The Gates of Jerusalem. Nehemiah 3: 1- 32 (Part 2)
These six gates illustrate the absolute need for God’s Church. The SHEEP GATE, maintained by Jesus our High Priest, represents the care for God’s sheepfold. The Lord must always be our Shepherd, leading us to green pastures and still waters. (
Psa. 23:1-2)
The FISH GATE is the evangelistic trust of God’s Church- our commission to reach the world with the saving Gospel of Jesus Christ. The OLD GATE represents the need for us to hold fast to sounding teaching. We must not abandon the Gospel of old, in favor of a new message. There is no other Gospel than the Gospel of Jesus Christ. The VALLEY GATE is the means of refreshing and restoration. And, through the DUNG GATE goes any other gospel, along with the filth of this sinful world. By purging the pollution of sin, the FOUNTAIN GATES of the Holy Ghost will free-flow in our daily lives.
The 3rd chapter of Nehemiah mentions other gates. Though they are alluded to only briefly, their importance is noteworthy. These gates seem to have needed no repair, but they do have a significant role in the make up of the city of Jerusalem:
WATER GATE: It was before the water gate, that Ezra, the scribe, read God’s Word to the people. (
Neh. 8) God’s Word must be central in our lives.
Eph 5:26 That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word,
The water gate needed no repair, just as God’s Word cannot be “improved” upon. We cannot add one word, nor can we take one word away.
Further, the significance of water in the Plan of Salvation cannot be ignored. Jesus spoke to Nicodemus about the necessity of being born of the water and of the Spirit in
John 3. John baptized in water “unto repentance” and Peter gave us the plan of salvation in Acts. 2:38. Water baptism is a necessary part of God’s plan for the salvation of our souls.
Acts 2:38 leaves no room for doubt as to what God expects of those who will follow Him: “Repent, and be baptized everyone of you in the Name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost”. The message of God’s Word cannot and must not be altered.
The HORSE GATE- Horses were vital to the security of the city of Jerusalem. Not only were they the most efficient means of transportation, they were also formidable weapons of warfare and defense. This speaks of the spiritual warfare we are engaged in against the “rulers of darkness”. 2Cr 10:4 (For the weapons of our warfare [are] not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;". Our fight is a spiritual fight, “…against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places”. (
Eph. 6:12)
The EAST GATE:
Mat 24:27 For as the lightning cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the west; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. The “east” is traditionally thought of as the direction from which the Lord will return for His Bride. The EAST GATE reminds us that, Yes!- Jesus is coming! And we need to be ever diligent to be “Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God…” The coming of Jesus is not a day of doom and gloom- it is the Christians hope, for we “…look for new heavens, and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.“ (
I Pet. 3:12-13. “…this same Jesus which is taken up from you, shall so come again in like manner….” (
Acts 1:11)
The MIPHKAD GATE. Little is known about this gate whose names means the “appointed place”. One commentator said this was a seldom used gate that was used as a meeting place by the residents of Jerusalem to gather to talk and pass on news and information. It was, in effect, a place of fellowship. People came together here just to visit and enjoy a time of fellowship. Fellowship and unity is important to God’s Church. The Bible tells us the early church, “Continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship…” Unity is the hallmark of God’s true church. Coming together in a spirit of unity and fellowship is what makes God’s people who and what they are. That’s why Paul admonishes us in
Eph. 4:3- “Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace”. Not only are we to maintain a unity with God’s Spirit, but we must also seek unity with one another. (
Eph. 4:13)
Those chosen by Nehemiah to rebuild Jerusalems walls and gates were “repairers of the breach”. Are we to be anything less? Isaiah says in
Isa 58:12 And [they that shall be] of thee shall build the old waste places: thou shalt raise up the foundations of many generations; and thou shalt be called, The repairer of the breach, The restorer of paths to dwell in.” We look about us today in this closing hour of time, and we see many “breaches” in need of repair. The Body of Christ seems to be so disjointed, as people seem to be withdrawing from one another, rather than drawing closer. Division and strife seems to be the object of the game, rather than unity and fellowship. Do we even believe what Jesus said about a divided house? Churches are closing…organizations are splitting and splintering themselves out of existence. The division and strife among God’s people is closing the gates and stopping up the fountains. The horses of our spiritual warfare stand idle as we fight and devour one another. Our streets are clogged with the debris of sin. We need to be repairers and not destroyers. Builders , not wreckers. “Watchmen….”, Ezekiel asks, “…what of the night?” Souls are being lost every day. Christians are becoming disillusioned and discouraged. The Gospel of Jesus Christ is being replaced by a another gospel. Are there any Nehemiahs among us today who will say, “Arise, and let us build…”? What of Baruch, son of Zabbai, who did “earnestly repair….” (
Neh. 3:20)? Or will the “nobles”, those who “put not their necks to the work of the Lord” rule the day?
Written by "OneAccord" 9/2/09