Unboxed By God

One day, all those who have trusted in Christ will be freed from oppression that is in this world. What a wonderful day that will be! Oppression is like being placed in a box and having a label pasted to you, and not being able to escape from the box no matter how hard you try to do so.

There was once a governor named Nehemiah. He was appointed to his position by the ruling king of the world, King Artaxerxes of Persia (modern day Iran).

Nehemiah’s goal was to rebuild the city of Jerusalem. As if removing the rubble, and rebuilding the city was not enough of a challenge, he also had to overcome the oppressors of his people.

At one point, he had to confront those who had an abundance of money and set them straight. They were charging exorbitant interest fees on loans to the poor. As a result, some of the laborers had their lands confiscated by the rich and even felt obligated to sell their daughters to them just so they could eat. [1]

Nehemiah said to the rich, “What you are doing is not good. Should you not walk in the fear of our God because of the reproach of the nations, our enemies?” He told them to restore the crops, houses and property immediately to the laborers. Thankfully, they complied, and did so. [2]

Nehemiah led by example. He had more than 150 people eat at his table each day. He did not demand his rightful pay, because he saw that the laborers were greatly oppressed. He took his case to the Lord, praying, “Remember me, my God, for good, according to all that I have done for this people.” [3]

Outside his district were enemies who sought to sabotage Nehemiah’s progress. They asked him to meet with them, but he refused to do so because he knew that they meant to do him harm. Four times, they asked for a meeting with him, and four times Nehemiah replied to them, saying, “I am doing a great work, so that I cannot come down. Why should the work cease while I leave it and go down to you?” [4]

Next, the oppressors falsely accused him and his people of being rebels. They accused him of planning to make himself a king over the people. They said that he was paying prophets to proclaim him a king. They threatened to report him to King Artaxerxes if he did not meet with them. He replied to them, saying, “No such things as you say are being done, but you invent them in your own heart.” They were trying to make Nehemiah and his coworkers afraid. Nehemiah prayed, “O God, strengthen my hands.” [5]

The oppressors sent to him a messenger who warned him that a man was going to assassinate him. Again, calling for a meeting with him. Nehemiah discerned that those who wanted to keep his people under their thumbs were using fear tactics to do so. They made up stories. Governors, who serve themselves, use fear to exploit people, while governors who serve others, protect, and encourage them. Nehemiah refused to back down to the death threats against him. [6]

Nehemiah completed the rebuild. Both his enemies and the surrounding nations were disheartened because they perceived that this work was done by God. [7]

How did Nehemiah overcome oppression? How was it he remained free from the box and label that his enemies wanted to stick on him?

He trusted in God for help.

“I will lift up my eyes to the hills—from whence comes my help? My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth.” [8]

He laid his case out before God and ask God to intervene on his behalf. This is what King David did, when he prayed, “Have mercy on us, O Lord, have mercy on us! For we are exceedingly filled with contempt. Our soul is exceedingly filled with the scorn of those who are at ease, with the contempt of the proud.” [9]

God gave Nehemiah wisdom. The source from which destructive strife flows is pride. Nehemiah’s enemies were proud men who did not like his servant-style leadership.

Proud people are like the religious leaders who hated Jesus in the Gospels. They hated Jesus because He was seeking God's glory and doing what was best for everyone involved. “By pride comes nothing but strife, but with the well-advised is wisdom. Wealth gained by dishonesty will be diminished, but he who gathers by labor will increase.” [10]

How does God unbox us and remove the false labels from us? He has to remove the narratives in our heads that are not from God. Stop listening to the devil and believing his lies. Listen to God!

“He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?

Who shall bring a charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies.

Who is he who condemns? It is Christ who died, and furthermore is also risen, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us.

Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?” [11]

God gave up His best for us. His Son! What more do we need for Him to do to show us that He is on our side and wants us to enjoy a meaningful and fruitful life? Let’s say no to boxes and labels, and live, and be who God made us to be. As the Apostle Peter said, “Be even more diligent to make your call and election sure, for if you do these things, you will never stumble.” [12]

[1] Nehemiah 5:1-8
[2] Nehemiah 5:9-12
[3] Nehemiah 5:17-19
[4] Nehemiah 6:1-4
[5] Nehemiah 6:5-9
[6] Nehemiah 6:10-14
[7] Nehemiah 6:16
[8] Psalm 121:1-2
[9] Psalm 123:3-4
[10] Proverbs 13:10-11
[11] Romans 8:32-35
[12] 2 Peter 1:10