Nehemiah 13:22

“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.”

Nehemiah 13:22 is part of the concluding chapter of the book of Nehemiah. To fully understand this verse, it’s helpful to provide some context by looking at the events leading up to it.

Nehemiah was a cupbearer to the king of Persia, but he was burdened with the news of Jerusalem’s ruined walls and the city’s spiritual and social decline. He received permission from the king to return to Jerusalem and rebuild the city walls. With the help of the people, Nehemiah successfully accomplished this task in just 52 days.

After the walls were rebuilt, Nehemiah focused on restoring the spiritual life of the people. In Nehemiah 13, we see him confronting various issues that had arisen in Jerusalem during his absence. One of these issues was the desecration of the Sabbath day.

In Nehemiah 13:15-22, Nehemiah discovered that the people of Jerusalem were engaging in business and commerce on the Sabbath, which was a violation of God’s commandment to keep it holy and set apart as a day of rest. Nehemiah was deeply grieved by this and took immediate action.

In verse 22, Nehemiah commanded the Levites, who were responsible for the spiritual affairs of the people, to cleanse themselves and keep the gates of Jerusalem. By doing so, they would ensure that the Sabbath day was sanctified and observed properly. Nehemiah understood the significance of the Sabbath in maintaining the spiritual health of the people and their relationship with God.

Moreover, Nehemiah’s prayer, “Remember me, O my God, concerning this also, and spare me according to the greatness of thy mercy!” reveals his reliance on God’s mercy and his desire for God to remember his efforts and grant him favour.

This verse highlights the importance of obedience to God’s commands and the significance of the Sabbath day as a time set apart for worship, rest, and reflection. It also emphasises Nehemiah’s dependence on God’s mercy and his desire to be spared from judgment.