The Outcry of the Oppressed

Nehemiah 5

Nehemiah may have come to Jerusalem to rebuild the broken walls and fortify the gates, but that was just the first layer of restoration so desperately needed. He discovers that beneath the surface, a deep crack divides fellow Jews from one another, and their relationships are in shambles; the victims raise an outcry. 

The first time crying occurs in the Bible, it comes from a murdered brother’s blood, 

and the cry goes straight to the ears of God (Genesis 4:10).

When an outcry is raised against the debauchery of an entire city,

this great cry moves God to intervene in judgment (Genesis 18:20,21). 

When Israel sees Pharaoh marching toward them, “they were terrified and cried out to the Lord” who hears and defends them (Exodus 14:10).

In the Law to His people, God warns not to oppress an orphan, a widow, or the poor, 

because if they cried out to God about any mistreatment, 

He would hear, and His wrath would burn against the oppressor (Exodus 22:21-27).

Over and over, God’s people suffer at the hands of stronger nations, 

and when they cry out to Him, He saves (Judges 10:11,12).

But, brothers weren’t supposed to provoke such cries (Deuteronomy 23:19,20).

Whether it’s a city, an army, or a family member who plays the part of aggressor, God hears the outcry of the oppressed and sides with them against their oppressor. 

If you’re a victim, raise an outcry.

If the cries reach your ears, how can you lighten the load like Nehemiah did? It may put you in similarly awkward positions of confrontation, it may require self-sacrifice, and it may mean doing what no former leader has done, but standing with the weak is linking arms with God.