Tuesday, September 21, 2010

Nehemiah 5.1-16, 6.1-9, 15-16, 1 Timothy 4.1-16 - Lectionary for 9/21/10

Today's readings are Nehemiah 5.1-16, 6.1-9, 15-16, and 1 Timothy 4.1-16.

There's a time and a place for the believer to enter into the political life. This is exactly what happens in our reading in Nehemiah today. We see that the faithful in Jerusalem were enduring heavy taxation and ill treatment at the hands of their political leaders. Because this was unjust and was causing hardship on the people, Nehemiah interceded on their behalf to the political leadership. What happened? God was interceding for His people through Nehemiah, who was able to gain assurances from his leaders that they would respect the people and care for them. The leaders agreed to the demands Nehemiah placed upon them. The promise made by the leaders was to be seen as a holy obligation, binding on their consciences and therefore on their behavior.

Unlike the idea of liberation theology, there was no armed uprising. There was simply a protest and a call to repentance. Nehemiah carried on the protest within the bounds of the prevailing law, using entirely legal and peaceful means.

Unlike much of what we see in modern political leaders, the leadership of Jerusalem was willing to be bound by the demands of their conscience. They knew they had made a promise which made a holy obligation before the holy God. They did not fear Nehemiah or the people. They feared God.

May the Lord change our society so we likewise will be bound by our conscience to do what is right in the eyes of our God. May he impress on our political leaders and on all the rest of us the importance of our promises. May he use us as individuals to boldy request that our political leaders should do what is right.

--
Dave Spotts
blogging at http://capnsaltyslongvoyage.blogspot.com


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