The Fountain Gate Series

“The Fountain Gate Message 8”

The Spiritual Application of the Gates

Nehemiah 3:15 Monte T. Brown

September 7, 2014 Sunday Evening

Stapp Zoe Baptist

Prelude

The Meaning

“The Fountain Gate” is located at the Southern end of the Old Wall.

It is not far from the Spring of Siloah (Siloam), the Kings Pool, and the Kings Garden. Nehemiah 2:14; 3:15; 12:37

The Kings Garden is the burial place for the kings. 2 Kings 21:18, 26

Each gate points to what is located near it to point us toward its inheritance.

Some scholars believe it is named for the fountain Gi’hon which is called “The Fountain of Yaweh, The Fountain of Israel, The Fountain of Life, The Fountain of The Steps.”

In Nehemiah Chapter one, when he heard that the wall of Jerusalem was broken down and its gates were burned, he wept in repentance with fasting and prayer asking God to remember His covenant promises to Israel and to restore the city.

In Nehemiah’s mind the restoration of the wall meant the restoration of the city and its inheritance, along with redeeming it from defilement and sin brought by the enemy. Nehemiah 1:4-11; 2:14, 17

Speaking of a future time Zechariah foretells of “The Fountain Gate” as a sign of restoration, “On that day there shall be a fountain opened to the house of David and the inhabitance of Jerusalem for sin and for uncleanness.” Zechariah 13:1

Nehemiah went by night to observe the broken down condition of the walls and gates of Jerusalem.

He then moved directly to “The Fountain Gate.” Nehemiah 2:14

It is time to move to “The Fountain Gate” to seek God for the restoration of His covenant promises to restore Israel. It is time to pray for the Holy Land to become Holy again.

Scripture

But the gate of the fountain repaired Shallun the son of Colhozeh, the ruler of part of Mizpah; he built it, and covered it, and set up the doors thereof, the locks thereof, and the bars thereof, and the wall of the pool of Siloah by the king's garden, and unto the stairs that go down from the city of David. Nehemiah 3:15 (KJV)

Prayer

Application of “The Fountain Gate”:

Scripture uses “The Fountain Gate” and the Pool Siloah or Shiloam to point to the Messianic blessing of the Holy Spirit’s work in the life of the believer.

This application is seen in the Feast of Tabernacles in a special ceremony called the rite of “The Water-drawing.”

Jewish tradition states that this ceremony took place each of the 7 days of the Feast.

This ceremony is the setting of what Jesus says; “On the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying,

‘If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of water.’

But this He spoke concerning the Spirit, whom those believing in Him would receive.” John 7:37-39

Water-drawing ceremony described:

At the break of the day during the Feast of Tabernacles the priests processed from the temple to the pool of Siloam (through “The Fountain Gate” area).

They filled a golden pitcher with water and bore it back to the temple.

Three joyous trumpet blasts were given as they entered the courts related to Isaiah 12:3 “with joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation.”

The Priests proceeded around the altar with the water from the pool of Siloam while the choir sang. Psalms 118

This ceremony took place at the time of the daily drink offering of wine so the water was offered to God with the wine.

A Priest mounted the altar on which stood two silver bowls, one for the wine and the other for the water.

When the priest had poured the wine and the water into the bowls, they were then poured out together as offerings to God.

The wine and the water were united. (This may point to the blood mixed with water that flowed from Jesus’ side on the cross).

At this moment when the offerings were poured out, the crowd called out, “Lift up your hand” showing the ceremony was fulfilled properly.

The priest then raised his hand in agreement.

This ceremony was connected in thought to the water that came from the rock smitten by Moses in the desert which gave life to the people who were in danger of dying of thirst. Exodus 17:1-6

It is believed that at the moment the priest raised his hand to conclude the ceremony, then Jesus stood up at that solemn moment and made the announcement, “If anyone thirst, let him come to Me and drink. He who believes in Me, as the scripture has said, out of his belly will flow rivers (fountains) of living water...” John 7:27-39