In Nehemiah 4, the Israelites rallied together to fight off their enemies while rebuilding Jerusalem’s walls. But by Chapter 5, the strain of the work, plus the impact of famine, caused the people to begin complaining about the oppression they experienced by their own leaders.
Due to oppressive debt, these leaders had put their own people into slavery and bondage, making freedom seem hopeless.
Nehemiah knew that his project could easily get derailed without addressing the internal conflict.
Nehemiah 5:8 says about Nehemiah, “When I heard their outcry and these charges, I was very angry. I pondered them in my mind and then accused the nobles and officials…” (NIV)
As leaders we need to recognize when an internal conflict is brewing, then address it promptly and fairly.
