The Dung Gate Series

“The Dung Gate Message 7”

The Spiritual Application of the Gates

Nehemiah 3:13-14 Monte T. Brown

September 7, 2014 Sunday Morning

Stapp Zoe Baptist

Prelude

Each day that passes, we see more and more of the Word of God unveiling before us.

In light of the events unfolding in the Middle East and the fact that we are living in end times I see it is important that we understand the importance of the Promise Land and that city called “The City of God.”

“The City of God” is Jerusalem and it has been in the headlines of history for thousands of years.

Part of the uniqueness of this city is the wall that surrounds the city. Within the wall are the gates that outline the premature of the city.

Each one of these gate sends us a message that applies to us today.

The book of Nehemiah list ten of the twelve gates that needed repaired.

I would like us to look at all twelve gates and gleam insight from each of these gates.

Each one of the gates is unique and gives us a specific message about our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Because of the awesome power of God and His holy scriptures turn to Nehemiah 3:13-14 and please stand in honor of the Word of God and follow along with me as I read from God’s anointed Word.

Scripture

The valley gate repaired Han’un, and the inhabitants of Za-no’ah; they built it, and set up the doors thereof, the locks thereof, and the bars thereof, and a thousand cubits on the wall unto the dung gate.

But the dung gate repaired Mal-chi’ah the son of Re’chab, the ruler of part of Beth-hac’ce-rem; he built it, and set up the doors thereof, the locks thereof, and the bars thereof.

Nehemiah 3:13-14 (KJV)

Prayer

Introduction

“The Dung Gate” is the seventh gate in our series of messages regarding the twelve gates of Jerusalem.

“The Dung Gate” its name at first can seem repulsive until one understands the importance of the gate.

“The Dung Gate” has a powerful message for all. It represents the need for cleansing physically and spiritually.

The naming of this gate had to do with the removal of rubbish from the city or cleansed the city from defilement.

Out of respect for the holiness of the city, rubbish was never allowed to accumulate.

It was removed through “The Dung Gate” allow the city to be kept clean and holy.

We could all benefit from knowing and using “The Dung Gate” in our lives.

Where all Filth Goes

“The Dung Gate” is Where all Filth Goes, it is the smallest of all the gates. It has the lowest archway.

It is located in the Old City Wall. It faces south in the direction of the Valley of Hinnom, known as Gahanna or Hell.

Gahanna was the city dump which burned twenty four seven, it was full of worms and stitch.

Gahanna was a picture of Hell, which is but a small picture of the reality of Hell.

The city of Jerusalem during the holy days would see upwards of 15,000 sheep sacrificed and have an extra 125,000 guest in the city. This alone would produce an astronomical amount of waste.

“The Dung Gate” was where all the city waste was carried out of such as garbage, dead bodies, the remnants of hundreds of thousands of sacrificial offerings, and human waste.

Valley of Hinnom, known as Gahanna or Hell represents the final resting place of those that reject the Son of God.

Washes all Filth Away

The Son of God, Jesus Christ is the only one that can wash all the filth away.

“The Dung Gate” faces the Pool of Shiloach; this was the pool that Jesus sent the blind man to wash his eyes in John 9:7.

Through this act of washing, the man’s affliction was removed.

The waters of this pool were used by the High Priest to immerse himself in the pool in Temple times for purification.

During Rosh Hashanah (The Ten Days of repentance leading up to Yom Kippur) Jews crowd around this water source to recite Tashich which has to do with casting way sins.

In the ceremony some follow the practice of shaking out one’s pockets and the folds in their clothing three times to symbolize the heart’s intention to cast away sin and be completely cleansed. Nehemiah 5:13

Sometimes bread is cast upon the waters representing their sins so they can see them taken away.

All of these practices were foreshadows of the one who could truly wash away all of our sins.

Removal of that which Hinders

Sometimes we allow things to enter into our lives and rob us of the joy of worshipping God almighty.

Anything that comes between you and God becomes a false God.