Nehemiah 13:31 - and for the wood offering, at times appointed, and for the first fruits. Remember me, my God, for good.

Generated Verse: Nehemiah 13:31

What does "Nehemiah 13:31" mean?


This verse is a heartfelt prayer from Nehemiah at the end of his reforms. Let's break down what it means:

"And for the wood offering, at times appointed..." In the Temple, sacrifices were offered regularly. A consistent supply of wood was needed to burn these offerings. Nehemiah, earlier in the book, had organized the people to bring wood offerings at specific times to ensure the Temple always had what it needed for worship. This phrase is likely referring to his efforts in organizing this provision. It suggests that he wants God to remember him for his dedication to facilitating proper worship.

"...and for the first fruits." The Law required Israelites to offer the first part of their harvest to God as a sign of thankfulness and acknowledgement that He was the source of their blessings. Again, Nehemiah likely played a role in encouraging or enforcing the proper offering of first fruits. He hopes God will recognize his contribution to ensuring the people honored God with their harvest.

"Remember me, my God, for good." This is the core of the prayer. Nehemiah is asking God to remember him favorably, not just for these specific acts related to the Temple, but for the overall intention and spirit behind his actions. He is humbly appealing to God to recognize his efforts to serve Him and His people. It's not a claim of deserving reward, but a hopeful plea for divine favor and blessing.

In Summary:

Nehemiah is praying that God will remember his efforts to restore proper worship practices in Jerusalem, specifically the provision of wood for the Temple sacrifices and the offering of first fruits. It's a humble request for God's favor and recognition, based on his dedication to serving God and the people of Israel. The "remember me for good" suggests that Nehemiah wants God to look at the intentions behind his actions, and bless him accordingly. It expresses his dependence on God's grace, rather than relying on his own merit.