I pondered them in my mind and then accused the nobles and officials. I told them, "You are exacting usury from your own countrymen!" So I called together a large meeting to deal with them and said: "As far as possible, we have bought back our Jewish brothers who were sold to the Gentiles. Now you are selling your brothers, only for them to be sold back to us!" They kept quiet, because they could find nothing to say. So I continued, "What you are doing is not right. Shouldn't you walk in the fear of our God to avoid the reproach of our Gentile enemies? I and my brothers and my men are also lending the people money and grain. But let the exacting of usury stop! Give back to them immediately their fields, vineyards, olive groves and houses, and also the usury you are charging them--the hundredth part of the money, grain, new wine and oil."Although the hair-pulling is probably not to be emulated today, I have to admire the man's persuasiveness."We will give it back," they said. "And we will not demand anything more from them. We will do as you say."
Nehemiah 5.7-12
Show business kids making movies of themselvesReturning to the subject of hair for a moment (I'm fascinated by hair, probably because I'm losing some of mine), the New Testament reading for today is from 1 Corinthians 11. Ray Stedman said this chapter was about whether women should wear hats in church (somewhat tongue in cheek), but anyway it includes this puzzling section:
You know they don't give a $* about anybody else
Judge for yourselves: Is it proper for a woman to pray to God with her head uncovered? Does not the very nature of things teach you that if a man has long hair, it is a disgrace to him, but that if a woman has long hair, it is her glory? For long hair is given to her as a covering.Does the nature of things teach me about hair? Sorry, but I don't get it.1 Corinthians 11.13-15