The Cost of Injustice – Nehemiah

Read Nehemiah 5

                So the work continues on the walls of Jerusalem until internal struggles begin to cripple the workers.  Persian taxes were oppressive to the Jews – so overwhelming that many had to take out loans to pay the taxes.  It was Jewish businessmen that were giving the loans – and get this – charging outrageous interest on the loans to their own people!  This internal injustice had gotten so bad that the financiers had begun to take the daughters of those they loaned to as slaves.  The rich were getting richer and the poor were getting poorer.  The internal corruption and injustice had brought a halt to the work Nehemiah was leading.

                Nehemiah calls an assembly to confront the wicked practice and call those responsible to justice.  In other words, he brings the darkness out into the light.  Even though he is governor, Nehemiah is taking a risk here.  He is confronting the most powerful of the people he leads.  However, he does so by appealing to there conscience.  He can do so because while they have been exploiting their own people, Nehemiah has refused to even take his rightful salary for the position he holds.  He holds the moral high ground and invites the offenders to join him there. 

                Amazingly, it works.  The lenders repent and make good with those they have exploited.  Justice is restored.  The work on the wall resumes. 

                I believe we are in a time of such reckoning here in our own country.  The gap between the have’s and the have-not’s is expanding.  The top 10% income earners make 50% of the total income awarded in the US while the bottom 50% of earners collectively earn 13% of toal wages. The poorest 50% of Americans own 1.5% of available assets. Heartbreaking stories of injustice fill our news cycles.  People without means are dying because they lack easy access to effective health care or cannot afford the drugs they are prescribed, while most CEO’s of drug companies are among the most wealthy individuals in the world.  While we’re on the subject of drugs, fentanyl has become the leading cause of death for adults between 18-45.  Firearms are the leading cause of death for children ages 1-17.  The list of injustices could go on and on.

                Do I like thinking about these things much less talking about them?  No, I do not.  I have to be honest and say that I would rather just find something more positive to focus on like my family or the good people I serve at AUMC.  But what Nehemiah 5 teaches us is that injustice will eventually bring a people to its knees and halt all positive progress.  It must be confronted and there must be a reckoning.  An assembly must be called.

                Fortunately, one has already been called.  We call it the General Election and it’s scheduled for November 5.  This is our current mechanism for calling those in power to account for the injustice taking place on their watch.  My fellow people of faith, use it!  Sincerely ask God to show you who to vote for or in some cases, who to vote against.  You are a member of the current assembly.  Let God’s direction to you be heard in your voice on November 5.

Prayer:  God, give us eyes to see injustice that breaks your heart and the courage to call it out in all the ways you have afforded us.

Prayer:  Pray for those who are fighting eviction right now.

Song:  Preach – John Legend