Posted: 29 February 2024

From a sermon given on 25 February 2024:

So they and their children had the oversight of the gates of the house of the Lord, namely, the house of the tabernacle, by wards. In four quarters were the porters, toward the east, west, north, and south.
(I Chronicles 9:23-24

Here is the same verses as found I the Amplified Version of the Bible:

So they and their sons were in charge of the gates of the house of the Lord, that is, the house of the tabernacle, as guards. The gatekeepers were stationed on the four sides on the east, west, north, and south.

A gate is an opening. It is not just an opening, but a legal access point. Access into a life, city, church, family, or nation is granted or denied at the gate. It's a place of entry or exit. A gate confine or shut up things from coming in or going out. A gate is a control point. It's a symbol of power and authority. A gate is a border, pathway, a boundary. A gate is an altar. It’s a transit place. A gate is a meeting place. (Bright Adeyeye)

The gatekeepers were an important part of maintaining order in the ancient societies. David and Samuel appointed 212 gate keepers for guarding the temple of the Lord. They ensured that there was order and reverence in the house of Yahweh. There were gatekeepers stationed in various entry points of the city. They were to stay alert and warn the city dwellers of any impending dangers. They controlled access to city's social, political and economic activities.

We are the spiritual gatekeepers stationed to oversee various types of gates within and around our sphere of influence. This could be but not limited to the gates of our marriages, families, ministries, jobs and careers, businesses, our nation, prosperity, good health and favor. As gatekeepers, we control all the affairs of men on our knees. We must always remain on high alert.

Further readings:

The children of the porters: the children of Shallum, the children of Ater, the children of Talmon, the children of Akkub, the children of Hatita, the children of Shobai, in all an hundred thirty and nine.
(Ezra 2:42)

Now it came to pass, when the wall was built, and I had set up the doors, and the porters and the singers and the Levites were appointed
(Nehemiah 7:1)

For these Levites, the four chief porters, were in their set office, and were over the chambers and treasuries of the house of God
(1 Chronicles 9:26)