Pr. 8:3: “She [wisdom] cries out by the gates, at the entry of the city, at the entrance of the doors”
Historically, the gates of the city were not just a wall with a big, guarded door. The gates were where business was conducted. There were rooms and levels, benches and seats. The elders of the city would gather there to discuss legal matters. Kings would have their thrones at the gate. Purchases would be made.
It was at the city gate that Abraham purchased Sarah’s cave in which he would bury her. (Gen 23, see vs. 18) The city gate is also where Boaz spoke before 10 of the elders of the city and Ruth’s closest relative, in order to redeem her. Ruth 4:11, “And all the people who were at the gate, and all the elders, said, “We are witnesses.” It was also in the city gate that King David sat after Absalom died, to reassure his people that all was well. (2 Sam. 19:8)
In Abraham’s blessing from the Lord, He said, “And your descendants shall possess the gate of their enemies.” (Gen. 22:17) We can now see that this was a very important part of the blessing because we see the importance of the city gate. The city gate was the heart of the city. It was the gate of the city that enemies aimed to overtake when conquering other cities.
What is our city gate? We could say it is where our government gathers. So then, does wisdom still cry out there? We must pray that she will be heard there. Our job is to stop complaining, get on our knees and pray that she will be heard in the city gate of our government.
Is the city gate our home? Is wisdom being heard in our homes? What are we allowing in the doors of our homes? What do we track in? What are others bringing in? Who are we allowing entrance that we shouldn’t? Is anyone or anything else sneaking in? We must be on watch. Wisdom is still crying out. We must pray that she can be heard.
Perhaps the city gate is our bodies. After all, our bodies are the temple of the Holy Spirit. Temples have doors. We must listen as wisdom cries out to protect what we are allowing in our temple. What are we watching on our iPads, phones, televisions and computers? What are we drinking? What are we consuming? What exactly are we doing with our bodies/His temple? Wisdom is still crying out. Can you hear her?
We cannot allow wisdom’s voice to be drowned out at the city gate, at the entrance of the doors. In fact, we need to stop, and ask for wisdom’s advice before opening the doors. Are we brave enough?
Let’s keep guard,
jamie
considering the word 