This post is Day 6 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 6

When Abraham bought a field with a cave in order to bury Sarah, the deal was settled at the gate of the city. Job had a seat at the gate of the city. And in the story of Esther we read of things happening at the gate of the king.

Genesis 19:1

The two angels arrived at Sodom in the evening, and Lot was sitting in the gate of the city. When he saw them, he got up to meet them and bowed down with his face to the ground.

The Thought

The “gate of the city” is a phrase used often throughout the Old Testament. It was the place where the elders sat to discuss the affairs of the city. And also where they would welcome any visitors to the town. They always knew who was coming and going, and why!

It was the place where important matters were decided. It seems to have been the equivalent of the mayor’s offices or the council chambers today.

When Abraham bought a field with a cave in order to bury Sarah, the deal was settled “at the gate of the city” (Genesis 23). Job had a seat “at the gate of the city” (Job 29:7). And several times in the story of Esther we read of things happening “at the king’s gate”.

Reading this verse for today makes me think that Lot was on the “late shift” for the welcome committee. He welcomed the strangers. After a little persuasion, the angels who were obviously disguised as men, went to stay in Lot’s home.

The story is horrible! From the beginning when God decided to go down and see if things were really as bad as the outcry He had heard (Genesis 18:20), right to the end when He destroyed the city and everyone there (Genesis 19:24). The reason God destroyed the cities of both Sodom and Gomorrah was homosexuality and prostitution!

Action

Think today about things which happen in the place that is today’s equivalent of “the gate of the city”, the council rooms all over the world. Pray for Godly decisions to be made.

Pray for your town or city to be cleansed of all unrighteousness and for the Spirit of the Lord to visit your area.