“Open the gates of righteousness to me; I will enter through them. I will give thanks to the Lord. This is the gate of the Lord; the righteous will enter through it. I will give thanks to You, for You have answered me, and You have become my salvation.” Ps 118:19-21
The Hebrew sha’ar meaning gate, contains the idea of splitting open or breaking through. Samson’s feat of removing the gates of Gaza meant that he had removed the security of the city and left it vulnerable to attack (Jud 16:3). This was also Nehemiah’s concern when he heard that the walls of Jerusalem were broken down and the gates burnt with fire (Neh 1:3). The physical neglect is also a reflection of the spiritual state of the nation (Lam 2:9).
In a walled city, the gate was the means of controlling who entered or left the city, and as such the gatekeepers had the responsibility of maintaining the security of the people and ensuring that justice and business were carried out correctly (Is 28:6, Ezek 38:10-12).Law Courts
The gates of the city were the law courts in the ancient world (Dt 21:19). Kings sat there to administer justice (1 Kg 22:10, 2 Sam 19:8). In a city of refuge, the innocent killer would state his case at the gates then find safety from the avenger of blood (Josh 20:4).
The Lord is very concerned that justice is carried out by those who govern the people and those who judge in the law courts. Justice brings peace and security for the people (Zech 8:16). Truth, righteousness, mercy and justice are the foundation of God’s throne and He wants human government to reflect this (Ps 89:14). The gates of our current cities are the chambers where the laws are passed in the government. The law courts are empowered to decide cases and make judgements. The police ensure the law is kept and the jails are meant to keep society safe from serious offenders. There is currently a swathe of ungodly laws in our nation, threatening the rights of preachers to preach the true gospel, Christian schools to teach biblical truth, doctors to save the lives of the unborn and counsellors to assist the gender confused. The gatekeepers must be alert, warning, praying and holding the line for God’s righteousness.
Gates of the City
The gates often opened out into a square, which was the market place of the ancient world (2 Kg 7:1) and as such also the social meeting place of the city, the place of assembly (Neh 8:3), and the business centre (Gen 23:10,18), as well as the courts of law (Ruth 4:1-12, Gen chapter 23). The gatekeepers were witnessing all the life of the city—the market trade, the legal transactions, the business and the city meetings.
“If we are silent in the face of evil, and cower in fear, we are in fact complicit in the crime and God will not be pleased (Ezek 33:1-11). Take courage, we have a mantle of spiritual authority and our voice matters. The enemy must retreat when the ekklesia comes together in unity and takes a stand.”
The ekklesia (church) has a responsibility not only for the spiritual aspects of city life, but also for the management of the affairs of the city. This means connecting with our local councillors and members of parliament. A good place to start is to read a local paper or the council news updates. We must also be aware of what is being taught in our schools and practised in our local area.
Gates of the Temple
Gatekeepers are more frequently mentioned in connection with the temple than the city. Initially, 212 gatekeepers were appointed by the king and the prophet (1 Chron 9:22) with their specific duty chosen by lot (1 Chron 26:13-16). Their duties were firstly to guard the ark (1 Chron 15:23), the entrances, and the storehouses at the gates to the temple (1 Chron 9:23-27, Neh 12:25). Secondly, they ensured the sacredness of the building and helped in the purification and worship services (Neh 12:45).
Thirdly, they collected the temple taxes (2 Kg 22:4, 23:4) and the freewill offerings, and were responsible for distributing the offerings (2 Chron 31:14).
As gatekeepers for Israel, we need to be praying for Israel to be a holy nation, not bowing to the world’s standards or ways. Pray for the Word of God to be taught accurately and the tithes/taxes of the people used justly. Pray for policies of death, such as abortion, to be changed and for sexual purity to be promoted.
Making Tel Aviv the gay capital of the world is not on God’s agenda and neither is having the Lord share His house with other gods! Pray for godliness in morality and accountability and transparency in government and business. Pray for the rabbis to walk in integrity. When the priesthood is defiled, the city will also fall.
Guarding
The gates usually had guard rooms attached, were often strengthened with towers (2 Chron 26:9) and were shut at night (Neh 7:3). Gatekeepers need to be willing to take on night watches in prayer as the Lord requires. Guards had to be on duty at night, not only in the daytime.
They could refuse entry for anyone suspicious or with bad intentions. Wickedness however, usually uses the darkness for cover. Spiritual gatekeepers need to be alert to what is happening at the gates of their city (government, lawcourts, borders, international business deals) and appeal to the Lord in the courts of Heaven if ungodly things try to enter.
Possessing the Gates
God promised Abraham that his seed would possess the gate of their enemies (Gen 22:16-17). The ekklesia is promised that the gates of hell shall not prevail against it (Matt 16:18). Israel is surrounded by enemies that want to break down her gates and steal her inheritance.
Gatekeepers are to guard the holy purposes of God and ensure that the enemy does not steal what rightfully belongs to the Lord. If it has been stolen, it is our duty to claim it back and restore it for the Lord. Gatekeeping is a priestly and responsible task. We must stand for justice, and not allow corruption to flourish.
The ministry of the watchmen and gatekeepers, may mean prophetically speaking out publicly a word God gives us. Prophets often went to the gates of the city (or the Temple) to deliver their messages to kings and to the people (1 Kg 22:10, Jer 17:19-20, Prov 8:1-3, Jer 7:2). If we are silent in the face of evil, and cower in fear, we are in fact complicit in the crime and God will not be pleased (Ezek 33:1-11). Take courage, we have a mantle of spiritual authority and our voice matters. The enemy must retreat when the ekklesia comes together in unity and takes a stand.
There are currently 24-hour worshipping gatekeepers keeping watch around Jerusalem with the aim of bringing pleasure to God’s heart, to prepare the way for His glory to fall, and to guard the holy purposes of God (through intercession and spiritual warfare) against those who would try to plunder God’s inheritance in His people. This also extends out to countries and cities joined in 24/7 worship houses around the globe. God is raising up a global ekklesia. When Yeshua reigns, Jerusalem’s gates will remain open forever (Is 60:11, Rev 21:25-26). What a lovely picture of peace and security.
This article is part of a series adapted from a forthcoming daily devotional on prayer ‘The many Facets of Prayer’ by this author.
0 Comments