The previous phrase had told us that a powerful anger had arisen in Nehemiah in response to the predicament of the poor. Instead, however, of letting his anger dictate his next step, Nehemiah exercised dominion over his emotions (Genesis 1:26; Proverbs 16:32; Proverbs 25:28) and gave himself space to think through a wise and God-pleasing response.
7 I took counsel with myself, and I brought charges against the nobles and the officials. I said to them, “You are exacting interest, each from his brother.” And I held a great assembly against them