“But the former governors that had been before me were chargeable unto the people, and had taken of them bread and wine, beside forty shekels of silver; yea, even their servants bare rule over the people: but so did not I, because of the fear of God.”
Nehemiah continues his disclosure: "The former governors who were before me laid heavy burdens on the people, and took from them food and wine, besides forty shekels of silver. Even their servants lorded it over the people. But I did not do so, because of the fear of God." The contrast between Nehemiah's conduct and that of his predecessors emphasizes the corrupt practices of earlier governance; previous governors had enriched themselves through taxation and coercion. Nehemiah's refusal to emulate these exploitative practices is grounded in his fear of God, indicating that his conduct is motivated by theological principle rather than political calculation. The specific example of servant domination (extending exploitation to the administrative class) illustrates the corruption of the previous system and the need for Nehemiah's reform.
COMMUNITY REFLECTIONS
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