From Broken to Restored: The Book of NehemiahSample

Read: Nehemiah 5:6–13; Isaiah 1:17

SOAP: Isaiah 1:17

Learn to do what is right. Promote justice. Give the oppressed reason to celebrate. Take up the cause of the orphan. Defend the rights of the widow.

Into the Text

When Nehemiah heard of the oppression happening among the people, he was very angry. However, he did not react or respond out of his anger, but instead took time to consider how to address and solve the problem. We see this often from Nehemiah. Whenever he was given new information about the plight of the people, he took time to pray, consider, plan, and act with wisdom.

Nehemiah recognized the injustice happening to his people by his people. What they were doing was wrong, a direct violation of the commands God had given them. Not only were their actions against what God commanded in the law (See Deuteronomy 23:19–20), but their actions hurt God’s people and hindered the work of rebuilding.

As the leader of the people, Nehemiah called them to repent. Nehemiah stood up for the people who were oppressed and needed help. He exhorted those doing wrong to turn from their sin and help their fellow Jews. The people listened and turned from what they were doing. They followed Nehemiah’s leadership and learned to defend the people of God.

Before God sent His people into exile, He gave them specific commands of how they were to live as His people, and what they must do to return to Him. Even though he lived much later, Nehemiah obeyed these commands. He learned what was right, promoted justice among the Jews, and gave the oppressed reason to celebrate. He took up the cause and defended the rights of those who had no rights and of those who were unable to defend themselves.

Nehemiah’s boldness stopped the oppression among God’s people. We may not have the same power and authority as Nehemiah did and, therefore, may not experience the same result when we stand up for justice. But when we fight for the oppressed, we make a difference for them. We cannot change systems or cultures of oppression and injustice overnight, but, like Nehemiah, we can do what is right, promote justice, and give the oppressed reason to celebrate.