There are two things that are noteworthy in this process:
(1) The willingness of the people to cooperate and work,
(2) Their follow through and immediate involvement.
Nehemiah did not have a difficult job of recruiting workers and builders, or did not have to convince and cajole, or shame the people into working with him. God had prepared their hearts and He had specially anointed Nehemiah for this mammoth task. Nehemiah being led by God set each worker to the task of rebuilding whatever part of the wall was nearest to his own house. This provided an opportunity for each worker to have personal stake in the work.
The rest of Chapter 3 is the story of the ten gates of the city Jerusalem. As we read through this chapter we find the names of these gates, and each gate has a specific symbolic significance. We can draw an important practical lesson from each gate.
1. The Sheep Gate (3:1-2) - This is the gate through which the sheep were brought into the city to be sacrificed at the altar. This signifies the Lamb of God, whose blood was shed on the cross for the sin of all mankind. The cross is always the starting place for personal strength. We cannot save ourselves. God provided the way of salvation through the cross. Only the Lamb of God, slain for us, can save us. The cross, the sheep gate, is the starting place, the source of our strength for the task of rebuilding.
2. The Fish Gate (3:3-5) – The Fish gate suggests the Christian’s witness. Our precious Lord Jesus said: “Come, follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men.” (Mark 1:17) Has that gate broken down in your life? If so, this gate and the surrounding wall need to be rebuilt and restored, for the Lord Jesus tells us that every Christian is to be a witness for Him.
3. The Jeshanah (Old) Gate (3:6-12) – This gate represents truth. In many Christian lives this gate is broken down, and they are no longer resting upon God’s truth. Truth is always old, settled, unmovable, unshakeable, and eternal: old things provide the base upon which everything new must rest. God’s truth never changes. In our churches and our individual lives, we must rebuild the Old Gate of truth.
4. The Valley Gate (3:13-14) – The symbolism of this gate is the place of humility and lowliness of mind. Throughout Scripture, God says that he opposes the proud but He gives grace to the humble. When ego and pride dominate our lives, our Valley Gate is broken down and in need of immediate repair and rebuilding. Our goal should be to have a humble opinion of ourselves and an exalted opinion of God. He has to have the highest place!
5. The Dung Gate (3:14) – This was a gate facing south; it represents the importance of dealing with the filth and refuse of life. We need to discard everything from our lives that is offensive to God. Do we keep our bad habits and sins and expect God to bless us? We have to have a place of quick exit to everything that stunts and prevents our growth and hinders our relationship with God.
6. The Fountain Gate (3:15) – The name of this gate reminds us of the words of our Lord to the Samaritan woman at well (John 4:14). The fountain speaks of the Holy Spirit, which is the river of life in us, enabling us to obey His will and His Word.
7. The Water Gate (3:26) – Water is always a symbol of God’s Word. This gate did not to be repaired. It was the only part of the wall still standing. This is significant and not coincidental that the Word of God never breaks down. It does not need to be repaired. It simply needs to be re-inhabited.
8. The East Gate (3:28-29) – This faced the rising sun and is the gate of hope. It is the gate of anticipation of the coming day when all the trials of life and the struggles of earth will end, when the glorious new sun will rise on the new day of God. This gate needs to be rebuilt by all of who fall under the pessimistic spirit of this age and are crushed under the burden and the helplessness of our time.
9. The Horse Gate (3:28-29) – The horse in Scripture is associated with warfare or, in this case, the need to do battle against the forces of darkness. Life is a battle and each of us are in this war for the duration. We read in Ephesians 6:12 “For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.”
10. The Inspection Gate (3:31) – This was the place of where judgment was conducted. We need to stop and conduct a thorough self-inspection. We need to ask God to remove all that is offensive to Him in our lives, sins bad habits. Then we will be able to strengthen the protective walls of our souls.
It is truly amazing that Nehemiah brings us back to the Sheep Gate in verse 32, back to the gate of the cross. The cross must be at the beginning and end of every life. Through these beautiful symbolic gates, the book of Nehemiah has shown us how to rebuild the walls of our lives.
Memory Verses:
“But the LORD said to me: “Do not say, ‘I am a youth,’ for you shall go to all to whom I send you, and whatever I command you, you shall speak. Do not be afraid of their faces, for I am with you to deliver you,” says the LORD.” Jeremiah 1:7, 8
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Rev. Dr. Mihran G. Kupeyan
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
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