Nehemiah 3:15-32, The Gates of Jerusalem (Nehemiah)

We are still meditating on the arrangement for working on the wall found in Neh. 4.  Today I want to share a devotional thought based in the various gates of Jerusalem.  And at the end we will put some pictures of the current gates, just for your enjoyment and perhaps even more for my own enjoyment.  Two years ago this coming Sunday (2/6/20) we departed for our last trip to Israel. 

·                   Sheep Gate, v1: This gate was just north of the Temple Mount.  Sheep were brought here for sacrifice.  Inside were the sheep pools (the pool of Bethesda, John 5:2).  We are reminded of the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.  “He was led as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before its shearers is silent, so He opened not His mouth” (Isa. 53:7).

·                   Fish Gate, v3: Nearby was the fish market, where fish were brought each day.  Let us, as fishers of men (Mt. 4:19), go out the gate to engage the world.

·                   Old Gate, v6: This gate apparently went back to the time of the Jebusites.  “Thus says the LORD: ‘Stand in the ways and see, and ask for the old paths, where the good way is, and walk in it; then you will find rest for your souls’” (Jer. 6:16).

·                   Valley Gate, v13.  This gate apparently emptied into the upper part of the Valley of Hinnom and may have been a path to high places for idol worship.  “The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit, a broken and a contrite heart – These, O God, You will not despise” (Ps. 51:17).

·                   Dung Gate, v14.  The trash was taken out this gate to the dump on the side of the Hinnom Valley, “where their worm does not die, and the fire is not quenched” (Mk. 9:48).  “Let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God” (2 Cor. 7:1).

·                   Fountain Gate, v15.  A natural spring (perhaps the Gihon) was nearby, and the King’s Pool.  “He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water” (Jn. 7:38).

·                   Water Gate, v26.  Through this gate was brought water for the temple.  Christ loves the Church “that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word” (Eph. 5:26).

·                   Horse Gate, v28.  The King’s horses were brought in and out here (2 Ki. 11:16; 2 Chron. 23:15).  Let us remember that we are engaged in a great battle under our Commander, He who is “faithful and true” and who will someday return to earth, riding out of Heaven on a mighty white horse (Rev. 19:11).

·                   East Gate, 29.  This gate, on the east side of the temple, is the one through which the Messiah will enter upon His return to earth (Ezek. 43:2).

·                   Miphkad Gate, v31.  The word means “to review or appoint for judgment.”  “For He is coming to judge the earth, with righteousness He shall judge the world, and the peoples with equity” (Ps. 98:9).

·                   Sheep Gate, v32.  And then we come back to the cross.  Always!

In order, top to bottom, today’s Damascus Gate, Dung Gate, Herod Gate, Jaffa Gate, Lion Gate, New Gate, Zion Gate and Eastern Gate.