Shaking

When Nehemiah came to Jerusalem, he was “very angry” when he heard the “outcry” of many Jews against some Jewish brothers. These men had used their power, influence, and resources to take advantage of others.

He confronted “the nobles and the rulers” and accused them of “exacting usury” from fellow Jews. As they listened, these men felt convicted and “could not find a word to say.” They agreed to stop charging interest and restore anything that had been wrongly extracted: “We will give it back and will require nothing from them; we will do exactly as you say.”

But Nehemiah was not content with this pledge. These men had engaged in deceptive practices before, and he knew that they might forget or ignore their promises. So he “called the priests and took an oath from them that they would do according to this promise.”

As a visual demonstration, he shook out the front of his garment and warned that God would shake every person who did not “fulfill this promise.” In the process, these men would “be shaken out and emptied.”

He was reminding them that God was not just interested in pledges but actions. He watched to see if they would keep their word, and fulfill their promises.

This reminds us that God sees and hears our promises but continues watching to see if we follow through, and actually do what we say we will do. If we back our words with actions.

Ask God to give you compass for others, remembering that you have been blessed that you can be a blessing. But always remember to keep your promises.