At various points in biblical history, we sometimes see that opposition to God’s purpose came from the outside, from those who are enemies of God’s revealed will. But on other occasions, the source of problems and discord is from within, from professed followers. This was the case in Nehemiah 5. Previously the inspired narrative had traced the opposition to rebuilding Jerusalem’s wall to men such as Sanballat the Horonite, Tobiah the Ammonite and Gehsem the Arab (2:10,19; 4:1,7), enemies from “without.” But in chapter 5 it is the “Jewish brethren” (v. 1), their “nobles and rulers” (v.7), who were taking advantage of the poor (Jews) for their own financial profit. The poor were having to borrow money, and even reduced to selling their children as slaves, to have something to eat. (Neh. 5:1-5). Hence their plea to Nehemiah: “Therefore let us get grain for them, that we may eat and live” (v.2).
To illustrate, I want to share some photos from Maresha, near Beit Guvrin, Israel.
This photo shows a portion of the wheat field, plus an ancient well (note the rope marks), a manger, a milestone, an almond tree, and my good friend/brother Ferrell Jenkins. (He is “out standing” in his field). That’s a lot to get in one photo 🙂
And a close up of the almond tree:
Read Nehemiah 5:6-13 to see how Nehemiah immediately resolved the problem caused by the greedy nobles and rulers.
For some of my related posts on this area, click here, here, here, and here.
Click images for larger view.
Posted by Leon Mauldin 
leonmauldin.blog 