Nehemiah 13:31

And for the wood offering, at times appointed, and for the firstfruits. Remember me, O my God, for good.

And for the wood {H6086} offering {H7133}, at times {H6256} appointed {H2163}, and for the firstfruits {H1061}. Remember {H2142} me, O my God {H430}, for good {H2896}.

I also made provision for the delivery of wood at stated times, and for the firstfruits. My God, remember me favorably.

I also arranged for contributions of wood at the appointed times, and for the firstfruits. Remember me, O my God, with favor.

and for the wood-offering, at times appointed, and for the first-fruits. Remember me, O my God, for good.

Commentary

Context

Nehemiah 13:31 serves as the poignant conclusion to the entire Book of Nehemiah. This chapter details Nehemiah's return to Jerusalem after being away for some time and discovering that many of the reforms he had previously instituted had been neglected or reversed. He finds widespread corruption, including the desecration of the temple by allowing Tobiah the Ammonite to reside in its courts (Nehemiah 13:4-9), the withholding of tithes leading to the abandonment of duties by the Levites and temple singers (Nehemiah 13:10-14), widespread Sabbath breaking (Nehemiah 13:15-22), and mixed marriages with foreign women (Nehemiah 13:23-27). Nehemiah, with his characteristic zeal, takes decisive action to correct these wrongs, restoring proper worship and order.

This final verse summarizes his commitment to ensuring the temple services are properly maintained, specifically mentioning the provision of "wood offering" (essential for the altar fire) and "firstfruits" (which supported the priests and Levites). His concluding plea, "Remember me, O my God, for good," echoes similar prayers found earlier in the chapter (Nehemiah 13:14, Nehemiah 13:22), highlighting his desire for divine approval and blessing for his strenuous efforts in God's service.

Key Themes

  • Faithful Service and Diligence: Nehemiah's life is a testament to unwavering commitment to God's law and the restoration of Jerusalem's spiritual and physical integrity. His work involved not just rebuilding walls but also reforming the people's hearts and practices.
  • Importance of Supporting Worship: The mention of "wood offering" and "firstfruits" underscores the practical necessity of providing resources for the maintenance of temple worship and the sustenance of those who served there. This reflects a biblical principle of honoring God with our material possessions, as also seen in Proverbs 3:9.
  • Divine Remembrance and Approval: Nehemiah's recurring prayer, "Remember me, O my God, for good," reveals his ultimate desire: not human praise or political power, but God's favorable remembrance and blessing for his arduous service. It's a humble yet confident appeal to the one true Judge. This concept of God remembering is often linked to His covenant faithfulness, as in Psalm 105:8.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew phrase translated "Remember me, O my God, for good" is significant. The verb "remember" (זָכַר, zakhar) in biblical Hebrew often implies more than just a mental recall; it means to take action on behalf of someone, to acknowledge, or to intervene favorably. Thus, Nehemiah is not merely asking God to recall his deeds, but to respond positively to them, to bless him. The phrase "for good" (לְטוֹבָה, l'tovah) emphasizes a beneficial, positive outcome or a reward from God.

Practical Application

  • Serve with Integrity: Nehemiah's example challenges believers to serve God diligently and with unwavering commitment, even when facing opposition or apathy.
  • Prioritize God's Approval: Our ultimate goal in service should be God's remembrance and approval, not human applause or recognition. This aligns with the New Testament emphasis on pleasing God rather than men (Galatians 1:10).
  • Support Spiritual Work: The mention of offerings reminds us of the ongoing need to support the work of God's kingdom, whether through financial contributions, time, or talents, to ensure that spiritual ministries can thrive.
  • Conclude with Prayer: Like Nehemiah, we can commit our efforts and lives to God, trusting that He sees and remembers our faithful service, and that He will act "for good" on our behalf.

Reflection

Nehemiah 13:31 encapsulates the heart of a dedicated servant. It is a humble, yet confident, prayer from a man who poured his life into restoring God's people and His worship. It serves as a powerful reminder that while our work for God may often be challenging and sometimes unappreciated by others, God Himself sees, remembers, and will ultimately bless those who serve Him faithfully "for good."

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Cross-References

  • Nehemiah 13:14 (8 votes)

    Remember me, O my God, concerning this, and wipe not out my good deeds that I have done for the house of my God, and for the offices thereof.

  • Nehemiah 13:22 (7 votes)

    And I commanded the Levites that they should cleanse themselves, and [that] they should come [and] keep the gates, to sanctify the sabbath day. Remember me, O my God, [concerning] this also, and spare me according to the greatness of thy mercy.

  • Psalms 106:4 (4 votes)

    Remember me, O LORD, with the favour [that thou bearest unto] thy people: O visit me with thy salvation;

  • Psalms 26:8 (3 votes)

    LORD, I have loved the habitation of thy house, and the place where thine honour dwelleth.

  • Psalms 26:9 (3 votes)

    Gather not my soul with sinners, nor my life with bloody men:

  • Psalms 25:7 (3 votes)

    Remember not the sins of my youth, nor my transgressions: according to thy mercy remember thou me for thy goodness' sake, O LORD.

  • Nehemiah 10:34 (3 votes)

    And we cast the lots among the priests, the Levites, and the people, for the wood offering, to bring [it] into the house of our God, after the houses of our fathers, at times appointed year by year, to burn upon the altar of the LORD our God, as [it is] written in the law: