A Man of Progress – the Place

At this time, Jerusalem was the centre of God’s testimony - He had placed His name there. This was indicated by the Lord in Moses’ day and acknowledged by Solomon when the temple was dedicated.¹

Our present dispensation was preceded by the words of the Lord Jesus, ‘the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth’, John 4. 23. He established the principle that ‘where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them’, Matt. 18. 20. Lessons can be drawn by comparing the significant features of Jerusalem that were rebuilt or repaired to the centre of testimony today - God’s assembly.

The walls marked a line of separation, but the gates granted reception to the city. Doors, some with added security, were necessary for the regulation of the gates. Towers enabled supervision of activity around the city. On a spiritual level, the same applies today.²

More may be gleaned by considering other features of the city, but this study focuses on Nehemiah’s survey of ten gates mentioned on his anticlockwise journey round Jerusalem, starting at the north, Neh. 3.

Sheep gate, v. 1

Near the temple, this was first on Nehemiah’s report, indicating its importance. It provided a way to bring sacrifices, including the daily offering of lambs.³ This gate and the portions of wall and towers linked to it were ceremonially sanctified, setting it apart in the eyes of the people. Everyone needed to know its purpose for the gate to be used appropriately.

Thank God that a way into His presence has been opened for us by our Lord, ‘the way’, John 14. 6. ‘A new and living way’ has been ‘consecrated for us’, and ‘having an high priest over the house of God’, we are encouraged to draw near, Heb. 10. 20-22. Each believer is part of a holy priesthood whose service is ‘to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ’, 1 Pet. 2. 5.

Do we readily respond to God’s invitation to draw near? When it comes to worship, is our approach God’s way, and are our lives marked by holiness?

Fish gate, v. 3

According to the law, fish having fins and scales could be eaten.⁴ This gate, allowing in such supplies, was rebuilt, the door being doubly secured with locks and bars. Had they been used when the men of Tyre offered their wares on the sabbath, it would not have presented a problem, Neh. 13. 15-22.

In the New Testament, fishers of fish learned to be ‘fishers of men’, Mark 1. 17. As the gospel net was cast in Acts chapter 2, those who received the word were baptized, and, being added to the local church, ‘continued stedfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers’, v. 42. This set a pattern for those being received into a local assembly. In respect of salvation, it is wonderful to know that those who have come God’s way benefit from the double security of being within the hand of the Lord Jesus, and that of the Father, John 10. 28, 29. In respect of the local assembly, care is needed to see that those brought into the assembly have truly entered by ‘the door’, John 10. 1, 2; Acts 20. 28-30.

The growth of God’s assembly is linked to the preaching of the gospel. As James and John took time to mend their nets, Mark 1. 19, careful preparation is needed to ensure that we are preaching the gospel soundly.

Old gate, v. 6

Instead of removing this damaged gate, significant repairs were performed.

In the New Testament, we find ‘old’ things that are removed or replaced.⁵However, there are others that should be retained.⁶ Therefore, old ways, traditions, need to be carefully considered, and removed or repaired where necessary.

Three times traditions are seen negatively:

• The Pharisees held to traditions of men and disregarded the word of God, Matt. 15. 2-6; Mark 7. 5-13.
• Paul was ‘exceedingly zealous of the traditions of my fathers’ -steeped in religion, Gal. 1. 14.
• Traditions of men can spoil a believer’s enjoyment in Christ, Col. 2. 8.

However, three times traditions are seen positively:

• Paul praised the Corinthians for the ‘ordinances’ (paradosis -same Gk. word) they kept, 1 Cor. 11. 2. Note, however, that in this section of the Epistle dealing with the gatherings of God’s people, some repairs were needed. Paul addressed: headship, vv. 3-16; conduct at the Lord’s supper, vv. 17-34; and the proper use of spiritual gift, chh. 12-14.
• The Thessalonians were encouraged to ‘stand fast, and hold the traditions which ye have been taught, whether by word, or our epistle’, 2 Thes. 2. 15. The apostles’ doctrine is still important.
• They were also to ‘withdraw … from every brother that walketh disorderly, and not after the tradition which he received of us’, 2 Thess. 3. 6.

This gate teaches us that some ‘old paths’ must be retained.⁷

Valley gate, v. 13

Uzziah built towers at certain points, including the ‘valley gate’ to strengthen the defences, 2 Chr. 26. 9, likely named after the valley of Hinnom to which it opened on the west, Josh. 15. 8. The valley moved south to merge with the Kidron that came round the east of the city - a humble outlook, not having the prospect of the gates near the temple.

There are some aspects to the testimony for God that are not glorious to experience. But the lows are needed as well as the highs for true faith to be tested. For those passing through the valley gate, let us remember that the God of the hills is also the God of the valleys, 1 Kgs. 20. We can also take encouragement from Isaiah chapter 57 verse 15, ‘thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones’.

Dung gate, v. 14

Located at the southern tip of the city, this was evidently used for waste disposal. This may have included the remains of a previous day’s sacrifice, things removed from animals in preparation for sacrifice, and anything else that did not belong in the city.

Is the dung gate in use today? It prompts us all to be fresh in spiritual service. It is also a reminder that some things have no place in God’s assembly. Ephesians chapter 5 verses 3 to 5 notes a list of evils that should ‘not be once named among you, as becometh saints’, and 1 Corinthians chapter 5 teaches that the leaven of moral sin must be put out.

Fountain gate, v. 15

At an earlier time, Hezekiah saw that the approach of Sennacherib threatened a siege. In preparation, he brought a supply of water inside the city.⁸ It flowed from the Gihon springs through a conduit to the pool of Siloah - ‘Siloam, (which is by interpretation, Sent.)’, John 9. 7. Repairs to this gate and wall ensured the security of this supply. The ‘king’s garden’ likely owed its fruit to this fountain and reservoir.

Believers, too, have a hidden source. As the man of John chapter 9 returned from the pool seeing, so our spiritual eyes are enlightened by the free supply of the Spirit. While all believers are indwelt by the Holy Spirit, the local testimony, too, ought to be a place where spiritual refreshment is freely available. Watered by the Spirit, ‘God’s husbandry [cultivated field, garden]’ will prosper with spiritual fruit, 1 Cor. 3. 9.

Water gate, v. 26

Water was used for washing and drinking and therefore essential for cleanliness and to sustain life. The scriptures were later read from near this gate, Neh. 8. This is fitting since water is compared to the word -‘that he might sanctify and cleanse it [the church] with the washing of water by the word’, Eph. 5. 26. Apollos, ‘an eloquent man, and mighty in the scriptures’, Acts 18. 24, is said to have ‘watered’ what Paul had planted, 1 Cor. 3. 6.

The wall linked to it was repaired, but notably, the water gate itself required none. The word of God is infallible, but its truth must be upheld in God’s assembly today, 1 Tim. 3. 15.

Horse gate, v. 28

Here we see a partial fulfilment of Jeremiah’s prophecy. He said the city would be built ‘unto the corner of the horse gate toward the east … holy unto the Lord; it shall not be plucked up, nor thrown down any more’, Jer. 31. 40. Nehemiah’s day saw its restoration, but the true fulfilment of this prophecy remains for a future day. In scripture, horses are often linked with battle.⁹Psalm 24 verse 7 describes a welcome fitting for our Lord, the victor, ‘Lift up your heads, O ye gates; and be ye lift up, ye everlasting doors; and the King of glory shall come in’. What a contrast to His entrance upon a colt!¹⁰

May God’s people be found overcoming the things that He has conquered - sin, death, the world, the devil - and longing for His return and final victory.

East gate, v. 29

Repairs to this gate are not mentioned, but Shemaiah was its keeper (watchman). Presently the gate is sealed - a cemetery at its door - but this will not prevent our Lord’s return. Ezekiel saw the glory of the Lord departing from the east gate, but it is also the place to which His glory will return.¹¹

May we, like Shemaiah (‘heard by Jehovah’), be heard of the Lord echoing, ‘Even so, come, Lord Jesus’, Rev. 22. 20.

Miphkad/Inspection gate, v. 31¹²

Next to ‘the place of the Nethinims, and of the merchants’, this gate was probably where people or produce were assembled or arranged for inspection.

Let us be mindful of and motivated by the forthcoming assessment of our service at the Judgment Seat of Christ, 2 Cor. 5. 9, 10.

Summary

Thus, the work of the wall and gates progressed. So may God’s testimony be furthered in our day, for His name’s sake.