Nehemiah 5:12-19: a reflection

12Then they said, “We will restore them, and will require nothing of them. We will do so, even as you say.” Then I called the priests, and took an oath of them, that they would do according to this promise. 13Also I shook out my lap, and said, “So may God shake out every man from his house, and from his labor, that doesn’t perform this promise; even may he be shaken out and emptied like this.” All the assembly said, “Amen,” and praised the LORD. The people did according to this promise. 14Moreover from the time that I was appointed to be their governor in the land of Judah, from the twentieth year even to the thirty-second year of Artaxerxes the king, that is, twelve years, I and my brothers have not eaten the bread of the governor. 15But the former governors who were before me were supported by the people, and took bread and wine from them, plus forty shekels of silver; yes, even their servants ruled over the people, but I didn’t do so, because of the fear of God. 16Yes, I also continued in the work of this wall. We didn’t buy any land. All my servants were gathered there to the work. 17Moreover there were at my table, of the Jews and the rulers, one hundred fifty men, in addition to those who came to us from among the nations that were around us. 18Now that which was prepared for one day was one ox and six choice sheep. Also fowls were prepared for me, and once in ten days a store of all sorts of wine. Yet for all this, I didn’t demand the governor’s pay, because the bondage was heavy on this people. 19Remember me, my God, for all the good that I have done for this people.

As governor of Judah, Nehemiah had a right to the governor's allowance, the food and support that previous governors had taken from the people. But Nehemiah did not demand it, and he tells why: I didn't demand the governor's pay, because the bondage was heavy on this people. Earlier governors had taken their due, and even let their servants oppress the people; but Nehemiah, seeing the heavy burden the people already bore, forwent his rightful allowance for their sake, out of the fear of God. He gave up what was rightfully his, so as not to add to the people's burden, choosing their good over his own due.

Notice Nehemiah's selflessness: he forwent his rights for the sake of the people, out of the fear of God. He was entitled to the governor's support; it was his right, as it had been the right of governors before him. But he saw the heavy burden the people already carried, and would not add to it by taking his due; he gave up his right for their sake. And he names the reason: the fear of God. His reverence for God restrained his self-interest, moving him to forgo his rights rather than burden the people further. He chose the good of others over his own entitlement, out of the fear of God; his selflessness flowed from his reverence.

That is worth taking to heart, for we too can forgo our rights for the sake of others, out of the fear of God. We have rights, entitlements, things that are our due; and we can insist on them, taking what is ours even when it burdens others. But Nehemiah, out of the fear of God, forwent his rightful allowance for the sake of the burdened people. There is a selflessness that gives up its rights for others' good, flowing from reverence for God. Do not always insist on your rights and your due, even when it burdens others; be willing, out of the fear of God, to forgo them for others' sake, as Nehemiah did. Be willing to forgo your rights and your due for the sake of others, out of the fear of God, as Nehemiah did not demand the governor's pay because the burden was heavy on the people; for reverence for God can move us to choose the good of others over our own entitlement, and there is a selflessness that gives up its rights for others' sake.

Lord, as governor of Judah, Nehemiah had a right to the governor's allowance, the food and support that previous governors had taken from the people. But Nehemiah did not demand it, and he tells why: I didn't demand the governor's pay, because the bondage was heavy on this people. Earlier governors had taken their due, and even let their servants oppress the people; but Nehemiah, seeing the heavy burden the people already bore, forwent his rightful allowance for their sake, out of the fear of you. Show me Nehemiah's selflessness: he forwent his rights for the sake of the people, out of the fear of you. He was entitled to the governor's support; it was his right. But he saw the heavy burden the people already carried, and would not add to it by taking his due; he gave up his right for their sake. And he names the reason: the fear of you. Your reverence restrained his self-interest, moving him to forgo his rights rather than burden the people further. His selflessness flowed from his reverence. Take that to my heart, for I too can forgo my rights for the sake of others, out of the fear of you. I have rights, entitlements, things that are my due; and I can insist on them, taking what is mine even when it burdens others. But Nehemiah, out of the fear of you, forwent his rightful allowance for the sake of the burdened people. Keep me from always insisting on my rights and my due, even when it burdens others; help me be willing, out of the fear of you, to forgo them for others' sake, Lord, as Nehemiah did not demand the governor's pay because the burden was heavy on the people.