Series: Biblical Cities- Jerusalem [#15]
JERUSALEM- REBUILDING THE GATES (PART 1)
Matthew 23:37
Introduction:
We are continuing in our Series about some of the most mentioned Cities in the Bible. Tonight, we are going to study the city that is 1st on the list- Jerusalem. Jerusalem is mentioned 811 times in the Bible. Currently, there are 3 different Religions that consider Jerusalem to be a holy site- Judaism, Islam, and Christianity.
Matthew 23:37
We studied last week how the 2nd Temple was built. Last week, we studied how Nehemiah rebuilt the walls around Jerusalem and tonight, we are going to study how Nehemiah rebuilt and replaced the gates around Jerusalem. It is important to know that the people worked on the gates that were close to their homes. As they built these gates, they had enemies that did everything they could to stop their progress. It got so bad, that they had to work with their weapons ready to fight.
Nehemiah 3:1
1. The Sheep Gate.
The Sheep Gate was…
* The most important gate around the city because it was where the sheep used for the sacrifices were brought.
The Sheep Gate was…
* This gate was rebuilt by the High Priest and Priests.
The Sheep Gate had no bolts or locks. This is the only gate that was dedicated. The Sheep Gate was set apart- It is a Holy Gate. The Sheep Gate is Jesus and His sacrifice on the cross.
Nehemiah 3:3
2. The Fish Gate.
The fishermen from Galilee brought their catch through this gate to be sold. We need to see that after we are saved there should be a desire to share Jesus with others. Jesus tells us that He calls us to fish for people.
If we are going to fish for people…
* We must have good equipment.
* We must use the right bait.
If we are going to lead people to Jesus Christ, we must present the right bait to them. In today’s society, there are many types of bait that we see being used.
The World’s bait:
^ Entertainment.
^ Bribery.
^ Guilt.
^ Fear.
^ Promise of an easy road.
We must never allow ourselves to get caught up in the thinking that there is another way. The only bait we better be using is God’s Word that reveals to us that Jesus Christ is the only way.
If we are going to fish for people…
* We must have time and patience.
* We must be where they are.
Who will God use as fishers of men? Jesus said, “Follow Me, and I will teach you how to catch People”. Jesus uses the called person, the cleansed people, the courageous person, and the concerned person.
Nehemiah 3:6
3. The Old Gate.
The Old Gate is where…
* Decisions are made.
At the Old Gate, the Elders of the City would meet to discuss matters of community importance and make judgments on disputes.
The Old Gate is where…
* Refugees were safe.
Especially at Cities of Refuge, a person could find safety while their case was handled.
The Old Gate is where…
* People are grown stronger.
The Old Gate was where Boaz went to redeem Ruth as her kinsman. Ruth was a foreigner without a husband and Boaz paid the price for her life so that she would live her life as his wife. As a Jewish husband, he was responsible not only for the physical welfare of his wife but also of her spiritual welfare. He was to lead and teach her the ways of the Lord.
Nehemiah 3:13
4. The Valley Gate.
On this map you will notice that there is a long distance between the Old Gate and the Valley Gate. For a new Christian, the Lord allows a time that He teaches, builds strength, and increases our faith. God’s presence seems so strong. This can go on for some time as indicated by the positioning of the Old and Valley gates; but sooner or later the Valley Gate must come.
The Valley Gate is where…
* You experience growth.
If you go to the top of a mountain, you generally find stony ground that is barren. It is down in the valley where one finds fertile ground. Our spiritual life is no different. We all love to be on those spiritual mountaintops; but it is when we are walking through the valleys that we grow.
The Valley Gate is where…
* You escape the fires of Hell.
The Valley Gate led to 2 main valleys that defined Jerusalem geographically and historically. 1st, the Hinnom Valley separated Mount Zion from the Hill of Evil Counsel and the "plain of Rephaim" to the south. Solomon erected high places for the idol god called Molech in this valley to whom children were sacrificed by fire. King Josiah made the valley "ceremonially unclean" by spreading human bones over it and from then on it became the garbage dump of the city. Because of its ceremonial defilement and its history of human sacrifice by fire, this valley came to be called "Ge Hinnom" or "Gehenna" which is the name used for hell itself, the Lake of Fire.
The Valley Gate is where…
* You learn patience and dependence upon the Lord.
The 2nd valley was called the Kidron Valley, which means "dim, dusky, and gloomy". It was across this valley that Jesus walked to go to the Garden of Gethsemane before He was arrested and crucified. For many it was known as “the valley of the shadow of death”. That gives us a new meaning for Psalms 23:4 when David said, "Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me."
Conclusion:
We will continue to study the Gates around Jerusalem and the application of those gates in our lives.
