Aug 20 | Resistance Lectionary Part 8: Our Jubilee

Citation: Nehemiah 5:1-13

Nehemiah is another one of those Biblical characters who isn’t well known in popular Western culture. It’s likely he was a real historical figure, and many scholars agree that his account of his time in Jerusalem is relatively accurate.

Nehemiah, cup-bearer to the Persian king Artaxerxes, learns that his people in Jerusalem are struggling to restore the nation after their return from exile under the defeated Babylonians. He is permitted to go and act as governor among his people, and helps the people begin the long work of rebuilding their beautiful city.

Like Esther, Nehemiah is an example of someone who uses their privilege to benefit others. Upon hearing the complaints of the less fortunate against the powerful among them who had forgotten God’s call to deal justly with each other, Nehemiah turns not to the bandaid solution of personal charity but encourages the whole community, rich and poor, to come together as a family once again. He denounces the greed of the nobles and officials, calls for an end to interest payments and bond slavery, and demands that lands and houses which had been seized on account of debt be restored, enacting the first recorded instance of jubilee in the Bible.

And he doesn’t only talk the talk. Later in the chapter he makes many personal sacrifices, renouncing the wealth, land, and food allowances afforded to previous governors.

His passion has an impact on the people. They immediately follow his instructions without hesitation, and redistribute the wealth.

Nehemiah is an inspiring character who shows us that speaking truth to power in our own communities, and leveraging any privilege of station, education, or personal skill, is not only a way to empower and restore. It is in fact God’s will that we use every tool at our disposal to make a more just and balanced world now, rather than waiting on God to have it ready for us in heaven.

As a wise rabbi is reported to have said many years later, “Let your light so shine before others, that they may see your good works and glorify your God in heaven.”