Prayer: Heavenly Father, may we be responsible gatekeepers for the Kingdom and the nations.
Note: Matthew 9:20 And, behold, a woman, which was diseased with an issue of blood twelve years, came behind him, and touched the hem of his garment: 9:21 For she said within herself, If I may but touch his garment, I shall be whole. 9:22 But Jesus turned him about, and when he saw her, he said, Daughter, be of good comfort; thy faith hath made thee whole. And the woman was made whole from that hour.
Although Shiphrah and Puah, were acting as midwives, they actually performed the role of gatekeepers against the marauding Pharaoh, who was intent on strategically putting the next generation of Hebrews to extinction by destroying the male born babies at birth. The strategies the midwives used in countering Pharaoh’s subtle aggression were that of courage and wisdom. The two women understood their purpose in the nation and knew why God had put them there at that time.
Gatekeepers were traditionally male guards stationed for protection at various kinds of gates, which could be city gates, palace gates, or temple gates. Often unnoticed, the gatekeepers of the temple guarded the entrance of the temple from defilements and impurities, faithfully administered the financial matters and maintained the temple property. Gate is an entryway into an unknown place, or a place of great significance; it is a threshold, and may connect the living and the dead.
Ancient cities had high, thick walls around them to keep out wild beasts and invading armies. Heavy gates were set within those walls to allow for entry and exit. A gatekeeper had to be trustworthy and alert for any signs of trouble and be in a position to give advance information for mobilisation of their army against invading forces. Guards kept watch at the palace to provide protection for the King. In the case of the two midwives, they were alert to the wicked intentions of Pharaoh to depopulate, weaken and rob the Hebrew nation of their identity.
Food for thought: Believers ought to be alert to covert operations of wicked forces to take control over the future of the nation.
Declaration: Therefore God dealt well with the midwives: and the people multiplied, and waxed very mighty. Exodus 1:20
Saturday, July 16, 2022
©Author: Rev Fred Aboe
