Hanun and the
inhabitants of Zanoah repaired the Valley Gate. They rebuilt it and set its
doors, its bolts, and its bars, and repaired a thousand cubits of the wall, as
far as the Dung Gate.
THE STUDY:
Today we are going to look at the next gate to
be repaired and that is the Valley Gate. If you remember, the Valley Gate is
where Nehemiah’s nighttime inspection started and ended when he first arrived.
Hanun is from the town of Zanoah which is about thirteen miles southwest of
Jerusalem. Hanun’s name is very interesting; it means “Favored.”
The
Valley Gate opened up into the Hinnom Valley which is known to be the area
where all the garbage was disposed of. This surely suggests humility—a
willingness to take a lowly place so that the Lord may be exalted.
WHAT WE CAN WALK AWAY
WITH ….
- We walk away with the understanding that no matter what your status in society may be: Mayor of the town or garbage man, you are needed for the work of the Kingdom.
APPLICATION:
Pride is a
characteristic found in every fallen creature, who really have nothing to be
proud of; for “What do you have that you
did not receive?” (I Cor 4:7) Even in connection with service for the Lord,
how this unholy thing creeps in, leading one servant to be jealous of another,
instead of catching the Master’s voice as He says, “If it is my will that he remain until I come, what is that to you? You
follow me!”[1]
One of the
commentators states: Every Christian needs a “valley gate,” for God opposes the
proud but gives grace to the humble (1 Peter 5:5–6). It is only as we yield to
Christ and serve others that we can truly enter into the fullness of the life
He has for us (Phil. 2:1–11).[2]
Today, don’t
let pride raise its ugly head! Remember, it’s not about being first, right, or
on top! It is about allowing the Holy Spirit to work through you and in you so
that His will be done. Pride clogs up the flow of the Holy Spirit. Let us not
miss out on seeing what only God can do today because of PRIDE!
Let’s move out of the Prideland and into the presence of
God!
Blessings my friends
Pastor Rod
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