Where are the Nehemiah’s of today?

Read Nehemiah 5:1-19

To focus on how justice issues affect the marginalised:

God cares for the poor, and for justice between people. This passage highlights the injustice that the people have slipped into without thinking about the consequences.

• What are some of the social justice issues that you are aware of in our city or country?
• Who do these most affect?
• Who are most insulated from the injustices that are common in our city or country?
• Who has most power to change these?

To focus on the value of people:

In verse Neh 5:5, there is a really interesting statement – “Although we are of the same flesh and blood as our fellow Jews and though our children are as good as theirs, yet we have to subject our sons and daughters to slavery.” At the heart of these justice issues is the conviction that every person has equal value.

• How does our culture or society communicate this value (or the opposite)?
• How did Jesus communicate his value of people in what he did and taught?
• What can we do to influence this in this city?

To focus on addressing injustice:

While there are significant systemic issues (ways that systems are set up with treat people differently) that create injustice, there are also opportunities for us to address injustice and help others out. Nehemiah addresses both of these – stopping the lending with interest, and both showing and encouraging generosity.

• How can we be involved in addressing systemic issues around Ōtautahi? What might this cost us?
• Where can we show generosity (in time, energy and/or attention) to make a difference?

Read Deuteronomy 15:7, 10-11. What attitudes are being challenged here?

Pray for soft and generous hearts, for opportunities to make a difference, and for relationships that cross the barriers of inequality.