EGW WritingsNehemiah 5
Ellen G. White
Read Nehemiah 5 in the BibleNehemiah 5:1-15
Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 11 (1896)
Lt 4, 1896
11LtMs, Lt 4, 1896, par. 36
In the days of Nehemiah “there was a great cry of the people and of their wives against their brethren the Jews. For there were that said, We, our sons, and our daughters are many; therefore we take up corn for them, that we may eat, and live. Some also there were that said, We have mortgaged our lands, vineyards, and houses, that we might buy corn, because of the dearth. ... Yet now our flesh is as the flesh of our brethren, our children as their children; and lo, we bring into bondage our sons and our daughters to be servants, and some of our daughters are brought into bondage already; neither is it in our power to redeem them; for other men have our lands and our vineyards. And,” writes Nehemiah, “I was very angry when I heard their cry and these words.” [Nehemiah 5:1-3, 5, 6.]11LtMs, Lt 4, 1896, par. 37
I have heard from many the cry of unjust dealing, and knowing something of the inward working of these matters, I have been stirred with indignation. For years men have been working contrary to God’s Word, ignoring judgment and justice. Shall we be compelled to follow the same course pursued by Nehemiah? We read of him, “I consulted with myself, and I rebuked the nobles, and the rulers, and said unto them, Ye exact usury, every one against his brother. And I set a great assembly against them.” “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 likewise and my brethren, and my servants might exact of them money and corn: I pray you, let us leave off this usury.” “The former governors that had been before me were chargeable unto the people, and had taken of them bread and wine, besides forty shekels of silver, ... but so did not I, because of the fear of God.” [Verses 7, 9, 10, 15.]11LtMs, Lt 4, 1896, par. 44
God’s servants are to resist sternly any deviation from righteous principles. Nehemiah took his stand decidedly against the first encroachment of man’s rights. He had his own brother officers to meet, but he separated himself from them and rebuked their plans to obtain control of everything. He stood as a reprover, frowning down their course, which was contrary to the Bible standard of righteousness. When urged to confederate with them in their course of injustice, he gave a decided testimony, “So did not I, because of the fear of God.” [Verse 15.]Manuscript Releases, vol. 17 [Nos. 1236-1300]
MR No. 1268—Wrong Principles Followed in Battle Creek; Moral Integrity to be Maintained by Each Individual
17MR 191.3
In the days of Nehemiah “there was a great cry of the people and of their wives against their brethren the Jews. For there were that said, We, our sons, and our daughters, are many: therefore we take up corn for them, that we may eat, and live. Some also there were that said, We have mortgaged our lands, vineyards, and houses, that we might buy corn, because of the dearth.... Yet now our flesh is as the flesh of our brethren, our children as their children; and, lo, we bring into bondage our sons and our daughters to be servants, and some of our daughters are brought into bondage already; neither is it in our power to redeem them; for other men have our lands and vineyards.” “And,” writes Nehemiah, “I was very angry when I heard their cry and these words” [Nehemiah 5:1-6].17MR 191.4
I have heard from many the cry of unjust dealing, and, knowing something of the inward working of these matters, I have been stirred with indignation. For years men have been working contrary to God’s word, ignoring judgment and justice. Shall we be compelled to follow the same course pursued by Nehemiah? We read of him, “I consulted with myself, and I rebuked the nobles, and the rulers, and said unto them, Ye exact usury, every one of his brother. And I set a great assembly against them.” “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 likewise, and my brethren, and my servants, might exact of them money and corn: I pray you, let us leave off this usury.” “The former governors that had been before me were chargeable unto the people, and had taken of them bread and wine, beside forty shekels of silver, ... but so did not I, because of the fear of God” [verses 7, 9, 10, 15].Nehemiah 5:1-19
Prophets and Kings
Chapter 54—A Rebuke Against Extortion
PK 646.1
The wall of Jerusalem had not yet been completed when Nehemiah’s attention was called to the unhappy condition of the poorer classes of the people. In the unsettled state of the country, tillage had been to some extent neglected. Furthermore, because of the selfish course pursued by some who had returned to Judea, the Lord’s blessing was not resting upon their land, and there was a scarcity of grain.PK 646.2
In order to obtain food for their families, the poor were obliged to buy on credit and at exorbitant prices. They were also compelled to raise money by borrowing on interest to pay the heavy taxes imposed upon them by the kings of Persia. To add to the distress of the poor, the more wealthy among the Jews had taken advantage of their necessities, thus enriching themselves.PK 646.3
The Lord had commanded Israel, through Moses, that every third year a tithe be raised for the benefit of the poor; and a further provision had been made in the suspension of agricultural labor every seventh year, the land lying fallow, its spontaneous products being left to those in need. Faithfulness in devoting these offerings to the relief of the poor and to other benevolent uses would have tended to keep fresh before the people the truth of God’s ownership of all, and their opportunity to be channels of blessing. It was Jehovah’s purpose that the Israelites should have a training that would eradicate selfishness, and develop breadth and nobility of character.PK 647.1
God had also instructed through Moses: “If thou lend money to any of My people that is poor by thee, thou shalt not be to him as an usurer.” “Thou shalt not lend upon usury to thy brother; usury of money, usury of victuals, usury of anything that is lent upon usury.” Exodus 22:25; Deuteronomy 23:19. Again He had said, “If there be among you a poor man of one of thy brethren within any of thy gates in thy land which the Lord thy God giveth thee, thou shalt not harden thine heart, nor shut thine hand from thy poor brother: but thou shalt open thine hand wide unto him, and shalt surely lend him sufficient for his need, in that which he wanteth.” “For the poor shall never cease out of the land: therefore I command thee, saying, Thou shalt open thine hand wide unto thy brother, to thy poor, and to thy needy, in thy land.” Deuteronomy 15:7, 8, 11.PK 647.2
At times following the return of the exiles from Babylon, the wealthy Jews had gone directly contrary to these commands. When the poor were obliged to borrow to pay tribute to the king, the wealthy had lent them money, but had exacted a high rate of interest. By taking mortgages on the lands of the poor, they had gradually reduced the unfortunate debtors to the deepest poverty. Many had been forced to sell their sons and daughters into servitude; and there seemed no hope of improving their condition, no way to redeem either their children or their lands, no prospect before them but ever-increasing distress, with perpetual want and bondage. Yet they were of the same nation, children of the same covenant, as their more favored brethren.PK 648.1
At length the people presented their condition before Nehemiah. “Lo,” they said, “we bring into bondage our sons and our daughters to be servants, and some of our daughters are brought into bondage already: neither is it in our power to redeem them; for other men have our lands and vineyards.”PK 648.2
As Nehemiah heard of this cruel oppression, his soul was filled with indignation. “I was very angry,” he says, “when I heard their cry and these words.” He saw that if he succeeded in breaking up the oppressive custom of exaction he must take a decided stand for justice. With characteristic energy and determination he went to work to bring relief to his brethren.PK 648.3
The fact that the oppressors were men of wealth, whose support was greatly needed in the work of restoring the city, did not for a moment influence Nehemiah. He sharply rebuked the nobles and rulers, and when he had gathered a great assembly of the people he set before them the requirements of God touching the case.PK 648.4
He called their attention to events that had occurred in the reign of King Ahaz. He repeated the message which God had at the time sent to Israel to rebuke their cruelty and oppression. The children of Judah, because of their idolatry, had been delivered into the hands of their still more idolatrous brethren, the people of Israel. The latter had indulged their enmity by slaying in battle many thousands of the men of Judah and had seized all the women and children, intending to keep them as slaves or to sell them into bondage to the heathen.PK 649.1
Because of the sins of Judah, the Lord had not interposed to prevent the battle; but by the prophet Oded He rebuked the cruel design of the victorious army: “Ye purpose to keep under the children of Judah and Jerusalem for bondmen and bondwomen unto you: but are there not with you, even with you, sins against the Lord your God?” 2 Chronicles 28:10. Oded warned the people of Israel that the anger of the Lord was kindled against them, and that their course of injustice and oppression would call down His judgments. Upon hearing these words, the armed men left the captives and the spoil before the princes and all the congregation. Then certain leading men of the tribe of Ephraim “took the captives, and with the spoil clothed all that were naked among them, and arrayed them, and shod them, and gave them to eat and to drink, and anointed them, and carried all the feeble of them upon asses, and brought them to Jericho, the city of palm trees, to their brethren.” Verse 15.PK 649.2
Nehemiah and others had ransomed certain of the Jews who had been sold to the heathen, and he now placed this course in contrast with the conduct of those who for the sake of worldly gain were enslaving their brethren. “It is not good that ye do,” he said; “ought ye not to walk in the fear of our God because of the reproach of the heathen our enemies?”PK 650.1
Nehemiah showed them that he himself, being invested with authority from the Persian king, might have demanded large contributions for his personal benefit. But instead of this he had not taken even that which justly belonged to him, but had given liberally to relieve the poor in their need. He urged those among the Jewish rulers who had been guilty of extortion, to cease this iniquitous work; to restore the lands of the poor, and also the increase of money which they had exacted from them; and to lend to them without security or usury.PK 650.2
These words were spoken in the presence of the whole congregation. Had the rulers chosen to justify themselves, they had opportunity to do so. But they offered no excuse. “We will restore them,” they declared, “and will require nothing of them; so will we do as thou sayest.” At this, Nehemiah in the presence of the priests “took an oath of them, that they should do according to this promise.” “And all the congregation said, Amen, and praised the Lord. And the people did according to this promise.”PK 650.3
This record teaches an important lesson. “The love of money is the root of all evil.” 1 Timothy 6:10. In this generation the desire for gain is the absorbing passion. Wealth is often obtained by fraud. There are multitudes struggling with poverty, compelled to labor hard for small wages, unable to secure even the barest necessities of life. Toil and deprivation, with no hope of better things, make their burden heavy. Careworn and oppressed, they know not where to turn for relief. And all this that the rich may support their extravagance or indulge their desire to hoard!PK 651.1
Love of money and love of display have made this world as a den of thieves and robbers. The Scriptures picture the greed and oppression that will prevail just before Christ’s second coming. “Go to now, ye rich men,” James writes; “ye have heaped treasure together for the last days. Behold, the hire of the laborers who have reaped down your fields, which is of you kept back by fraud, crieth: and the cries of them which have reaped are entered into the ears of the Lord of Sabaoth. Ye have lived in pleasure on the earth, and been wanton; ye have nourished your hearts, as in a day of slaughter. Ye have condemned and killed the just; and he doth not resist you.” James 5:1, 3-6.PK 651.2
Even among those who profess to be walking in the fear of the Lord, there are some who are acting over again the course pursued by the nobles of Israel. Because it is in their power to do so, they exact more than is just, and thus become oppressors. And because avarice and treachery are seen in the lives of those who have named the name of Christ, because the church retains on her books the names of those who have gained their possessions by injustice, the religion of Christ is held in contempt. Extravagance, overreaching, extortion, are corrupting the faith of many and destroying their spirituality. The church is in a great degree responsible for the sins of her members. She gives countenance to evil if she fails to lift her voice against it.PK 651.3
The customs of the world are no criterion for the Christian. He is not to imitate its sharp practices, its overreaching, its extortion. Every unjust act toward a fellow being is a violation of the golden rule. Every wrong done to the children of God is done to Christ Himself in the person of His saints. Every attempt to take advantage of the ignorance, weakness, or misfortune of another is registered as fraud in the ledger of heaven. He who truly fears God, would rather toil day and night, and eat the bread of poverty, than to indulge the passion for gain that oppresses the widow and fatherless or turns the stranger from his right.PK 652.1
The slightest departure from rectitude breaks down the barriers and prepares the heart to do greater injustice. Just to that extent that a man would gain advantage for himself at the disadvantage of another, will his soul become insensible to the influence of the Spirit of God. Gain obtained at such a cost is a fearful loss.PK 652.2
We were all debtors to divine justice, but we had nothing with which to pay the debt. Then the Son of God, who pitied us, paid the price of our redemption. He became poor that through His poverty we might be rich. By deeds of liberality toward His poor we may prove the sincerity of our gratitude for the mercy extended to us. “Let us do good unto all men,” the apostle Paul enjoins, “especially unto them who are of the household of faith.” Galatians 6:10. And his words accord with those of the Saviour: “Ye have the poor with you always, and whensoever ye will ye may do them good.” “Whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets.” Mark 14:7; Matthew 7:12.From Splendor to Shadow
Chapter 54—Nehemiah Bravely Rebukes Selfishness
SS 335.1
Nehemiah’s attention was called to the unhappy condition of the poorer classes of people. There was a scarcity of grain. In order to obtain food the poor were obliged to buy on credit at exorbitant prices. They also were compelled to borrow on interest to pay the heavy taxes imposed by Persia. To add to the distress, the more wealthy among the Jews had taken advantage of their necessities, thus enriching themselves.SS 335.2
The Lord had commanded that every third year a tithe be raised for the benefit of the poor and that every seventh year the spontaneous products of the land be left to those in need. Faithfulness in devoting these offerings to the relief of the poor would have kept fresh before the people God’s ownership of all, eradicating selfishness and developing character. “Thou shalt not lend upon usury to thy brother; usury of money, usury of victuals, usury of anything.” Deuteronomy 23:19. “For the poor shall never cease out of the land: therefore I command thee, saying, Thou shalt open thine hand wide unto thy brother, to thy poor, and to thy needy, in thy land.” Deuteronomy 15:11.SS 335.3
Wealthy Jews had gone directly contrary to these commands. When the poor were obliged to borrow to pay tribute to the king, the wealthy had exacted high interest. By taking mortgages they had reduced the debtors to deep poverty. Many had been forced to sell their sons and daughters into servitude, and there seemed no prospect before them but perpetual want and bondage.SS 336.1
At length the people presented their condition before Nehemiah: “Some of our daughters have already been enslaved; but it is not in our power to help it, for other men have our fields and our vineyards.” RSV.SS 336.2
Nehemiah’s soul was filled with indignation. “I was very angry when I heard their cry and these words.” He saw that he must take a decided stand for justice.SS 336.3
The oppressors were men of wealth whose support was needed in restoring the city. But Nehemiah sharply rebuked the nobles and rulers, and he set before the people the requirements of God. He called their attention to events in the reign of King Ahaz. Because of their idolatry, Judah had been delivered into the hands of still more idolatrous Israel. The latter had seized women and children, intending to keep them as slaves or sell them to the heathen. Because of the sins of Judah, the Lord had not interposed, but by the prophet Oded He rebuked the victorious army: “You intend to subjugate the people of Judah and Jerusalem, male and female, as your slaves. Have you not sins of your own against the Lord your God?” 2 Chronicles 28:10, RSV.SS 336.4
Upon hearing these words, the armed men left the captives and spoil before the congregation. Then leading men of Ephraim “took the captives, and with the spoil clothed all that were naked among them, and arrayed them, and shod them, and gave them to eat and to drink, and anointed them, and carried all the feeble of them upon asses, and brought them to Jericho ... to their brethren.” Verse 15.SS 336.5
Nehemiah and others had ransomed certain Jews who had been sold to the heathen, and he now placed this course in contrast with the conduct of those who for gain were enslaving their brethren. He himself, invested with authority from the Persian king, might have demanded large contributions for his personal benefit. But instead he had given liberally to relieve the poor. He urged those guilty of extortion to restore the lands of the poor and the increase of money exacted from them, and to lend to them without security or usury.SS 337.1
“We will restore them,” the rulers declared, “and will require nothing of them; so will we do as thou sayest.” “And all the congregation said, Amen, and praised the Lord. And the people did according to this promise.”SS 337.2
This record teaches an important lesson. In this generation wealth is often obtained by fraud. Multitudes are struggling with poverty, compelled to labor for small wages, unable to secure even the necessities of life. Careworn and oppressed, they know not where to turn for relief. And all this that the rich may support their extravagance or indulge their desire to hoard!SS 337.4
Even some who profess to fear God are acting over again the course pursued by the nobles of Israel. Because it is in their power to do so, they become oppressors. And because avarice is seen in the lives of those who have named the name of Christ, the religion of Christ is held in contempt. Extravagance and extortion are corrupting the faith of many and destroying their spirituality. The church gives countenance to evil if she fails to lift her voice against it.SS 337.5
Every unjust act is a violation of the golden rule—done to Christ Himself in the person of His saints. Every attempt to take advantage of the ignorance or misfortune of another is registered as fraud in the ledger of heaven. Just to the extent that a man would gain advantage for himself at the disadvantage of another, will his soul become insensible to the influence of the Spirit of God.From Splendor to Shadow
The Gospel Can Cure Modern Economic Injustice
SS 337.3
Love of money and display has made this world a den of thieves. “Come now, you rich,” James wrote. “You have laid up treasure for the last days. Behold, the wages of the laborers who mowed your fields, which you kept back by fraud, cry out; and the cries of the harvesters have reached the ears of the Lord of hosts. You have lived on the earth in luxury and in pleasure; you have fattened your hearts in a day of slaughter.” James 5:1, 3-5, RSV.SS 338.1
The Son of God paid the price of our redemption. He became poor that through His poverty we might be rich. By deeds of liberality to the poor we may prove the sincerity of our gratitude: “Let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.” Galatians 6:10. “Whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets.” Matthew 7:12.Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 10 (1895)
Ms 41, 1895
10LtMs, Ms 41, 1895, par. 2
The hearts of those who advocate this cause must be filled with the spirit of Jesus. The Great Physician alone can apply the balm of Gilead. Let these men read the book of Nehemiah with humble hearts touched by the Holy Spirit, and their false ideas will be modified, and correct principles will be seen, and the present order of things will be changed. Nehemiah prayed to God for help, and God heard his prayer. The Lord moved upon heathen kings to come to his help. When his enemies zealously worked against him, the Lord worked through kings to carry out His purpose, and to answer the many prayers which were ascending to Him for the help which they so much needed.Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 10 (1895)
Lt 11, 1895
10LtMs, Lt 11, 1895, par. 30
The hearts of those who advocate this cause must be filled by the Spirit of Jesus. The Great Physician alone can apply the balm of Gilead. Let these men read the book of Nehemiah with humble hearts touched by the Holy Spirit, and their false ideas will be modified, and correct principles will be seen, and the present order of things will be changed. Nehemiah prayed to God for help, and God heard his prayer. The Lord moved upon heathen kings to come to his help. When his enemies zealously worked against him, the Lord worked through kings to carry out His purpose and to answer the many prayers that were ascending to Him for the help which they so much needed.Nehemiah 5:6-12
Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 18 (1903)
Ms 58, 1903
18LtMs, Ms 58, 1903, par. 30
As a last resort, they presented their case before Nehemiah. The soul of this man of God was filled with indignation as he heard of the cruel oppression that existed among his own people. He resolved to see that justice was done; yet he did not move rashly in the matter. He felt that God had laid upon him grave responsibilities, and he must be faithful to his trust. “I was very angry,” he says, “when I heard their cry and these words. Then I consulted with myself.” [Nehemiah 5:6, 7.] He took time to weigh the whole matter and to form his plans. Then with characteristic energy and determination, he exerted his influence and authority for the relief of his oppressed brethren.18LtMs, Ms 58, 1903, par. 33
After relating these facts of history, Nehemiah proceeded to the case under consideration. He wished to bring the offenders to see the real character of their oppressive work and to be ashamed of it. He said, “We after our ability have redeemed our brethren the Jews, which were sold unto the heathen; and will ye even sell your brethren? or shall they be sold unto us?” [Nehemiah 5:8.] Nehemiah and others had ransomed certain of the Jews who had been sold to the heathen, and he now placed this course in contrast with the conduct of those who for worldly gain were enslaving their brethren. The fear of God should restrain them from such injustice. Nehemiah declared to the Jewish rulers—some of whom had been guilty of these practices—that instead of judging and punishing other criminals, they should investigate their own work, lest they should become a reproach, even among the heathen.18LtMs, Ms 58, 1903, par. 35
“Then they said, We will restore them, and will require nothing of them; so will we do as thou sayest.” “Then,” Nehemiah says, “I called the priests, and took an oath of them, that they should do according to their promise.” [Verse 12.]Nehemiah 5:15
Christ Triumphant
God Still Needs People, June 23
CTr 181.1
The former governors that had been before me were chargeable unto the people, and had taken of them bread and wine, beside forty shekels of silver; yea, even their servants bare rule over the people. Nehemiah 5:15.Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 21 (1906)
Lt 406, 1906
21LtMs, Lt 406, 1906, par. 13
A great crisis is upon us. A firm decision to stand on the side of God is now called for. We are to put on the whole armor. Each one has his own work to do, his own decisions to make. He who sustains another man in a wrong course of action is not on God’s side, but on the enemy’s. “So did not I,” Nehemiah says, “because of the fear of God.” [Nehemiah 5:15.] Every soul is to gird himself for the spiritual conflict before us. The world’s plans, the world’s customs, the world’s conniving are not for us. We are to say, “so did not I, because of the fear of the Lord.” Selfishness, dishonesty, craftiness are trying to intrude into hearts. Let us not give them room.That I May Know Him
God’s Measurement of My Character, June 17
TMK 174.4
What men may say, what their opinion of us may be, amounts to very little. The question that concerns us is, What is God’s measurement of my character? ... He who sustains another man in a wrong course of action is not on God’s side, but on the enemy’s. “So did not I,” Nehemiah says, “because of the fear of God” (Nehemiah 5:15). Every soul is to gird himself for the spiritual conflict before us. The world’s plans, the world’s customs, the world’s conniving, are not for us. We are to say, “So did not I, because of the fear of God.” Selfishness, dishonesty, craftiness, are trying to intrude into hearts. Let us not give them room.Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 13 (1898)
Ms 121, 1898
13LtMs, Ms 121, 1898, par. 9
In his work Nehemiah kept the honor and glory of God ever in view. The governors that had been before him had dealt unjustly with the people, “and had taken of them bread and wine, beside forty shekels of silver; yea, even their servants bare rule over the people:” “But so did not I,” Nehemiah declares, “because of the fear of God.” [Nehemiah 5:15.]13LtMs, Ms 121, 1898, par. 10
Nehemiah was chosen by God because he was willing to co-operate with God as a restorer. Falsehood and intrigue were used to pervert his integrity, but he would not be bribed. He would not be led and corrupted by the devices of unprincipled men who had been hired to do an evil work. He would not allow them to intimidate him into following a cowardly course. When he saw wrong principles being acted upon, he did not stand by as an onlooker, and by his silence give consent. He did not leave the people to conclude that he would stand on the wrong side. He took a firm, unyielding stand for the right. He would not lend one jot of influence to the perversion of the principles that God had established. Whatever the course other men might pursue, he could say, “So did not I, because of the fear of God.” [Verse 15.]13LtMs, Ms 121, 1898, par. 21
God is looking with interest upon the youth. He would have every Christian manifest this same interest in children and youth, for the time of temptation had come to our world, and the young must be labored for, hunted for, and brought into the fold. Awaken the consciences of young men and young women by holding forth in clear, simple language the Word of the living God. Present it to them as the young man’s counsellor, urging them to follow its teachings. When they see professed Christians neglecting their words and deportment, and doing things that are contrary to a “Thus saith the Lord,” they are to turn from them, that they may say as did Nehemiah, “So did not I, because of the fear of God.” [Nehemiah 5:15.]Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 20 (1905)
Lt 116, 1905
20LtMs, Lt 116, 1905, par. 10
If every physician in our ranks would separate from your influence, they would sound the keynote of Christian medical education; for the angels of God would give them life and courage in the [Lord], and power to stand against your persuasive influence. It is the privilege of every man who is converted to the truth to show moral independence, to stand firm for the truth and for righteousness. When propositions are laid before a believer to engage in business that would lead him to deviate from the principles of the law given for the guidance of every man’s life, it is his privilege and duty to make a firm, decided refusal. The strongest representations that may be made should not lead him to engage in any enterprise that would pollute his conscience. He is to hearken to the Holy Spirit, who would lead him to say to the tempter, “So did not I, because of the fear of God.” [Nehemiah 5:15.] I tell you, a great crisis is upon us, and those men who have united with you and sustained you have not said, “So did not I, because of the fear of God.”Nehemiah 5:19
Manuscript Releases, vol. 11 [Nos. 851-920]
MR No. 851—Ellen White in New Zealand
11MR 10.3
Make every effort to get your friends to come, not in your place but to accompany, to stand on God’s side, under God’s command. At the very best our numbers will not be large, but if the individual members of the church will come to the Wellington camp meeting, with a mind and will to work to the best of their ability, God will do the rest. We cannot but see the schemes and working of the enemies of our faith. Let the prayers go forth from unfeigned lips, “Hear, O our God; for we are despised.” “Think upon me, my God, for good.” “Now therefore, O God, strengthen my hand.” (Nehemiah 4:4; 5:19; Nehemiah 6:9.)Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 8 (1893)
Lt 8a, 1893
8LtMs, Lt 8a, 1893, par. 8
Make every effort to get your friends to come, not in your place but to accompany, to stand on God’s side, under God’s command. At the very best our numbers will not be large, but if the individual members of the church will come to the Wellington camp meeting, with a mind and will to work to the best of their ability, God will do the rest. We cannot but see the schemes and workings of the enemies of our faith. Let the prayers go forth from unfeigned lips, “Hear, O our God; for we are despised.” “Think upon me, my God, for good.” “Now therefore, O God, strengthen my hands.” [Nehemiah 4:4; 5:19; 6:9.]Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 8 (1893)
Lt 7, 1893
8LtMs, Lt 7, 1893, par. 5
The Lord has need of you. He does not do His work without the co-operation of the human agent. God’s downtrodden law is to be uplifted, Christ and His righteousness are to be presented to souls that are perishing. The blindness, the spiritual blindness, upon the people today is greater even than it was in the days when Christ was upon earth in person. Let every one rally round the standard, and angels who are commissioned to minister for those who shall be heirs of salvation will accompany you. Make every effort to get your friends to come, not in your place, but to come with you, to stand on the Lord’s side, to obey His commands. At the best, our numbers will be but small; but come with a mind and will to work, and God will do great things for us. While we see the schemes that the enemy is devising to shut away the light from the people, let the prayer go forth from unfeigned lips, “Hear, O our God; for we are despised.” “Think upon me my God for good.” “Now therefore, O God, strengthen my hands.” [Nehemiah 4:4; 5:19; 6:9.]EGW Writings — Ellen G. White. Ellen G. White Estate · all rights reserved
Nehemiah 5:1-13
Conflict and Courage
Remember the Poor, September 18
CC 267.1
If there be among you a poor man of one of thy brethren within any of thy gates in thy land which the Lord thy God giveth thee, ... thou shalt open thine hand wide unto him, and shalt surely lend him sufficient for his need. Deuteronomy 15:7, 8.CC 267.2
At times following the return of the exiles from Babylon, the wealthy Jews had gone directly contrary to these commands. When the poor were obliged to borrow to pay tribute to the king, the wealthy had lent them money, but had exacted a high rate of interest. By taking mortgages on the lands of the poor, they had gradually reduced the unfortunate debtors to the deepest poverty. Many had been forced to sell their sons and daughters into servitude; and there seemed no hope of improving their condition, no way to redeem either their children or their lands, no prospect before them but ever-increasing distress, with perpetual want and bondage. Yet they were of the same nation, children of the same covenant, as their more favored brethren....CC 267.3
As Nehemiah heard of this cruel oppression, his soul was filled with indignation.... He saw that if he succeeded in breaking up the oppressive custom of exaction he must take a decided stand for justice. With characteristic energy and determination he went to work to bring relief to his brethren.CC 267.4
The fact that the oppressors were men of wealth, whose support was greatly needed in the work of restoring the city, did not for a moment influence Nehemiah. He sharply rebuked the nobles and rulers, and when he had gathered a great assembly of the people he set before them the requirements of God touching the case....CC 267.5
This record teaches an important lesson. “The love of money is the root of all evil” (1 Timothy 6:10). In this generation the desire for gain is the absorbing passion.... We were all debtors to divine justice, but we had nothing with which to pay the debt. Then the Son of God, who pitied us, paid the price of our redemption. He became poor that through His poverty we might be rich. By deeds of liberality toward His poor we may prove the sincerity of our gratitude for the mercy extended to us.28Ibid., 647-652.