Nehemiah 3
Building Gates (continued)
Strong moral gates with locks are vital for Christian homes in order to control what enters from and is taken out into the world. Having considered last month the first of the ten gates the sheep gate we continue on in chapter 3.
(2) The Fish Gate—Verse 3
The second gate mentioned is the fish gate. When calling Peter and Andrew, the Lord Jesus said, “Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men” (Matt. 4:1919And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men. (Matthew 4:19)). How often we find the gospel mentioned in Philippians, which gives the pattern for normal Christianity. Sharing the gospel with the lost ought to be a habitual part of life in Christian homes. The precious old, old story of Jesus and His love should be a normal daily part of family joy and conversation.
A brother once recounted an incident that happened in the town where he lived. One day, standing outside the home of a family well-known in the community as Christians, he overheard two children talking. As they walked by, one turned to the other and said, “That’s the house where they talk about Jesus.” May the fish gate characterize our homes a place that “talks about Jesus.”
(3) The Old Gate—Verse 6
The world’s moral standards and philosophies constantly change as its culture is built on the “shifting sand” of currently popular opinions. When life’s storms come (as they will in every home), the materials used to build quickly fail, crushed by the violence and flood of uncontrollable difficulties.
Standards of morality considered normal and desirable today were, a mere twenty years ago, viewed as socially inappropriate, unacceptable conduct. Society “tolerates” and “celebrates” moral behavior that God calls “abomination,” considering such wickedness as being acceptable “alternative lifestyles.”
In Christianity things are no better. The precious, unchanging truths of God’s Word are twisted, rewritten or thrown aside (2 Peter 3:1616As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction. (2 Peter 3:16)) all to satisfy the whims of man’s unregenerate religious heart. The spirit of apostasy (see Jude) is already working in the Christian profession.
The old gate must be constantly used in order to never give up or dilute the precious, unchanging truth of God’s living Word. Using it allows the family to enjoy blessing which comes only from walking in “the good way” according to the “old paths.”
Be careful of “modern language” translations of the Bible which attempt to make God’s Word “more understandable.” The result may be a diluting of divine truth. Teach children to appreciate “old,” reliable translations that God has blessed over hundreds of years. Make difficult words found in them an opportunity to explain “more perfectly” God’s truth.
“Thus saith the Lord, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls” (Jer. 6:1616Thus saith the Lord, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls. But they said, We will not walk therein. (Jeremiah 6:16)).
(4) The Valley Gate—Verse 13
Society is built on the principle of pride self-seeking and self-importance. From their earliest years, children are encouraged to put “self” forward to be “proud” of themselves, their efforts and achievements. “Humanism” teaches that “self” is all important. Pride drives man’s efforts to “be all you can be” (a military slogan), to “reach for the stars” (an entertainment slogan), and to become a “self-made man or woman” (a business slogan). God’s Word tells us that “the fear of the Lord is to hate... pride.”
Children that are allowed to view themselves as the “center” of the world will, when grown, be a trial to all. How much sorrow marriages, families and assemblies experience because personal pride has been tolerated and even encouraged in childhood!
Children should never need to question their parents’ individual love, appreciation or value of them—more importantly, God’s love for them. But teaching them humility is vital to their happiness. See that the “valley gate” built into your home is strong and secure. “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” (Isa. 57:1515For 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. (Isaiah 57:15)).
(5) The Dung Gate—Verse 14
This gate was no doubt used specially for carrying out that which was undesirable and defiling. Moral defilement can easily be contracted in the world and enter the home almost unnoticed. There must be a “gate” through which these harmful, corrupting influences are cast off (Rom. 13:1212The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light. (Romans 13:12)).
During the famine in Samaria (2 Kings 6:2525And there was a great famine in Samaria: and, behold, they besieged it, until an ass's head was sold for fourscore pieces of silver, and the fourth part of a cab of dove's dung for five pieces of silver. (2 Kings 6:25)), the “head of an ass” and a small measure of “dove’s dung” sold for a very great price. In the terrible spiritual and moral famine today a great price is set on foolishness (the “ass’s” head) and filth (“dove’s dung”). Western culture is saturated with and eagerly feeds on such wickedness. Parents must have a secure “dung gate” so that this spirit with its attitudes, conduct, conversation or other undesirable behavior can be daily discarded.
Homes that are to truly experience the “days of heaven upon the earth” (Deut. 11:2121That your days may be multiplied, and the days of your children, in the land which the Lord sware unto your fathers to give them, as the days of heaven upon the earth. (Deuteronomy 11:21)) must be kept pure. But, Dad and Mom, make sure that you have first cut off the undesirable or impure in your own lives if you expect to see them cut off from your children. For example, if you watch soap operas or feed on similar godless entertainment, don’t be surprised when your children develop the same appetite for such moral corruption.
Ed.