INTRODUCTION:  Troubles seldom come alone. In fact, they tend to pile up in loads when God’s people determine to move ahead to do a work for God. When the people determined to build the wall under the leadership of Nehemiah, they faced several kinds of problems.

• Physical – they ran into the unexpected physical hindrance of “rubbish” (Nehemiah 4:10And Judah said, The strength of the bearers of burdens is decayed, and there is much rubbish; so that we are not able to build the wall.
  See All...). The ruins of the walls and buildings created more work than they had counted on. This made the job take longer than their estimate and required an extra effort. Poor leadership might have allowed this to divert the attention of the people and discourage them, but Nehemiah pushed on.
• External – they had to face the outside opposition of Sanballat and others (Nehemiah 2:19But when Sanballat the Horonite, and Tobiah the servant, the Ammonite, and Geshem the Arabian, heard it, they laughed us to scorn, and despised us, and said, What is this thing that ye do? will ye rebel against the king?
  See All...; Nehemiah 4:1-3 [1] But it came to pass, that when Sanballat heard that we builded the wall, he was wroth, and took great indignation, and mocked the Jews. [2] And he spake before his brethren and the army of Samaria, and said, What do these feeble Jews? will they fortify themselves? will they sacrifice? will they make an end in a day? will they revive the stones out of the heaps of the rubbish which are burned? [3] Now Tobiah the Ammonite was by him, and he said, Even that which they build, if a fox go up, he shall even break down their stone wall.
  See All..., 7-8). This forced the Israelites to go into fighting mode. One danger was that they might be defeated by the enemy, but another danger was that they might get so involved in their military readiness that they allowed the original work to go unfinished. Nehemiah made plans for war but also put the people back to work.
• Internal – in the present chapter (Nehemiah 5), the Jews face another foe—themselves. The wall will not be finished until Nehemiah 6:15So the wall was finished in the twenty and fifth day of the month Elul, in fifty and two days.
  See All.... But now it is found that some of the Jews are exploiting other Jews. This problem is too serious to put off and it must be dealt with immediately because inner decay is more dangerous than external foes.

The combination of external and internal foes is found elsewhere in scripture. Paul warned the church at Ephesus when he saw them the last time:

• Acts 20:29For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock.
  See All... For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock.
• Acts 20:30Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them.
  See All... Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them.

Verse 29 speaks of external wolves that would come into the flock. Verse 30 warns of some of their own who will arise and speak perverse things. God’s people must always be on the guard for both dangers.

1. THE PROBLEM OF USURY
1. The Problem Stated
1. The Bible clearly warns of the evil of using usury for unjust gain (Deuteronomy 23:19Thou shalt not lend upon usury to thy brother; usury of money, usury of victuals, usury of any thing that is lent upon usury:
   See All...; Proverbs 28:8He that by usury and unjust gain increaseth his substance, he shall gather it for him that will pity the poor.
   See All...)
2. The basic definition of usury
1. Related to the word use ; it is a fee for the use of someone else’s money
2. Basically, it is interest
3. So, does the Bible teach against charging or receiving interest?
1. Modern economies are built on lending and interest
2. Most Christians borrow on interest and many earn interest from loaning
3. Most historians credit much of the economic explosion of the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries to the relaxation of the Catholic ban on interest of all kinds. This ban on usury for Catholics is what pushed the Jews into banking. It was one of the few things they were allowed to do.
4. Solution
1. Some try to solve the problem by defining usury as extravagant interest . They see moderate interest as acceptable. Though there is some merit to this approach, it does not explain the use of the word throughout scripture. Usury, in its most basic form, is interest.
2. Another approach is to see the exceptions of the law and the times that Jesus mentioned usury as offering ways and times that interest may be used. This approach still allows for many times when usury is not appropriate for believers. This is the approach this lesson takes.
2. The Biblical Usage of Usury
1. Found 24 times in the Bible: 22 times in the Old Testament and ten times in the Law of Moses
2. Found two times in the present lesson (Nehemiah 5:7Then I consulted with myself, and I rebuked the nobles, and the rulers, and said unto them, Ye exact usury, every one of his brother. And I set a great assembly against them.
   See All..., 10)
3. The word “usurer” is found once (Exodus 22:25If thou lend money to any of my people that is poor by thee, thou shalt not be to him as an usurer, neither shalt thou lay upon him usury.
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3. Biblical Restrictions Under the Law
1. Not to take usury of the poor (Exodus 22:25If thou lend money to any of my people that is poor by thee, thou shalt not be to him as an usurer, neither shalt thou lay upon him usury.
   See All...; Leviticus 25:36-37 [36] Take thou no usury of him, or increase: but fear thy God; that thy brother may live with thee. [37] Thou shalt not give him thy money upon usury, nor lend him thy victuals for increase.
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2. Not to take usury of other Israelites – the brethren (Deuteronomy 23:19-20 [19] Thou shalt not lend upon usury to thy brother; usury of money, usury of victuals, usury of any thing that is lent upon usury: [20] Unto a stranger thou mayest lend upon usury; but unto thy brother thou shalt not lend upon usury: that the LORD thy God may bless thee in all that thou settest thine hand to in the land whither thou goest to possess it.
   See All...)
3. Allowed to keep a reasonable pledge as collateral (Deuteronomy 24:10-11 [10] When thou dost lend thy brother any thing, thou shalt not go into his house to fetch his pledge. [11] Thou shalt stand abroad, and the man to whom thou dost lend shall bring out the pledge abroad unto thee.
   See All...)
4. Debt of Israelites to be released every seventh year (Deuteronomy 15:1-5 [1] At the end of every seven years thou shalt make a release. [2] And this is the manner of the release: Every creditor that lendeth ought unto his neighbour shall release it; he shall not exact it of his neighbour, or of his brother; because it is called the LORD's release. [3] Of a foreigner thou mayest exact it again: but that which is thine with thy brother thine hand shall release; [4] Save when there shall be no poor among you; for the LORD shall greatly bless thee in the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee for an inheritance to possess it: [5] Only if thou carefully hearken unto the voice of the LORD thy God, to observe to do all these commandments which I command thee this day.
   See All...)
5. The restrictions of the Old Testament were required to keep greedy men from taking advantage of the hard times of others. They were not to use usury for “unjust gain” (Proverbs 28:8He that by usury and unjust gain increaseth his substance, he shall gather it for him that will pity the poor.
   See All...).
4. Biblical Permission for Usury
1. Even under the law, the Israelites were permitted to charge usury to a stranger (Deuteronomy 23:20Unto a stranger thou mayest lend upon usury; but unto thy brother thou shalt not lend upon usury: that the LORD thy God may bless thee in all that thou settest thine hand to in the land whither thou goest to possess it.
   See All...). Note: if usury is by definition extravagant interest, then this does not fit. It clearly refers to reasonable interest.
2. Jesus Christ spoke of charging and earning usury in positive ways (Matthew 25:27Thou oughtest therefore to have put my money to the exchangers, and then at my coming I should have received mine own with usury.
   See All...; Luke 19:23Wherefore then gavest not thou my money into the bank, that at my coming I might have required mine own with usury?
   See All...). He evidently did not see it as evil outside the restrictions of the law.
5. Biblical Application
1. Charging of interest or usury
1. Allowed for most business applications
2. However, the evil of using it to take unfair advantage of poor people or close relations still exists. Places like check-cashing services where poor people are exploited are ungodly. The act of taking advantage of a brother or sister in Christ for personal gain is also wicked.
2. Reasons for borrowing
1. Daily needs (Nehemiah 5:3-4 [3] Some also there were that said, We have mortgaged our lands, vineyards, and houses, that we might buy corn, because of the dearth. [4] There were also that said, We have borrowed money for the king's tribute, and that upon our lands and vineyards.
   See All...)
1. Food and shelter
2. Those who loan should never take advantage of such people
2. Business opportunities
1. Corn for growing crops (Nehemiah 5:3Some also there were that said, We have mortgaged our lands, vineyards, and houses, that we might buy corn, because of the dearth.
   See All...)
2. Not excluded by scripture
3. Personal desires
1. Unknown in Bible times and in most of history
2. Often the act of a selfish pursuit of pleasure (Proverbs 21:17He that loveth pleasure shall be a poor man: he that loveth wine and oil shall not be rich.
   See All...) and laziness (Proverbs 21:25-26 [25] The desire of the slothful killeth him; for his hands refuse to labour. [26] He coveteth greedily all the day long: but the righteous giveth and spareth not.
   See All...)
3. Principles of borrowing
1. Recognize your servitude (Proverbs 22:7The rich ruleth over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender.
   See All...)
2. Aim for complete freedom (Romans 13:6-8 [6] For for this cause pay ye tribute also: for they are God's ministers, attending continually upon this very thing. [7] Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour. [8] Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law.
   See All...)
2. THE PLIGHT OF THE PEOPLE (Nehemiah 5:1-5 [1] And there was a great cry of the people and of their wives against their brethren the Jews. [2] For there were that said, We, our sons, and our daughters, are many: therefore we take up corn for them, that we may eat, and live. [3] Some also there were that said, We have mortgaged our lands, vineyards, and houses, that we might buy corn, because of the dearth. [4] There were also that said, We have borrowed money for the king's tribute, and that upon our lands and vineyards. [5] Yet now our flesh is as the flesh of our brethren, our children as their children: and, lo, we bring into bondage our sons and our daughters to be servants, and some of our daughters are brought unto bondage already: neither is it in our power to redeem them; for other men have our lands and vineyards.
   See All...)
1. Their Cry (Nehemiah 5:1-2 [1] And there was a great cry of the people and of their wives against their brethren the Jews. [2] For there were that said, We, our sons, and our daughters, are many: therefore we take up corn for them, that we may eat, and live.
   See All...; Isaiah 5:7For the vineyard of the LORD of hosts is the house of Israel, and the men of Judah his pleasant plant: and he looked for judgment, but behold oppression; for righteousness, but behold a cry.
   See All...)
1. Against their brethren (Nehemiah 5:1And there was a great cry of the people and of their wives against their brethren the Jews.
   See All...)
2. Concerning their lives (Nehemiah 5:2For there were that said, We, our sons, and our daughters, are many: therefore we take up corn for them, that we may eat, and live.
   See All...)
2. Their Needs (Nehemiah 5:3-4 [3] Some also there were that said, We have mortgaged our lands, vineyards, and houses, that we might buy corn, because of the dearth. [4] There were also that said, We have borrowed money for the king's tribute, and that upon our lands and vineyards.
   See All...)
1. For food (Nehemiah 5:3Some also there were that said, We have mortgaged our lands, vineyards, and houses, that we might buy corn, because of the dearth.
   See All...)
1. In a time of dearth (famine)
2. They mortgaged their houses and land
2. For tribute; that is, taxes (Nehemiah 5:4There were also that said, We have borrowed money for the king's tribute, and that upon our lands and vineyards.
   See All...; Ezra 4:13Be it known now unto the king, that, if this city be builded, and the walls set up again, then will they not pay toll, tribute, and custom, and so thou shalt endamage the revenue of the kings.
   See All...)
3. Their Bondage (Nehemiah 5:5Yet now our flesh is as the flesh of our brethren, our children as their children: and, lo, we bring into bondage our sons and our daughters to be servants, and some of our daughters are brought unto bondage already: neither is it in our power to redeem them; for other men have our lands and vineyards.
   See All...; Exodus 21:7And if a man sell his daughter to be a maidservant, she shall not go out as the menservants do.
   See All...)
1. Financial bondage
2. Actual servitude
3. Unable to redeem them
3. THE PROMISE OF THE RULERS (Nehemiah 5:6-13 [6] And I was very angry when I heard their cry and these words. [7] Then I consulted with myself, and I rebuked the nobles, and the rulers, and said unto them, Ye exact usury, every one of his brother. And I set a great assembly against them. [8] And I said unto them, We after our ability have redeemed our brethren the Jews, which were sold unto the heathen; and will ye even sell your brethren? or shall they be sold unto us? Then held they their peace, and found nothing to answer. [9] Also I said, It is not good that ye do: ought ye not to walk in the fear of our God because of the reproach of the heathen our enemies? [10] I likewise, and my brethren, and my servants, might exact of them money and corn: I pray you, let us leave off this usury. [11] Restore, I pray you, to them, even this day, their lands, their vineyards, their oliveyards, and their houses, also the hundredth part of the money, and of the corn, the wine, and the oil, that ye exact of them. [12] Then said they, We will restore them, and will require nothing of them; so will we do as thou sayest. Then I called the priests, and took an oath of them, that they should do according to this promise. [13] Also I shook my lap, and said, So God shake out every man from his house, and from his labour, that performeth not this promise, even thus be he shaken out, and emptied. And all the congregation said, Amen, and praised the LORD. And the people did according to this promise.
   See All...)
1. Nehemiah’s Accusation (Nehemiah 5:6-8 [6] And I was very angry when I heard their cry and these words. [7] Then I consulted with myself, and I rebuked the nobles, and the rulers, and said unto them, Ye exact usury, every one of his brother. And I set a great assembly against them. [8] And I said unto them, We after our ability have redeemed our brethren the Jews, which were sold unto the heathen; and will ye even sell your brethren? or shall they be sold unto us? Then held they their peace, and found nothing to answer.
   See All...)
1. His anger (Nehemiah 5:6And I was very angry when I heard their cry and these words.
   See All...)
2. His rebuke (Nehemiah 5:7Then I consulted with myself, and I rebuked the nobles, and the rulers, and said unto them, Ye exact usury, every one of his brother. And I set a great assembly against them.
   See All...)
1. He consulted with himself (Psalm 4:4Stand in awe, and sin not: commune with your own heart upon your bed, and be still. Selah.
   See All...)
2. He rebuked the nobles and rulers
3. He gathered an assembly against them
3. His effort (Nehemiah 5:8And I said unto them, We after our ability have redeemed our brethren the Jews, which were sold unto the heathen; and will ye even sell your brethren? or shall they be sold unto us? Then held they their peace, and found nothing to answer.
   See All...)
1. In buying the freedom of his people
2. In accusing those who sold their brethren
2. Nehemiah’s Challenge (Nehemiah 5:9-11 [9] Also I said, It is not good that ye do: ought ye not to walk in the fear of our God because of the reproach of the heathen our enemies? [10] I likewise, and my brethren, and my servants, might exact of them money and corn: I pray you, let us leave off this usury. [11] Restore, I pray you, to them, even this day, their lands, their vineyards, their oliveyards, and their houses, also the hundredth part of the money, and of the corn, the wine, and the oil, that ye exact of them.
   See All...)
1. To fear God (Nehemiah 5:9Also I said, It is not good that ye do: ought ye not to walk in the fear of our God because of the reproach of the heathen our enemies?
   See All...)
1. You do not walk in the fear of God
2. You bring the reproach of the heathen (Romans 2:24For the name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles through you, as it is written.
   See All...)
2. To cease usury (Nehemiah 5:10I likewise, and my brethren, and my servants, might exact of them money and corn: I pray you, let us leave off this usury.
   See All...)
3. To make restoration (Nehemiah 5:11Restore, I pray you, to them, even this day, their lands, their vineyards, their oliveyards, and their houses, also the hundredth part of the money, and of the corn, the wine, and the oil, that ye exact of them.
   See All...)
1. Of seized lands
2. Of collected interest
3. Their Response (Nehemiah 5:12-13 [12] Then said they, We will restore them, and will require nothing of them; so will we do as thou sayest. Then I called the priests, and took an oath of them, that they should do according to this promise. [13] Also I shook my lap, and said, So God shake out every man from his house, and from his labour, that performeth not this promise, even thus be he shaken out, and emptied. And all the congregation said, Amen, and praised the LORD. And the people did according to this promise.
   See All...)
1. The promise of the rulers (Nehemiah 5:12Then said they, We will restore them, and will require nothing of them; so will we do as thou sayest. Then I called the priests, and took an oath of them, that they should do according to this promise.
   See All...a)
1. To restore their goods
2. To cancel their debts
2. The oath of the priests (Nehemiah 5:12Then said they, We will restore them, and will require nothing of them; so will we do as thou sayest. Then I called the priests, and took an oath of them, that they should do according to this promise.
   See All...b)
3. The praise of the people (Nehemiah 5:13Also I shook my lap, and said, So God shake out every man from his house, and from his labour, that performeth not this promise, even thus be he shaken out, and emptied. And all the congregation said, Amen, and praised the LORD. And the people did according to this promise.
   See All...)
1. The shaking of Nehemiah’s lap
2. The affirmation of the people
3. The obedience of the people
4. THE PRAYER OF NEHEMIAH (Nehemiah 5:14-19 [14] Moreover from the time that I was appointed to be their governor in the land of Judah, from the twentieth year even unto the two and thirtieth year of Artaxerxes the king, that is, twelve years, I and my brethren have not eaten the bread of the governor. [15] But the former governors that had been before me were chargeable unto the people, and had taken of them bread and wine, beside forty shekels of silver; yea, even their servants bare rule over the people: but so did not I, because of the fear of God. [16] Yea, also I continued in the work of this wall, neither bought we any land: and all my servants were gathered thither unto the work. [17] Moreover there were at my table an hundred and fifty of the Jews and rulers, beside those that came unto us from among the heathen that are about us. [18] Now that which was prepared for me daily was one ox and six choice sheep; also fowls were prepared for me, and once in ten days store of all sorts of wine: yet for all this required not I the bread of the governor, because the bondage was heavy upon this people. [19] Think upon me, my God, for good, according to all that I have done for this people.
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1. His Concern (Nehemiah 5:14-18 [14] Moreover from the time that I was appointed to be their governor in the land of Judah, from the twentieth year even unto the two and thirtieth year of Artaxerxes the king, that is, twelve years, I and my brethren have not eaten the bread of the governor. [15] But the former governors that had been before me were chargeable unto the people, and had taken of them bread and wine, beside forty shekels of silver; yea, even their servants bare rule over the people: but so did not I, because of the fear of God. [16] Yea, also I continued in the work of this wall, neither bought we any land: and all my servants were gathered thither unto the work. [17] Moreover there were at my table an hundred and fifty of the Jews and rulers, beside those that came unto us from among the heathen that are about us. [18] Now that which was prepared for me daily was one ox and six choice sheep; also fowls were prepared for me, and once in ten days store of all sorts of wine: yet for all this required not I the bread of the governor, because the bondage was heavy upon this people.
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1. To avoid being a burden (Nehemiah 5:14-16 [14] Moreover from the time that I was appointed to be their governor in the land of Judah, from the twentieth year even unto the two and thirtieth year of Artaxerxes the king, that is, twelve years, I and my brethren have not eaten the bread of the governor. [15] But the former governors that had been before me were chargeable unto the people, and had taken of them bread and wine, beside forty shekels of silver; yea, even their servants bare rule over the people: but so did not I, because of the fear of God. [16] Yea, also I continued in the work of this wall, neither bought we any land: and all my servants were gathered thither unto the work.
   See All...)
2. To care for his own (Nehemiah 5:17-18 [17] Moreover there were at my table an hundred and fifty of the Jews and rulers, beside those that came unto us from among the heathen that are about us. [18] Now that which was prepared for me daily was one ox and six choice sheep; also fowls were prepared for me, and once in ten days store of all sorts of wine: yet for all this required not I the bread of the governor, because the bondage was heavy upon this people.
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2. His Request (Nehemiah 5:19Think upon me, my God, for good, according to all that I have done for this people.
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1. For the thought of the Lord
2. For the goodness of the Lord
3. For the remembrance of the Lord

CONCLUSION: We are to care for our brothers and sisters in the Lord. No man is an island (Romans 14:7For none of us liveth to himself, and no man dieth to himself.
See All...). We are to bear one another’s burdens (Galatians 6:2Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.
See All...). Certainly, we are not to take financial advantage of other in their times of need.

Romans 13:8Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law.
See All... – Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law.

Proverbs 22:7The rich ruleth over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender.
See All... – The rich ruleth over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender.

Proverbs 28:8He that by usury and unjust gain increaseth his substance, he shall gather it for him that will pity the poor.
See All... – He that by usury and unjust gain increaseth his substance, he shall gather it for him that will pity the poor.