Nehemiah 9:28-38
We have the summary of this whole chapter in v. 33: "Thou art just in all that is brought upon us; for thou hast done right, but we have done wickedly". Let us relate this declaration to a word in the gospel of John: he that hath received the testimony of Jesus "hath set to his seal that God is true" (John 3:33; see also Romans 3:4). Sealing is the act of officially approving a declaration, guaranteeing it and agreeing to observe it. So the princes, Levites and priests put their seals (in other words their signatures) to confirm their agreement.
At the end of this long confession, let us remember two very important items of instruction: firstly, it is necessary, in order to deal with evil, to go back as far as possible to the source of that evil by retracing our steps. The law breaking began with the incident of the golden calf; well, that cannot be passed over in silence (v. 18)! Secondly, a confession must be precise: telling God in a general way I am a sinner, I have committed some sins – that costs very little and is worthless in His sight. He waits for us to say: "Lord, I am guilty; this is what I have done and what I have failed to do" (see Leviticus 5:5).