Proverbs 8:34, “Blessed is the man (or woman) who listens to me, watching daily at my gates, waiting at the posts of my doors.”

I have always loved unique gates and doors. When visiting Israel on a number of occasions I was captivated by its gates. I have pictures of all the gates of Jerusalem in my photo album.

In Bible times the gates of the city were more than an entrance way. They were the busiest place in the city. They were a hub of activity. It was here that the elders sat to rule and direct the affairs of the city.  It was here the judges and officers judged the daily matters of the people. It was at the gates the soldiers stood sentinel to guard and protect the city. It was here the people gathered to hear the prophets proclaim the Word of the Lord. Just inside the gates the markets flourished.

But where were the women? They were not in the city gates. They stood sentinel at the gates of their home, watching and guarding against any intrusion of the enemy. They used their God-given authority as mothers to direct the affairs of their home. The men were the city gate-keepers but the women were the home gate-keepers. This is still God’s principle for us today. As mothers, we are to be gate-builders, gate-guarders, gate-protectors and gate-repairers.

In the book of Nehemiah it tells us how Nehemiah heard that Jerusalem was in ruins – the walls were broken down and the gates were burned with fire. He was devastated. He prayed and fasted and God opened up the way for him to go back to his city and help rebuild the walls and gates. In Nehemiah chapter three it mentions all the gates that they repaired. There are only eight gates in the walls of the old city of Jerusalem today but in Nehemiah’s day there were twelve gates, just as there are twelve gates in the heavenly Jerusalem. (Revelation 21:10-13, 21)

As we look at these gates in Nehemiah chapter three, we will relate them to our home. Will you check with me to see if these gates are in good repair? Or could they do with a little repairing? The first one is:

THE SHEEP GATE (Nehemiah 3:1)

The Sheep Gate was so named because this was the gate through which they brought the sheep to be slaughtered for the sacrifices. It speaks to us of our great salvation and the blood of Jesus Christ that was shed for our sins. Jesus was “the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.” (John 1:29)

Nehemiah had a plan in building and repairing the gates. He started at the sheep gate and continued anti-clockwise around the walls of the city. He started at the right place. We all have to start at this gate. This gate is the foundation on which we build our lives and home, the foundation of Jesus Christ and His out-poured blood. Jesus is also called the door to the sheepfold. We have to come through this door or gate first. (John 10:9)

It is most important to honor the blood of Jesus Christ in our homes. We must teach our children that they cannot have salvation without the blood. We must lead our children to the cross and pray that each one will experience an encounter with Christ and receive forgiveness of sins through His blood.  Hebrews 9:22 says, “Unless blood is shed, there can be no remission of sins.” (Knox)

At the first Passover, God told the Israelites to take “a lamb for a house” which had to be killed and the blood applied to the top and both sides of the door. The firstborn of all the Egyptians died but all those under the blood were safe. We know that every individual must receive salvation but in this story we see the principle of “a lamb for a house.” If you have someone in your family who is not saved, keep praying and claim this promise of “a lamb for a house.” (Exodus 12:3) God’s desire is that the whole family be saved and under the blood. (Read Acts 11:14; 16:15; 30-34; 18:8)

The sheep gate was the only gate they sanctified. Sanctification makes us holy. As we ourselves and our children come to the cross daily and experience the power of the blood of Christ to cleanse us from sin, we will walk in more of God’s sanctifying power of holiness in our homes.

Love from NANCY CAMPBELL

AFFIRMATION:

PRAYER:

“Oh Lord, help me to never forget your blood that was poured out for me. Help me to realize that this is the most important gate to build in my home. I claim the promise “a lamb for a house” and pray that everyone in my home will experience the victorious power and cleansing of the blood of Jesus in their lives. Amen.”