Upheld Through Ancient Gates

Gates

Gates are fascinating. In my limited travels, when I see a gate that takes my fancy I just have to take a picture of it. What are the stories behind these gates? Who lives there? What do they do? What kind of family do they come from—large or small? Are they rich, or moderate or poor?  If they live in a gated community, why is that? Do they wield power over others? Do they fall in love?

I’m planning to post a series of “Gates” blogs for the next few weeks. It is not a Bible Study; just  a series of posts for reflection. A lot of “gates” are broken in our lives, perhaps we can look at how to rebuild some of them.

A few years ago, I was part of a Bible Study concerning the broken walls (and gates) at ancient Jerusalem. The story is found in the Old Testament Bible Book of Nehemiah. It recounts Nehemiah’s grief over a conquered people still enduring taunts and oppression; missing gates at intersections, and broken walls of Jerusalem. Finally, the overcoming victory as all was restored!

Nehemiah News

Plenty of studies have been done about Nehemiah and the rebuilding of the walls and gates in Jerusalem. To reiterate, I am not doing a study here, but it might help to know that when Nehemiah hears of the ruins, he grieves and prays. The Persian king inquires of his sadness, Nehemiah takes a risk, counting the cost of possibly losing his life, to tell the king about the wall. Nehemiah was the king’s cup bearer; the one who made sure the king’s food and drink was not poisoned. I imagine there must have been a close relationship because of the hazards that Nehemiah might encounter to keep the king safe. This was a common practice even through the Middle Ages.

The long and short of it is that the king sends Nehemiah to rebuild the walls and hang the gates in Jerusalem.

Ancient Gates

And while Nehemiah and the Jews story is fascinating, the ten gates particularly caught my attention. Each Jerusalem Gate has something for us to consider. I thought we might take some time to figuratively walk through the gates in our own lives. The city, at the time of Nehemiah, was shaped like a right footprint. Starting with the Sheep Gate, located about where the little toe is positioned, we’ll follow the old city walls around the footprint, down to the heel and back up the outside of the foot.

I am not a Bible scholar, but learning about the gates with the footprint map was fun for me. Now, as we “walk through” the gates together, I hope we can feel the essence of history, mystery and spiritual overtones. What about the broken gates in our own lives and what would it take to mend them? What about the next gate that beckons us? Will we have the courage to try out new things that might be on the other side of those gates?

For Consideration

And above it all, there is One who oversees us. As a result, what kind of people will we be?

“O Lord, I pray, please let Your ear be attentive to the prayer of Your servant, and to the prayer of Your servants who desire to fear Your name; and let Your servant prosper this day, I pray, and grant him mercy in the sight of this man. For I was the king’s cup bearer” Nehemiah 1:11.