Gates…

 

Gates….

I have always enjoyed Nehemiah…I like how he narrated this piece of his life…the gates and who did what…on he surface it seems like a daily diary…but, he prayed long and hard, short and sweet, about what he did and what to say…seeking wisdom along the way…how to speak to the king, how to build, how to speak to the people, how to organize…everything…just a reminder that God is there all the time, a word away…and that he gives answers, wisdom in whatever we ask or seek..

In chapter 3 he talks about 10 gates and who did what…

He starts with the Sheep Gate…the priests rebuilt this one…a reminder that our spiritual leaders take the initiative to lead the way…

  Therefore he had to be made like his brothers in every respect, so that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

Heb.2.17,Heb.4.14-16

Not only was it the Priest’s gate to build…Jesus was the Lamb of God…the priests  brought the sacrificial lambs through this gate to the temple…

And not only that…Jesus called himself the door of the sheep and the good shepherd…

 The next day he saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!

John.1.29

 So Jesus again said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep. All who came before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them. I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.

John.10.7,John.10.8,John.10.11

And much more…So much symbolism…love it…

Okay , let’s go to the Fish gate…

The fish market was apparently close to this gate, hence fish gate…one commentator wrote that the merchants from Tyre, the Sea of Galilee, and other fishing areas came through gate to sell their fish…so fresh water and salt water fish…there are 18 types of native fish in the Sea of Galilee…tilapia being the best known…

Some of Jesus’ disciples were fishermen…he called them to be fishers of men…

 While walking by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon (who is called Peter) and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea, for they were fishermen. And he said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.” Immediately they left their nets and followed him. And going on from there he saw two other brothers, James the son of Zebedee and John his brother, in the boat with Zebedee their father, mending their nets, and he called them. Immediately they left the boat and their father and followed him.

Matt.4.18-22

Jesus fed multitudes with a few fish…

He told the disciples to cast for fish and they got so many , they could hardly bring them in..,

He fed the disciples fish …

 

It is really  interesting about the gates and lots is written about them…

The chapter starts and ends with the Sheep gate…our priority…worship, the Shepherd,  the Lamb of God…

  “I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, “who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.”

Rev.1.8

Thank YOU…

Lamb of God…

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2QGNUDsQ6fI&list=RD2QGNUDsQ6fI&start_radio=1

https://jesusplusnothing.com/series/post/nehem3

https://fishingandfish.com/what-kind-of-fish-are-in-the-sea-of-galille/

https://jesusplusnothing.com/series/post/

https://firmisrael.org/learn/gates-old-city-jerusalem-meaning/

and there is a lot more!!!