2. Background - Nehemiah
• Nehemiah was part of the people(Jews) that was taken captive by
the Babylonians when they conquered Judah.
• He became the cup-bearer to the King (Artaxerxes).
• He was responsible for the preparation and safety of everything the
king drank.
• It was a very responsible position and taken very seriously.
• He became a trusted friend and advisor to the king despite being an
“inherited captive Jew”
3. Why must the wall be rebuilt?
• The city of Jerusalem was in ruins as they were destroyed by
the Babylonians.
• When Nehemiah enquired by Hanani about the surviving Jews
who had escaped exile, he learned that the remnant there are in
great trouble and reproach(express disappointment in their
actions) AND that the walls of Jerusalem is broken down and its
gates are destroyed – Neh 1:2-3.
• Nehemiah immediately wept and mourned for days. He sought
God’s face, repented on behalf of his forefathers, prayed,
fasted, quoted scripture back to God – Neh 1: 4-11.
• He heard about the ruins of the wall in the month of
Kislev(December) and received favor from the King in the
month of Nisan(March), he prayed for days…months! TIMING
was important!
5. Prophetic Foresight = 10 Gates
• There were 10 gates of the wall. Each
representing a significant for the believer.
• The gate starts with the Sheep Gate, Neh 3:1
and also ends with a description of the Sheep
Gate, Neh 3:32.
6. Gate 1 & 11
The Gate The Gate Significance The Personal Significance
1. Sheep Gate
Nehemiah 3:1&32
The very first gate mentioned and it is
also the last mentioned gate in Nehem
3. It was called the sheep gate
because this was the gate which the
sheep and lambs used in the sacrifice
were bought through.
This is the realisation that Yeshua was the Lamb of
God that takes away the sins of the world. This gate
speaks to us about the cross and the sacrifice that was
made for our sins. It is the starting point of everything
as well as the end = signifying Yeshua is the beginning
and the end.
7. Gate 2
The Gate The Gate Significance The Personal Significance
2. Fish Gate
Nehemiah 3:3
The second gate mentioned. It was
called the fish gate because the
fisherman of Galilee would bring their
catch in through this gate to be sold.
This for us, speaks of evangelism as we have been
called to be "fishers of men" (Matt 4:19). After we
come to Christ - the first gate, this gate becomes the
next progression in our journey to tell others of
Yeshua's love for us.
8. Gate 3
The Gate The Gate Significance The Personal Significance
3. Old Gate
Nehemiah 3:6
Nehemiah is the only book in the bible
where it is called the Old gate and it
may have been one of the original
gates made.
This speaks of the old ways of truth, Jeremiah states
6:16" Thus says the Lord, Stand by the ways and see
and ask for the ancient paths where the good way is and
walk in it; And you will find rest for your souls" The
ancient days calls us back to His long established
ways that do not change and remain the same
yesterday, today and forever.
9. Gate 4
The Gate The Gate Significance The Personal Significance
4. Valley Gate
Nehemiah 3:16
Several valleys surround Jerusalem
and this gate opened out to the valley
of Hinnom.
There is a long distance before you get the next gate
from the Old Gate. This gate speaks to us of humbling
and trials - the valley type experiences used by the
Lord for our personal growth. It's not easy going
through this gate but as believers we need to remember
that nothing really grows in the natural on the mountain
tops, but it definitely grows down in the valley. So this is
obviously in the spiritual, the growth, the trials. Never
easy or nice but it produces good fruit unto YHWH.
10. Gate 5
The Gate The Gate Significance The Personal Significance
5. Dung (Refuse)
Gate
Nehemiah 3:14
All of Jerusalem's refuse and rubbish
was taken out through this gate, down
to the valley of Hinnom where it would
be burned.
Again quite a distance from the previous gate to this
gate. This gate is where rubbish is removed and this is
what happens in our own life. The Valley experiences
are used by YHWH to clear away the rubbish so that
our character will be pleasing unto YHWH, here we
get refined by the fire, an come forth and produce
fruit.
11. Gate 6
The Gate The Gate Significance The Personal Significance
6. Fountain Gate
Nehemiah 3:16
This gate is located near the pool of
Siloah and was often used by the
people for cleaning before proceeding
to the temple.
This gate is located close to the dung gate. In other
words, after the valley type experiences where rubbish is
removed out through the dung gate, true faith comes
forth and the fountains begin to flow! As written in
John 7:38"Whoever believes in me, streams of living
water will flow from within him".
12. Gate 7
The Gate The Gate Significance The Personal Significance
7. Water Gate
Nehemiah 3:26
This gate led down to the Gihon Spring
which was located adjacent to the
Kidron Valley.
This gate is a picture of the word of God and its effect in
our life. Eph 5:26 "…..having washed her by the water of
the word.." Psalm 119:9 states that it is only through
God's word that we can be clean. The is no coincidence
that this gate was located next to the fountain gate as the
two goes together. The Holy Spirit is the one who
makes the Word of God alive in us, cleansing us,
encouraging us and gives direction in our life.
13. Gate 8
The Gate The Gate Significance The Personal Significance
8. Horse Gate
Nehemiah 3:28
This gate was close to the King's
stables and the men of Jerusalem
would ride their horse out of this gate
for war.
This gate speaks of warfare - spiritual warfare, as the
horses where used in battle and became a symbol of war
- Rev 19:11. Spiritual warfare is a requirement for
every believer in Yeshua because we are all in a battle
whether we know it or like it or not.
14. Gate 9
The Gate The Gate Significance The Personal Significance
9. East Gate
Nehemiah 3:29
This gate is located on the opposite
side of Mount Olives.
This is the most important gate!! This is the gate where
Yeshua will return, Ezekiel 44:1-3…. The gate that looked
toward the east, and it was shut. The Lord said to me,
This gate shall be shut, it shall not be opened and no one
shall enter by it, for the Lord God of Israel has entered by
it" The east gate opens and looks towards the Mount of
olives and we know that Jesus will return to this mount,
Zech 14:4. He will enter Jerusalem by the east gate. So
this gate speaks to the return of Yeshua HaMasiach.
As believers we need to live with this hope and to the
longing of His return. A specific crown is given to
those who do this, 2 Tim 4:8.
15. Gate 10
The Gate The Gate Significance The Personal Significance
10. Muster
(Inspection) Gate
Nehemiah 3:3
This word in Hebrew has a military
connection and according to tradition it
was at this gate that David would meet
his troops to inspect them.
This is the final gate and speaks to us of the examination
of our lives by the Lord. This is indicated by Paul in 1 Cor
4:5. We should to daily introspection of our character,
asking YHWH if we are pleasing unto Him.
16. Summary
• How often do you and I do introspection or enquire like Nehemiah did? Enquire about
your spiritual state/condition by the Lord, or Spiritual Mother or Spiritual Father or
your Spiritual Leader?
• Are we fisher of men for the Kingdom?
• How often do we let go of the “old ways”? Do you re-evaluate your character, your
walk, your behavior, you actions etc….
• How do you respond when facing trials, the valley period of your shaping so that the
our “new wineskin” can receive the fresh, new things of God.
• How often do you remove the “dung” in your life, the old habits etc…
• We have to review all the gates so that Yeshua can pour out His Spirit in us (Water
gate & Fountain gate).
• How prepared are you for the End Time War??
• As Watchmen on the wall we need to review our lives constantly, in fact daily!