March 31: THE SHEEP GATE

Now there is in Jerusalem by the sheep gate a pool, which is called in Hebrew Bethesda, having five porticoes. (John 5:2 NAU)

The Sheep Gate is legendary. This is the gate through which the shepherds of old would bring their various flocks inside the city walls at night for protection from wild animals and thieves. In parts of the world, shepherds still follow this practice today.

 

As the shepherds and their flocks approach the city gates, there appears to be one gigantic, confusing mass of sheep. But as the shepherds begin to call out in each distinctive voice to their particular sheep, the sheep begin to follow their own shepherd.

 

John 10 is our favorite story of Jesus as the Great Shepherd leading, watching over, and protecting His flock—even with His own life.

David, the author of Psalm 23, himself a shepherd, and the son of a shepherd, later to be known as the “Shepherd King” of Israel, stated explicitly, “The Lord is my Shepherd.” To whom did he refer? He referred to Jehovah, the Lord God of Israel.

His statement was confirmed by Jesus the Christ. When He was God incarnate amongst men, He declared emphatically, “I am the good Shepherd.” But who was this Christ? Our view of Him is often too small—too cramped—too provincial—too human. And because it is, we feel unwilling to allow Him to have authority or control—much less outright ownership of our lives. —W. Phillip Keller, A Shepherd Looks at Psalm 23 (Minneapolis, Minnesota: World Wide Publications, 1970), 15-16.

"I tell you the truth, the man who does not enter the sheep pen by the gate, but climbs in by some other way, is a thief and a robber. The man who enters by the gate is the shepherd of his sheep. (John 10:1-5 NIV)

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March 29: THE HORSE GATE

Above the Horse Gate the priests carried out repairs, each in front of his house. (Nehemiah 3:28 NAU)

The Horse Gate is identified by historians with the Guard Gate. This gate was associated with the prison. This was also from whence the palace guard kept watch over the king and other leaders of Israel. They were the Secret Service of ancient Israel. It was their job to make sure the King and his officials were safe from enemy intrusion.

I want to highlight some of the ways we are instructed to protect and care for our leaders.

PRAYING FOR OUR LEADERS

I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone—for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. (1 Timothy 2:1-2 NIV)

SUBMITTING TO OUR LEADERS

The Apostle Paul, living under one of the cruelest of the Roman Caesars, taught us the value of respecting and submitting to our civic authorities. If Paul thought it important to submit to rulers like Nero and his successors, how much more should we submit to our leaders, even when we don’t agree with their position.

Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. (Romans 13:1 NIV)

TRUSTING IN OUR LEADERS THROUGH GOD

If we find ourselves under the care of a spiritual leader who is not being sensitive to God, there are guidelines given in the Pastoral Epistles to deal with such a leader. Even then, it must be done with a gentleness and humility. Too often, a haughty attitude on the part of the exhorter destroys any good which could come from attempting to correct a brother or sister. We tend to forget the process of correction is to be redemptive not destructive.

Submit yourselves for the Lord's sake to every authority instituted among men: (1 Peter 2:13 NIV)

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March 28: THE WATER GATE

This was the gate of which I spoke in an earlier blog. This gate was used for watering the animals. Here all the herdsmen and shepherds came together with their herds and flocks mingled together as their caretakers and owners brought water for them to drink. The interaction of those who jockeyed for the best positions in order to care for their animals with the least amount of work provided a genuine opportunity to observe human character at work. Conflicts were frequent and often violent.

 

At the Water Gate we develop our attitudes toward one another. The following passage is Jesus’ very pointed illustration of what our attitudes need to be.

For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.' "Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?' The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.' Then he will say to those on his left, 'Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.' They also will answer, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?' He will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.' (Matthew 25:35-45 NIV)

There are several categories of people Jesus spoke to us about in this passage. He is concerned about our attitude toward each of these—no exception. They are, Jesus tells us, a measure of our love for Him.

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March 27: THE MANASSEH GATE

Manasseh, according to both Easton’s and Fausset’s Bible Dictionary, means one who causes to forget. Manasseh was thus named as Joseph’s statement that he was forgetting those hard years leading up to his position as prime minister of Egypt.

 

Although Manasseh’s younger brother, Ephraim, received the birthright blessing from his grandfather, Jacob, Manasseh was still remembered among the tribes of Israel. And Manasseh is listed among the ones sealed in Revelation 7:6. Moreover, he was rightly named, since he had to learn what to forget and what to remember after his disappointing blessing from his grandfather.

 

Life consists of an endless list of events and circumstances which fall into two categories, those things we need to forget and those we must remember. The Apostle Paul makes a challenge to the Philippians to forget those things which were behind them. But Jeremiah encourages us to seek out the old paths. So, how do we determine what to remember and what to forget?

 

The key to this question can be found in focusing on the reason for our remembering and our forgetting. If we remember in order to keep an offense against us ever-conscious, we are heading for difficulty. If we forget because we find remembering too unpleasant, once more we are not sailing toward calm waters.

But, if we remember in order to keep the promises and provisions of God ever before us, we have chosen wisely. If we forget because remembering brings no healing or peace, then we, in most situations, are being wise.

Croft Pentz gives an important insight to the subject of forgetting. He states, “A retentive memory is often a good thing, but the ability to forget can be a token of greatness.” Pentz continues, “It would be nice if we could forget our troubles like we forget our blessings.” —Croft M. Pentz, The Complete Book of Zingers (Wheaton: Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., 1990).

Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 3:13-14) [See also vs. 8-10]

 

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March 26: THE EPHRAIM GATE

So the people went out and brought them and made booths for themselves, each on his roof, and in their courts and in the courts of the house of God, and in the square at the Water Gate and in the square at the Gate of Ephraim. (Nehemiah 8:16 NAU)

This gate is about trading beauty for ashes. It is a reminder that where we should have received ashes (the singular form of Ephraim), instead, we received beauty and a double portion. Don’t forget, Ephraim, the younger sibling, received the double portion normally reserved for the oldest son. His father and brother found it quite unnerving when Ephraim’s grandfather, Jacob, pronounced the double portion for him instead of his older brother.

The Creator of the Universe chose to be born in a stable, so we who could do nothing for ourselves might enjoy the splendor and riches of the New Jerusalem. We deserve nothing; we receive a double portion.

The One who owns it all gave up everything, so we who had nothing could inherit the treasures of Heaven. What a glorious truth for us to try to wrap our minds around.

Who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, ⁷but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. ⁸And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. (Philippians 2:6-8 NKJV)

The One who was adorned in Deity took on the humble garments of humanity, so we might exchange our filthy rags for robes of righteousness.

The sinless Son of God became sin so we, who had no righteousness, might receive the righteousness that comes from God himself.

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March 25: THE GARBAGE GATE

So I went out at night by the Valley Gate in the direction of the Dragon's Well and on to the Refuse Gate, inspecting the walls of Jerusalem which were broken down and its gates which were consumed by fire.(Nehemiah 2:13 NAU)

This gate was used to dispose of the garbage and waste of day-to-day living. It was the passage by which the inhabitants of ancient Jerusalem were able to rid themselves of those byproducts of the essentials of life—those leftovers and remains of living. If they were to be negligent in this essential task, the dangers to their health and safety would become quickly evident.

So, out of this gate would go bones, left-over food, body-waste, dead animals—anything which might contaminate those who came in contact with it. Though it was a distasteful, unpleasant, even smelly job, it had to be done. Otherwise, the health of the city was threatened. No one likes to take out the trash. But it has to be done.

Thomas Traherne gives an important perspective on the value of our thought process "As nothing is more easy than to think, so nothing is more difficult than to think well." We must guard the words we speak to others. Should we fail to guard this gate, what comes out is anything but healthy or edifying.

Burning lips and a wicked heart are like a potsherd covered with silver dross. (Proverb 26:23 KJV)

We love to repeat the old proverb (certainly not Biblical), "Sticks and stones may break my bones; but words can never harm me." We all know that statement is not true. Just reflect back on the last time someone said something unkind about you or spread an untruth concerning you. So much for, "words can never harm me."

And, as the Golden Rule reminds us, the feelings we have regarding the things we personally experience will likely very much resemble the feelings and responses of those we injure. If untruth bruises my spirit, it will hurt those I would slander just as much. If an unkind word toward me causes me to draw back from a friendship; my friends most likely feel the same about me when I choose unkind words.

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March 24: THE VALLEY GATE

Moreover, Uzziah built towers in Jerusalem at the Corner Gate and at the Valley Gate and at the corner buttress and fortified them. (2 Chronicles 26:9 NAU)

The Valley Gate was located along the southeast section of the wall of Jerusalem. By its name we can understand that it was at one of the lower points of elevation of the city. This made the relative safety of that position quite vulnerable. They were unable to clearly see the enemy approaching. They received little warning of attacks and were not able to defend themselves adequately when the enemy did come. This position, therefore, was one of the most vulnerable gates of the city.

Therefore, those entering and exiting the Valley Gate were dependent on watchmen at other locations to warn them of pending danger—both in opening the gate to those approaching and in allowing citizens to exit the city through this gate.

It is because of this vulnerability that particular attention must be paid to the valleys of our life. It is at these times of emotional low we are most susceptible to the attacks of the enemy. It is also at these points we must be ready to depend on the support of others to help us defend against these unexpected intrusions. Therefore, we must guard our hearts during these times of vulnerability.

We are especially vulnerable when we experience disappointment, discouragement, and despair. We often find our energy level depleted, our focus blurred, and our defenses fallen to the dust. Things which normally would be as easily deflected as water from the feathers of a duck, we now find ourselves in intense struggle to resist.

Sometimes short-lived; sometimes long-lasting; sometimes so strong we are utterly overwhelmed by it; sometimes it is nothing more than a lingering sadness. We call it grief.

Grief is the process of dealing with change. It may be planned or unplanned, welcome or unwelcome. Change almost always includes both loss and gain. Just as surely as we grieve the loss, we must embrace the gain. And grief is more than our response to death. Grief occurs with disappointment, discouragement, even the accomplishment of a goal. Often the gain which comes from change is much less obvious until later—sometimes much later. And I must caution you, talking about grief almost always brings our own personal grief to the surface.

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. (Psalm 23:4 NAU)

Especially at times of grief, we must guard our heart. For it is at times of such deep emotion we are most vulnerable. We find ourselves entertaining thoughts we normally would have quickly dispelled. While we find our energy focused on our grieving, we must not allow ourselves to let down our guard, to remove the watchman from the wall, thus allowing thoughts, feelings, or intentions to slip in unnoticed and unchecked.

This is a time of recognizing, in an especially clear way, the need for calling on others to intervene for us, to watch our gates for us, so that we do not fall prey to the enemies of our soul.

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March 22: THE FOUNTAIN GATE

Shallum the son of Col-hozeh, the official of the district of Mizpah, repaired the Fountain Gate. He built it, covered it and hung its doors with its bolts and its bars, and the wall of the Pool of Shelah at the king's garden as far as the steps that descend from the city of David. (Nehemiah 3:15 NAU)

Located on the southern portion of the Eastern wall, this gate was the source of fresh water for the city. It was here that we would find people coming to supply their homes with water for drinking and cooking. There was another gate, located just to the north of this gate, which was used for watering animals. But at the Fountain Gate, pure, fresh water could be drawn to restore the weary worker and traveler. Here, one found a place of rest and restoration.

 

Water is a mainstay of life. Without water we cannot live. We know that a person can go days, even weeks, without food. But we cannot live very long (most experts say three days) without water. So it is with our spiritual journey here on earth. We can exist without a lot of the things we think we need for living a successful life. But we cannot live long at all without the One who is the very Source of Life.

 

C.S. Lewis explains it this way:

 

What Satan put into the heads of our remote ancestors was the idea that they could "be like gods"—could set up on their own as if they had created themselves—be their own masters—invent some sort of happiness for themselves outside God, apart from God.

 

And out of that hopeless attempt has come nearly all we call human history—money, poverty, ambition, war, prostitution, classes, empires, slavery—the long terrible story of man trying to find something other than God which will make him happy.

The fear of the LORD is a fountain of life, turning a man from the snares of death. (Proverb 14:27 NIV)

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March 21: REASSEMBLING THE GATES

In our efforts to rebuild our spiritual Jerusalem, once we have rebuilt the altar, restored the temple, and reassembled the walls, we are finally ready to focus on the gates.

 

Gates, in ancient days, were for protecting the citizens, keeping the good inside and the evil outside. They were a place for congregating and a place where leaders came to conduct business. They were a place where decisions were made, where transactions occurred, where covenants were sealed.

Gates refer to the access points to a stronghold. When a city provides gates, it is to monitor who goes in and out of the city. In the case of our lives, gates refer to our decision-making, those places in our life we allow or deny access into the vulnerable areas of our innermost person.

"Now as for you, son of man, I have appointed you a watchman for the house of Israel; so you will hear a message from My mouth and give them warning from Me. (Ezekiel 33:7 NAU)

Before the gates could be rehung along the walls of ancient Jerusalem, they had to be reassembled. The gates had been brutally damaged and burned during the Babylonian invasion. There would be little purpose of watchmen on the walls if the gates could not keep out the enemy or prevent citizens from sneaking out of the city.

For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but divinely powerful for the destruction of fortresses. We are destroying speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ, (2 Corinthians 10:3-5 NAU)

Therefore, we must concentrate on making decisions regarding what comes in and goes out of our lives; we must place watchmen over the city to warn of those attempting to sneak in or out. In the next several days, we will look at the various gates of our spiritual city and determine the manner in which we must guard each gate.

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March 20: REBUILDING THE WALLS

“Moreover, I will make your battlements of rubies, And your gates of crystal, And your entire wall of precious stones. All your sons will be taught of the LORD; And the well-being of your sons will be great.” (Isaiah 54:12-13 NAU)

 

The Great Wall of China has successfully protected her from not only her enemies but from outside cultures for literally centuries. Not until the globalization of transportation and communication of the twenty-first century has China begun to interact with the rest of the world. Walls have worked quite successfully for China. Some would say they have worked too well. They have kept China deeply merged in a culture which is distinct from the rest of the world. Only in recent years has she begun to emerge from this isolation.

 

Since I grew up on the farm, many of my illustrations come from observing life as it unfolds there. Fences, on the farm, are just as much for keeping the cattle or chickens in as they for keeping the predators out. The reality is that there is far more danger of the animals becoming injured or lost by leaving the pasture than there is of something coming into the pasture to harm them.

 

God’s walls or hedges, as Job called them, are as much for keeping us in as they are for keeping others out. We, like sheep and cattle, are prone to wandering, straying away from the flock. When we do, we often get in trouble. I could tell many stories of farm animals who decided to explore the world outside the pasture. Many of those stories end in tragedy for the animal.

 

It certainly is no different for us. When we choose to stray outside god’s boundaries for our lives, we pay dearly for our rebellion. We need those walls and fences to keep us where God wants us and to keep the enemies from destroying us.

 

Moreover, why do we think, as fellow sheep in the Great Shepherd’s flock, it is none of our concern when we see a wolf coming after one of the flock? We are prone to take the attitude of Cain, in Genesis. “Am I my brother’s keeper?” The short answer is “yes”—at the very least to the extent of caring enough to alert the Shepherd of the danger we see.

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