Peter Misselbrook's Blog

Dec 20 2019 - Nehemiah 5 – Help for the poor

The Jews who had returned to the area around Jerusalem were struggling to re-establish themselves on land that had been neglected or that was now owned by others. They also faced a harsh burden of taxation from the Persian Empire and its officials. Most of the Jews were struggling with poverty while a few had used these difficulties as a means of making themselves rich. Moreover, the building work had taken many of the men from their work on the fields. This was the last straw for many families, particularly the women. They came to Nehemiah to protest against their fellow Jews who were exploiting, impoverishing and enslaving them (vv1,5). The poor were having to borrow money and to part with the deeds to their properties as security to pay taxes and buy grain (vv.2-4)

Nehemiah was filled with anger at what is going on. His anger is not expressed in a sudden outburst of wrath but in careful consideration of what can be done to address the situation. He begins by confronting those who are exploiting their fellow countrymen (v.7), before calling a public meeting at which he declares that what is going on is undermining the work of rebuilding the kingdom and destroying the witness of God's people to the surrounding nations (vv. 8-9).

Nehemiah and his officials have also been lending money to those in need (though not an exorbitant interest like the others). All of this, says Nehemiah, must now stop – the people must be given back their lands and any money that has been extorted from them must be returned. It is, in effect, to be a time of Jubilee (vv. 10-11, cf. Leviticus 25). Amazingly, the people agreed – perhaps because of Nehemiah's example. Their promise to return land and money was sealed with an oath (v. 12). In a prophetic act Nehemiah shakes out his robe, indicating that those who exploit their brothers have no place among the people of God.

Nehemiah is seeking not just to rebuild walls but to rebuild the life of a covenant people. Their behaviour had become dangerously like that which caused God to send them into exile in the first place (see Ezekiel 22:2, 12). The way in which they treated one another was foundational to building God's kingdom and to their calling to be a light to the nations.

Do you get angry at the social injustice you see around you and in the world? How might this be converted into constructive action that begins to put things right? Are we more concerned with acquiring ever more for ourselves than with using what we have for the good of others?

Building the kingdom of our Lord Jesus Christ is not about pursuing our own favoured projects but about building good relationships with our fellow believers. Our witness to the world depends upon it. How could we build stronger and more supportive relationships with one another?

Nehemiah had returned to Jerusalem with the authority of governor (v.14).  It was the custom of governors and officials to live well by imposing taxes on the people. Those who preceded Nehemiah had behaved that way (vv. 14b-15a, compare Matthew 20:25). But Nehemiah (who must have had considerable personal resources), provided for others rather than living off them (vv. 17-18). He and his subordinates also worked alongside others on the wall. Out of reverence for God (v.15b) Nehemiah adopted a servant model of leadership. He acts as an example to those whom he governs and looks to God and not to the people for his reward (v.19).

Jesus provides us with the ultimate example of servant leadership. He calls us to follow him.

Living God, we give you thanks for the life and example of the Lord Jesus. But we thank you even more for his atoning death through which our sins are forgiven. Thank you for his risen life and for your Spirit who pours that life into our lives. By the power of your Spirit help us to give ourselves to your service and to the care of one another and so bear witness to the power of our God and the beautiful character of the kingdom of our Lord Jesus Christ. 

Dec 20 2020 - Revelation 11:1-19 – The kingdom of our Lord

At this time of year, we generally go to a performance of Handel’s Messiah. I can hear the voices of the chorus ringing in my head as I read the words of Revelation 11:15:

The kingdom of the world has become
   the kingdom of our Lord and of his Messiah,
   and he will reign for ever and ever.

These are wonderful words for they indicate how the story of Scripture shall end. God created this world at the beginning that we might govern it on his behalf and for his glory. Men and women together, made in his image, were to image God’s gracious and life-giving rule in their care of one another and of the whole of the created world. But things have gone terribly wrong. We are all too conscious of the greed, inequity, destruction and violence that mark our world. It is written upon the pages of history. It is written in the faces of oppressor and oppressed. It is written into the scars and wounds of our damaged planet. When will it end?

The Scriptures promised a second and last Adam, a new King after God’s own heart who would bring healing and restoration to the whole of creation – one in whom the image of God in humankind would be restored. Jesus, God incarnate, is the promised Messiah. He is the one through whom all things were created and in whom all things will be restored. He is the one in whom all things in heaven and earth shall be brought under one head, under one new and everlasting government of peace. In his death a broken world is brought to death and judgment. Through his resurrection a new creation has begun.

But how shall this kingdom come? It shall come through the faithful witness of the followers of the Messiah. They may and will suffer all manner of opposition, even being put to death; they are called to follow their Lord. But, like their Master, they will be raised to life and will reign with him. Christ will have the last word. The testimony of his servants will not be silenced; rather, through their suffering testimony to the Suffering Messiah his kingdom shall come.

In this chapter, we read of those who gloat over the slaughter of God's servants; they, "celebrate by sending each other gifts" (11:10). We do not have to look far to find the same happening today in many parts of the world. But we are also reminded at this time of year that we have far greater cause to celebrate and send one another gifts; the Saviour of the world has come. No amount of opposition can undo or silence this fact. Christ has come and through his resurrection from the dead he has "begun to reign" (11:17) and his kingdom shall know no end.

His reign will finally be established when he returns in judgment to “destroy those who destroy the earth” (11:18). In that day he will set the world to rights and make all things new.

Meanwhile we are called to faithful testimony, even in the face of opposition, in the confidence that it is through such testimony that this world is judged and the reign of Christ extended.

‘We give thanks to you, Lord God Almighty,
    the One who is and who was,
because you have taken your great power
    and have begun to reign.
The nations were angry,
    and your wrath has come.
The time has come for judging the dead,
    and for rewarding your servants the prophets
and your people who revere your name,
    both great and small –
and for destroying those who destroy the earth.’

Come, Lord Jesus.

Peter Misselbrook