Fussin' and feudin' series, conclusion

This study has been quite revealing. We've seen people who were wronged and complained. We have seen the nobles who were exploiting people confronted with their sin. We've seen their response, to stop their practices and to even make the victims whole again. We've seen a system of accountability implemented.
I think we've learned a lot about resolving conflicts biblically. The Bible sets out the correct approach for talking to those in authority (the ones who can help make changes!), confronting sinful behavior, setting a good example, and holding each other accountable as fellow Christians.

The last thing we can notice here is that the people were willing to submit to God and change. Nowadays, believers need to be willing to submit to God and His Word, too, and if the leaders are doing things in a godly manner, it's biblical to submit to their leadership.  Many times, though, in our world today, leaders will confront people with wrongdoing -- and the Christians who are in the wrong react with anger. Or defensiveness. Some will even leave the church because of their anger (or their embarrassment).  Others make "take their side" and leave with them. Still others will look on the situation with contempt and simply drop out of church altogether.

How sad.
Thankfully, sometimes there are victories! We see in this chapter of Nehemiah that the "loan sharks" (the nobles who were exploiting their fellow Jews) accepted the rebuke given and didn't fight back. Their hearts were softened and they could see that their behavior disobeyed the rules that God had set up. Their business practices hurt their fellow Jews, and even gave their enemies reason to mock them and their God.

 "Give back to them immediately their fields, vineyards, olive groves and houses, and also the interest you are charging them—one percent of the money, grain, new wine and olive oil.”12 “We will give it back,” they said. “And we will not demand anything more from them. We will do as you say.”Then I summoned the priests and made the nobles and officials take an oath to do what they had promised. (v 11-12)

The nobles faced up to the fact that they'd been greedy, and they repented of their behavior and said they would pay back all of those they'd taken advantage of. They were willing to be held accountable, and they even praised God:

At this the whole assembly said, “Amen,” and praised the Lord. And the people did as they had promised. (v 13b)

I guess for people to respond that positively to correction or rebuke is pretty rare. But it shouldn't be. It's our pride that makes us forget words like these:

Have confidence in your leaders and submit to their authority, because they keep watch over you as those who must give an account. Do this so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no benefit to you. (Hebrews 13:17)

Whether we are leaders or followers, we should be careful to avoid pointing fingers at each other, and look to God's Word for ways to resolve conflicts. Satan dearly loves to divide God's people by getting them upset with each other. But if we are committed to resolving conflicts God's way, His work can still go forward.