Handling the oppressed

Continuing on in the book of Nehemiah, chapter 5, Nehemiah heard many complaints from his people.  Some had large families and needed more food than others, and in turn had mortgaged their properties.  The massive amount of debt, with great amounts of interest, was causing a strain on the people.

Nehemiah was angry by this.  He felt his people were taking advantage of others in a rather unfair way.  He got after them for charging interest to their own relatives, by keeping them down in an oppressive way.

He ordered them to repay all of the interest that had been charged, along with all the grain, wine, and olive oil paid out.

They agreed with Nehemiah and praised the Lord.

For Nehemiah's twelve year reign as the governor of Judah, neither he nor his officials drew upon the official food allowance.  Previous administrations had done so, to the detriment of the oppressive people.  But because he feared and devoted himself entirely to the Lord, God blessed and provided for him.