The 12 Gates and Their Spiritual Application- Part 2
Today, we continue with the second part of our four-part series on the gates of Jerusalem and their spiritual significance and application to our lives. Let’s take a look at the Valley Gate, the Dung Gate, and the Fountain Gate.
Valley Gate
The valley gate repaired Hanun, and the inhabitants of Zanoah. Nehemiah 3:13 (KJV)
Nehemiah 2:13 tells us that Nehemiah went through this gate in the dark of night to view the walls of Jerusalem. He examined the condition of the walls. We will go through dark valleys. As we do so, we must stay focused on our purpose. As we go through the valley, we keep our eyes on the mission. The lower we go in the valley, God can do His deep work in us, preparing us to be taken higher and further in Him. The verse above tells us that the Valley Gate was repaired. God is putting us back together in the valley, and we will come up and out better than when we went in.
Dung Gate
But the dung gate repaired Malchiah the son of Rechab. Nehemiah 3:14 (KJV)
The inhabitants of Jerusalem used the Dung Gate to take their garbage out of the city to burn it in the Valley of Hinnom. This speaks of getting rid of the garbage that is in our lives, taking action to remove anything that is offensive to God. It may stick to deal with our issues, messy relationships, bad attitudes, and wrong beliefs and mindsets. However, we cannot allow it to remain and stink up our lives and ruin our witness. Jesus made the way for us to get rid of anything in our lives that isn’t good.
The Dung Gate led to the Valley of Hinnom, telling us that we have to humble ourselves and take the low position to get rid of the garbage. We leave the garbage in the valley, and as we walk up and out of the valley, we will be free of it.
Fountain Gate
But the gate of the fountain repaired Shallun the son of Colhozeh, the ruler of part of Mizpah Nehemiah 3:15 (KJV)
This gate was located on the east side of the city, where the Kidron Valley water source was. Through this gate, a tunnel built by King Hezekiah brought water to residents of Jerusalem (II Kings 20:20). We must maintain the fountain gate in our lives so that living waters continue to flow. we are the gatekeepers for our own spiritual lives. As we rebuild and guard our hearts, we can drink from the fountain and well of salvation (John 4:14). God has provided living waters for us by His Word and His Spirit. We can drink daily and be filled (Psalms 36:9, Proverbs 14:27, Revelation 21:6).
