiah 5:1-13 to the story of Zacchaeus (Luke 19:1-10). What do these two stories reveal about repentance and restitution when someone cheats their way into wealth?