The Spiritual Meaning of the Gates of Jerusalem

The Sheep Gate Neh. 3:1 And *Eliashib the high priest rose up with his brothers the priests. And they built the Sheep Gate. They sanctified it and set up its doors. Even to the Tower of Meah they sanctified it, to the Tower of Hananeel.

In scripture, there are instances in which some issues in the Old Covenant have spiritual meanings in New Covenant. In Nehemiah chapter 3, we find examples of this. The gates of Jerusalem have a very clear spiritual meaning. 

The Sheep Gate is the first gate mentioned in Nehemiah. The building of the wall and gates begins from the Sheep Gate in Nehemiah 3, because everything begins from the offering of the Lamb (Jesus Christ).The spiritual meaning of the Sheep Gate is that the high priest built it, and that through that gate, lambs and sheep were brought to the temple for sacrifice. (Note that the sheep gate had no locks or bars, for the door of salvation is open to everyone. This was the only gate sanctified, setting it apart as a special gate.)

Jesus Christ is the High Priest of the New Covenant, who is the Lamb, who was offered for the sake of our sins. As the spiritual high priest, Jesus set up doors of the Sheep Gate, which means that He is the Door of the sheep. To receive salvation and, therefore enter God's kingdom, a man must enter through the blood of the Lamb (Jesus Christ).   (John 10:7 Then said Jesus to them again, Truly, truly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep. American King James Version)

*It is very significant that Eliashib in Hebrew means 'God restores.' It is not an accident that, as high priest, he rebuilt  the Sheep Gate and the walls surrounding it.  

The Fish Gate Neh 3: 3 But the fish gate did the sons of Hassenaah build, who also laid the beams thereof, and set up the doors thereof, the locks thereof, and the bars thereof.

 
The significance here is that fishermen brought in through this gate fish to sell in the market. The spiritual meaning of the Fish Gate is  that after our redemption we begin to follow him,  making us, his disciples, 'fishers of men'. In other words, preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ. (Matthew 4:19 And he said to them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.)

The Old Gate Neh 3:6 Moreover the old gate repaired Jehoiada the son of Paseah, and Meshullam the son of Besodeiah; they laid the beams thereof, and set up the doors thereof, and the locks thereof, and the bars thereof.

 When we pass through the Old Gate, which spiritually speaking, we die out to the old man. Jesus Christ does not repair the old man, but makes a new man through the regeneration in the Holy Spirit. (Titus 3:5 Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Spirit)

Scripture teaches that the Holy Spirit leads us in righteousness,  killing the deeds of our flesh. The Old Gate represents that the old 'us' must die, because the new 'us' has been reborn. The Holy Spirit gives to the believer the power to resist temptation and choose God's righteousness instead of sin. Without the death of the flesh, a believer cannot truly follow God's will. This is grace at work, and by it we have ability to walk and live according to the will of God.

The Valley Gate Neh 3:13 The valley gate repaired Hanun, and the inhabitants of Zanoah; 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.

The Valley Gate represents the  journeys of Jesus' disciples.

{Gen. 26:19 And Isaac’s servants digged in the valley, and found there a well of springing water.

Deut. 8:7 For the LORD your God brings you into a good land, a land of brooks of water, of fountains and depths that spring out of valleys and hills;
Psalm 23:4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff they comfort me.
Ezek. 3:22 And the hand of the LORD was there upon me; and he said unto me, Arise, go forth into the plain, and I will there talk with you.}

We, as Jesus' disciples, must understand the bringing of our flesh under subjection so that we can begin our journey with God. Genesis 26:19 tells us that by digging in the valley, Isaac's servants found a well of springing water. The purpose of digging was to find water and, spiritually, we are to dig deeper than the outer surface to find what God has in store for us.

The Dung Gate Neh 3:14 But the dung gate repaired Malchiah the son of Rechab, the ruler of part of Bethhaccerem; he built it, and set up the doors thereof, the locks thereof, and the bars thereof;

While the Valley Gate represents the realization of the flesh brought under subjection, the Dung Gate represents how we put it into practice. Through the Dung Gate, refuse was taken out of Jerusalem, to the valley of Hinnom, where it was burnt. In the same way that trash would not have been left to stink up the city, so must sin be taken out the heart of believer and destroyed. 

Under the Old Covenant, the burnt offerings of animals represents the subjection of the flesh in the New Covenant. These were animals, cut in pieces, and then burnt. The offering animals inward parts and feet were washed with pure water. This teaches us that dying out to self is a process; we subdue the flesh 'piece by piece', as the offering was also burnt in pieces. The inward parts and feet, which were washed with pure water, represents the renewing of our minds, and difference in our actions.

The Fountain Gate Neh 3:15 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. 

The Fountain Gate, located near the pool of Siloah (Siloam), is where water flowed. The pool of Siloam is the place where Jesus said to the blind man to wash, John 7:9. At the time of Nehemiah and afterward, many washed themselves before they entered to temple area. The representation of the Fountain Gate tells us that God,  through the Holy Spirit, is our source for healing and spiritually cleanliness.

The Water Gate Neh 3:26 Moreover the Nethinims dwelt in Ophel, unto the place over against the water gate toward the east, and the tower that lieth out.

In the Old Testament, water  represented the Holy Spirit. The spiritual meaning of the Water Gate is living an obedient life guided by the Holy Spirit. Whereas the Fountain Gate represents being bathed, or baptized, by the Holy Spirit, the Water Gate represents ingesting it, so that it lives inside of us.

The Horse Gate Neh 3:28 From above the horse gate repaired the priests, every one over against his house.

The Horse Gate was located next to the horse stables. Horses were used in the wars against enemies. The spiritual meaning of the Horse Gate is spiritual warfare: Eph 6:12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

The East Gate Neh 3:29 After them repaired Zadok the son of Immer over against his house. After him repaired also Shemaiah the son of Shechaniah, the keeper of the east gate.

The Eastern Gate was where freewill offerings were given by the king, to be distibuted to the people by the keeper of the gate.

{ 2 Chronicles 35:7-8 And Josiah gave to the people, of the flock, lambs and kids, all for the passover offerings, for all that were present, to the number of thirty thousand, and three thousand bullocks: these were of the king's substance. And his princes gave willingly unto the people, to the priests, and to the Levites: Hilkiah and Zechariah and Jehiel, rulers of the house of God, gave unto the priests for the passover offerings two thousand and six hundred small cattle, and three hundred oxen.
2 Chronicles 31:14 And Kore the son of Imnah the Levite, the porter toward the east, was over the freewill offerings of God, to distribute the oblations of the LORD, and the most holy things.}

The spiritual meaning of the East Gate is that, once we become established in God, we are to share our blessings with others.



 The Gate Miphkad (aka The Inspection Gate)Neh 3:31 After him repaired Malchiah the goldsmith’s son unto the place of the Nethinims, and of the merchants, over against the gate Miphkad, and to the going up of the corner.

Miphkad means numbering, as in a census,  and an appointed place. The Gate Miphkad is the gate through which we must pass when we die.

Psalm 39:4 LORD, make me to know my end, and the measure of my days, what it is: that I may know how frail I am.

Hebrews 9:27 And as it is appointed to men once to die, but after this the judgment.

 The Order of the Gates

The order of the gates is a clear order of growth in the faith. The description in the book Nehemiah about repairing the wall and the gates starts at the Sheep Gate and ends at the Sheep Gate (Neh 3:32.) Everything begins with our redemption in Jesus Christ and ends with it, because it is foundation of our salvation. 

Notice that the city of Jerusalem in Nehemiah's time was roughly shaped like a footprint. If we successfully pass through each of these gates, then when our life is finished, we should have completed a journey that has left a footprint for God on the world.

 

The Seven Steps to Jesus

from Matthew 14:24-33 

1. Recognize you’re in a storm. (v.24)

2. Ask Him to bid you, and He will say “Come.” (v.28)

3. TAKE THE STEP (v.29)

4. Do not be afraid, and do not doubt. (v.30)

5. But, if you falter, He will take you by the hand, and lead you to safety. (v. 31)

6. The storm will cease. (v. 32)

7. You will see Him for who He is. (v.33)

Mary~The Honorable

Mary was called ‘highly favored’, the Lord was with her, and ‘blessed’ among women by the angel. That was how God saw her. However, her people would not see her that way. She was young, poor, female, and unmarried, and could have been stoned to death for being with child.

How many of us are willing to do what God asks when that job will cause most people to view us in the negative, or even cast us out, even though God has seen us as honorable in order to have given us the job in the first place?

Mary was the only human being to go with Jesus from birth to death, and beyond. When she said ‘be it unto me according to your will’, she accepted the honorable position of physically carrying the son of God. (Luke 1:28, 30, 48)

How many of us have been asked to carry the son of God? The answer? ALL of us that have asked Him to be our personal savior. Mary was chosen to carry Him physically, but we are chosen to carry Him spiritually. Like Mary, God bestows on us an honor-one that we should not turn away through disobedience.

By the time Jesus was a grown man, Mary knew He was no ordinary man. At the wedding, she asked Jesus to miraculously restock the wine. Even though He says His ‘hour is not yet come’, He honored His mother’s request. (John 2:3-5)

As time goes on, we will better understand our purpose and His will. By the time Jesus has matured in us, we will be able to ask Him for a miracle even if the occasion doesn’t necessarily warrant it.

When Mary desired to speak to Jesus, He used that opportunity to show the relationship with His spiritual family. Here He puts the emphasis on His disciples, the ones who were following Him . (Matthew 12:46-50)

As we mature in Christ, we will begin to see past our physical family and friends to the spiritual relationship we have with ALL believers.

When Mary watched her son dying on the cross, He made a point of telling her to look at Him. (John 19:25-27) If there was ANY question in her mind about who or what He was, it was made clear at that moment.

That is the way for all of us-when we see Jesus truly for why He came, then there is no question in our minds as to who He is.

Mary was among the group of people waiting for the spirit to come down on the day of Pentecost . (Acts 1:14)

If we nurture Jesus within us-from conception to the cross, then we must pray and supplicate for the receiving of the Holy Spirit. It is in the Spirit that we share Him with others, as well complete the journey, as Mary did, from the beginning to the end.

Rachel~The Beloved

How hard would it be to share your husband with someone else? Namely, your sister, whom your father betrothed to him in your place? How would it make you feel if she continually bore him sons, while you had no children to give him, in a culture where children were regarded as your wealth?

Genesis 29:6-9

When Jacob met Rachel she was bringing the sheep to the well to be watered. She was their keeper, taking care of the sheep for her father.

How many of us, as Christians, are responsible for the well-being, safety and growth of other Christians? Do we do what is called of us willingly and responsibly?

Genesis 29:25

Rachel became Jacob's wife, but only after he had been tricked by her father into marrying her older sister first.

How many times have traditions and ceremony stood in the way of a Godly union?

Genesis 29:31

Even though Jacob loved Rachel, he still fulfilled his husbandly obligation to Leah. Out of this union came four sons, but Rachel was still childless. Because Leah was hated in Jacob's eyes, the Lord gave her children, but not Rachel.

Can we justify our love for someone by hating another? The answer is 'NO'-hate is wrong in the eyes of God, even if it seems right to us.

Genesis 30:22-24

When Rachel finally conceived, many years had passed since she and Jacob were married. God had taken away her reproach-or in today's terminology-her shame.

Has God moved you into a place where you're fully qualified, yet someone else who does not have the training hold the position? When God moves us into another position in life, and we're fully trained and ready, He might postpone our responsibility to give someone else the chance who will not have any other glory in their life.

Genesis 31:14-16

All scriptural accounts show Rachel and Leah envious and jealous toward one another, in competition. But when Jacob decides to leave his father-in-law, to go back to his home country, they are in full agreement and supportive of his decision.

Even though we might disagree with one another over what seems important issues, such as doctrine and procedure, can we put those aside to do what needs to be done for the greater good?

Genesis 31:19

Rachel stole the images that belonged to her father.

{The word images here translates to the word 'teraphim' in Hebrew, which were graven images set up in houses to represent the gods they worshiped. In stealing these, Rachel repaid her father for stealing her husband and giving him to Leah, as well as their inheritance that he withheld from both of them. (v.14-16)}

How many of us, for spite, would do something against someone who had wronged us, instead of forgiving them and moving on with our life? When our life is changing for the better, we should not drag into it any baggage from the past, because it will do nothing but weigh us down.

Genesis 31:30-32

When Laban accuses Jacob of stealing his gods, he denies it because he has no knowledge of what Rachel has done. He speaks out a prophecy of death to perpetrator, and later it is fulfilled when Rachel dies in childbirth. (35:18)

How many of us think that we have to have some worldly influence in our marriage to prove a spouse's love, instead of relying on the evidence of the past? (In Rachel's case, it had been 20 years since she and Jacob had met, and he had resided with her the whole of their married life. Surely that was enough to prove his love.) Is there anything in our life that is there 'just for show", to prove to others our love to one another? Or does the evidence come from the heart and actions of the past?



Rebekah~The Informed

How many of us are in a position to have God speak to us about His plan concerning those around us, and do what is necessary to see it come to pass?

Genesis 24:12-26

Rebekah was the answer to a prayer, as well as the object of a mission. (v.4) When asked for water, she was instinctively hospitable, not only to the servant, but also to his camels.

How many of us, in our innocence and day-to-day activities, are the answer to someone else's prayer? Something that seems ordinary in our daily life might be the blessing someone else is looking for.

Genesis 24:56-59

She did not procrastinate in doing what was asked of her, even though others tried to hinder the mission. (v.55)

Genesis 25:22-23

During her pregnancy, when problems seemed to develop, Rebekah asked of God, and He gave her the answer: two very different boys (that would become the father of nations) were growing inside her.

How many of us are in a position to have God reveal His plan to us in the early stages of development?

Genesis 27:4-8

Rebekah made sure that Jacob received the blessing of his father.

{There is no evidence in scripture that Isaac was ever spoken to by God concerning his sons. He favored Esau because he was a 'man's man', a man of the world. Had he known of God's prophecy (25:23) would he have shown Esau any love? Rebekah, having the foreknowledge of God (after all, it was she that God spoke to about the twins, not Isaac) favored Jacob.}

If we have privileged (God-given) information~information that no one else has~are we not bound by the nature of the revelation to see that it comes to pass? Could it be that it is a test for us to see if we have listened to God from the beginning?

Genesis 27:41-46

It was told to Rebekah that Esau planned to kill Jacob as soon as his father died. But she foresaw the solution, and presented the proposal (sending Jacob to her kin to find a wife) to Isaac in such a way that he would never know what Esau had planned.

Again, Rebekah takes the initiative to see that God's plan comes to pass. When God gives us a work to do-and in that critical moment when the enemy would step in and try to take control-are we able to carry it out to the end? And, can we carry out that work when those around us, who play an important role, have not been told anything? Do we keep the prophecy in our hearts, as Rebekah did, ready to act when the opportunity is there, because of favoritism (or any other factor) toward others shown by those that are close to us?

I would encourage all to take God's revelations seriously~you might be the only one He shares it with.....only to carry it out years later at the most critical moment when only your knowledge would make the difference in the outcome of a situation.