This post is Day 25 in a series of studies about “Doors & Gates”. I strongly suggest you begin with the introduction to this study, please click here to read it.

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Doors & Gates – Day 25

Once more the respected men of the time had their council meetings at the city gate. The city gate was where many disputes were settled, strangers were met, details of inheritance agreed upon and business affairs discussed. It was also the place where guilty people could be stoned to death.

Proverbs 31:23

Her husband is respected at the city gate, where he takes his seat among the elders of the land.

The Thought

This is a verse from the well known “Proverbs 31 Lady” which is worth reading, even by the men. After many verses when Solomon, writer of these chapters, criticises the “wrong” wife, it is as though, at last, he found the right one.

The suggestion is that the husband of this “perfect wife” is well respected BECAUSE of her. She does such a good job and keeps the home so well and peaceful that he can fulfill his daily tasks without worry.

Once more, in this verse we have the confirmation that, as we have seen in several Old Testament readings in this study, the respected men of the time had their council meetings at the city gate. When the Bible talks about the “elders” it does not necessarily mean the older men. But rather those who are “superior” in wisdom and understanding. It would also include the richer ones, the business men of their time.

The city gate was where many disputes were settled, strangers were met, (Genesis 19) details of inheritance agreed upon (Ruth 4:1-12) and business affairs discussed.

It was also the place where guilty people could be stoned to death (Deuteronomy 17:5).

Action

Pray today for the families you know that are struggling with relationships. Where the pressure at home is affecting the work of the adults, and causing stress for the children. Sadly there are too many families who fit into those circumstances in our day.

Pray too for those who are “modern” thinkers today and have problems with gender as described in the Bible. God made mankind in His own image. Male and female he created them. (Genesis 1:27).