SCRIPTURE: NEHEMIAH 3
BUILDERS OF THE WALL (vs. 1-32)
THE 10 GATES BEING REBUILT:
- Sheep Gat
- Fish Gate
- Old Gate
- Valley Gate
- Dung Gate
- Fountain Gate
- Water Gate
- Horse Gate
- East Gate
- Inspection Gate
All the men who repaired the above territories were being listed and recorded.
THOUGHTS:
The spiritual leaders organized and directed the work. They noted each worker and put their names in the book. Each one has a specified area of responsibility. And the people cooperated in doing the work. Variety of workers include the priest, rulers, women, craftsmen and the Jews from other cities.
THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THE 10 GATES:
- Sheep Gate – Sheep reminds us of sacrificial lamb that relates to the sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the cross. This is a special gate with no lock or bars. It is the door of salvation open to the sinner.
- Fish Gate – It signifies soul wining – to be fishers of men.
- Old Gate – speaks of the old path and the basic truths of the Word of God.
- Valley Gate – Valley is a low part which reminds us of humility before the Lord. Christ descended from the glories in heaven to the valley of human earth and even unto death.
- Dung Gate – A gate where waste and refuse of the city were being dumped. It speaks of the cleansing of our lives.
- Fountain Gate – it illustrates the ministry of the Holy Spirit.
- Water Gate – speaks of the Word of God which cleanses believers. This falls under the 7th which is the Bible number for perfection.
- Horse Gate – Horse signifies warfare. There are battles in the Christian life which we must be ready to fight.
- East Gate – reminds us of the second coming of Jesus Christ. The prophet saw God’s glory departed from the temple by the east gate and later, he saw God’s glory returned from the way of the east.
- Inspection Gate – speaks of God’s judgment. One day God is going to call all souls up for judgment.
The ten gates suggest a full picture of Christian life from Sheep gate (salvation) to Inspection gate (final judgment).