Nehemiah 3:6 (KJV)
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.
I notice that they repaired the old gate. They did not replace it.
There are ten gates named in Nehemiah chapter three. Each of them is presumably named after its function.
- The Sheep Gate, where they brought in the sheep for sacrifice.
- The Fish Gate, probably where the fishermen marketed the fish they had caught commercially.
One of the gates is simply named "the Old Gate." We don't know exactly what is meant by that, but the suggestions are these:
Perhaps it was the way to the old part of the city.
This conjures in my mind some interesting thoughts because, by the time of Nehemiah, everything would have been old. They might barely have even known there was a part of town older than another.
It might have simply been the oldest gate in the city. Think of the growth and expansion of a town. Perhaps there was originally just one gate. As the city developed and grew, the walls were expanded and more gates were added.
I rather wonder if it might be appropriate to think of it not only as the ancient gate, but also as the first gate.
I'm growing older and, as I do, I see changes that trouble me. Some of them (perhaps the ones that trouble me the most) are happening in my own body. I can't do what I once did, and that bothers me. Perhaps that's why older people get so bothered by change. It reminds them that they are changing, and they can't change the fact that they are changing. Therefore, they want to prevent other things around them from changing.Change is a natural part of progress and life. But there is something nearly reverent about holding on to things that are old, original, and first.
The city of Jerusalem had grown larger and built newer gates over time, but even here, when there was an opportunity to "make all things new," they held on to that old gate.
I want to apply this for a moment to spiritual growth. We are, after all, taught to "grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.” Whether it was the original gate of the city or the gate that led to the original section of the city, the lesson is the same.
- Grow.
- Progress.
- Expand.
But as you do, don't forget from whence you came.
That gate should never be replaced.
That place should oft be revisited.
Healthy Christianity keeps moving forward—but often revisits the old gate.
#TheOldGate #GrowInGrace #RememberYourBeginning #Nehemiah3v6 #KJVBibleStudy
Are You Growing—or Just Moving On? The Old Gate Has the Answer
What do you think the Old Gate represents in the Christian life? Share your thoughts in the comments—I’d enjoy hearing your perspective. For more verse-by-verse Bible studies and practical biblical encouragement, visit marvinmckenzie.org.
Let's keep growing while never forgetting where God began His work in us.
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