REMEMBER ME WITH FAVOR, MY GOD

Passage: Nehemiah 5:14-19

Key verse: 19

NIV

14 Moreover, from the twentieth year of King Artaxerxes,(A) when I was appointed to be their governor(B) in the land of Judah, until his thirty-second year—twelve years—neither I nor my brothers ate the food allotted to the governor. 15 But the earlier governors—those preceding me—placed a heavy burden on the people and took forty shekels[a] of silver from them in addition to food and wine. Their assistants also lorded it over the people. But out of reverence for God(C) I did not act like that. 16 Instead,(D) I devoted myself to the work on this wall. All my men were assembled there for the work; we[b] did not acquire any land.

17 Furthermore, a hundred and fifty Jews and officials ate at my table, as well as those who came to us from the surrounding nations. 18 Each day one ox, six choice sheep and some poultry(E) were prepared for me, and every ten days an abundant supply of wine of all kinds. In spite of all this, I never demanded the food allotted to the governor, because the demands were heavy on these people.

19 Remember(F) me with favor, my God, for all I have done for these people.

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Footnotes
  1. Nehemiah 5:15 That is, about 1 pound or about 460 grams
  2. Nehemiah 5:16 Most Hebrew manuscripts; some Hebrew manuscripts, Septuagint, Vulgate and Syriac I
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Source: BibleGateway

ESV

Nehemiah's Generosity

14 Moreover, from the time that I was appointed to be their governor in the land of Judah, from (A)the twentieth year to (B)the thirty-second year of Artaxerxes the king, twelve years, (C)neither I nor my brothers ate the food allowance of the governor. 15 The former governors who were before me laid heavy burdens on the people and took from them for their daily ration[a] forty shekels[b] of silver. Even their servants lorded it over the people. But I did not do so, (D)because of the fear of God. 16 I also persevered in the work on this wall, and we acquired no land, and all my servants were gathered there for the work. 17 Moreover, there were (E)at my table 150 men, Jews and officials, besides those who came to us from the nations that were around us. 18 (F)Now what was prepared at my expense[c] for each day was one ox and six choice sheep and birds, and every ten days all kinds of wine in abundance. Yet for all this (G)I did not demand the food allowance of the governor, because the service was too heavy on this people. 19 (H)Remember for my good, O my God, all that I have done for this people.

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Footnotes
  1. Nehemiah 5:15 Compare Vulgate; Hebrew took from them for food and wine after
  2. Nehemiah 5:15 A shekel was about 2/5 ounce or 11 grams
  3. Nehemiah 5:18 Or prepared for me
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
Source: BibleGateway

Nehemiah sought to live a life that was pleasing to God. Throughout his 12 years as the governor, he never ate the food that was allotted to him. Previous governors had placed a heavy burden on the people by charging them money and taking food and wine from them. They lived lavishly at the people’s expense. In contrast, Nehemiah devoted himself to what God had called him to do and his men followed his example. They were not there to make a profit, but to work on the wall.

Nehemiah always sought to give instead of to receive. He was generous in how he used his own wealth. Nehemiah regularly hosted 15

Jews and officials at his table and entertained many guests from surrounding nations. All of this was out of his own pocket. Why did he do this? It was because Nehemiah didn’t want to burden God’s people. All that mattered to Nehemiah was how God remembered him. The good life, in his heart and mind, was a life that pleased the Lord. It was a life of service and love for God’s people. Nehemiah prayed, “Remember me with favor, my God, for all I have done for these people.” Is this our prayer? How will God remember us? Nehemiah set a good example for us to follow. We must honor God by sacrificially loving his people.

Prayer: Father, I want to live for your glory. Help me to do what pleases you and is best for your people.

One Word: Live with reverence for God