Nehemiah- firm and loving

Nehemiah- firm and loving

I also shook out the folds of my robe and said, “In this way may God shake out of their house and possessions anyone who does not keep this promise. So may such a person be shaken out and emptied!”

Nehemiah 5:12

Nehemiah was not happy with the Jews. He wants them to stop their mistakes and return to their brethren what they got from them. Here, Nehemiah as a mother, guides the Jews. He is firm with them yet loving.

🥰 Loving Nehemiah 🥰

🗣Nehemiah had authority to command over the Jews.

🍯But he uses soft, loving words while speaking to the Jews.

Though he was angry with them, he does not show it in his words.

🍯 I pray you, let us leave off this usury. (V.10)

🍯 Restore, I pray you, to them, even this day, their lands (v. 11)

Though he had authority to command, yet, for love's sake, he rather beseeches.

🧐 Tough Nehemiah 🧐

He laid them under all the obligations possible to do what he pressed them to.

1. He got a promise from them (v.12)
2. He sent for the priests to give them their oath  that they would perform this promise (v.12)
3. He bound them by a solemn curse or execration, hoping that would strike some awe upon them (V.13)

👩🏻‍🦰 Like a mother 👩🏻‍🦰

Nehemiah wanted his brethren to realise their mistakes, stop them from doing it and mend their ways. He accomplishes this in a motherly way.

👩🏻‍🦰A mother is firm yet loving. She corrects her children when they go wrong.
👩🏻‍🦰 When there is a fight between siblings, she intervenes and brings about peace. 
👩🏻‍🦰  She does not ignore the problems but addresses them.
👩🏻‍🦰  She strives to bring peace between the siblings or other members. 

🧔🏻 All these traits were seen in Nehemiah!

Nehemiah did not use force, he did not compel them. But the things he had in mind were accomplished. 

✨ ‘Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,’ says the Lord Almighty.

Zch 4:6✨