Neh 7:1-3 Father’s Day 2004
KJV (3) "…every one in his watch, and every one to be over against his house."
(Neh 11:19) "The gatekeepers…. who kept watch at the gates--172 men."
They were actually considered part of the temple salary (Neh 13:5) "…. the tithes (was) prescribed for the Levites, singers
Fathers are our modern day Gatekeepers
There is a sound of breaking Glass in the middle of the night Awakening you from a dead sleep? Whose job is it to go and check on the safety of your home. (FRANK TRIGG COMING TO MY HOUSE IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT? IT WAS MY JOB TO PROTECT MY FAMILY. )
Gatekeepers were more then ceremonial jobs
the fate of the city rested on their shoulders Who got in and how they got in was the difference between safety or destruction.The Gate Keepers did not serve alone
Note the order listed in Verse 1 FIRST Gatekeepers THEN worshippers THEN ministers.
Gate Keepers and Worshippers were in equal number 1 Chr 23:5 Four thousand are to be gatekeepers and four thousand are to praise the LORD….."
Gatekeepers were supported by their counterpart worshipper (2 Chr 35:15) "…The gatekeepers at each gate did not need to leave their posts, because their fellow Levites made the preparations for them."
The Gatekeeper & the worshippers supported the church (Neh 10:39) "… the gatekeepers and the singers stay. "We will not neglect the house of our God.""
Whoes Gaurding your Home?
The city is reinforced the walls built but the gates must be guarded
At this time there were probably only 4 gates (Fountain – Horse – Benjamin – Ephraim) during the Time of Christ there were 9
How many gates into your home? In your body there are 5 gates (your 5 senses) Every place there is entryway into your home there is a gate.
Physical entryways- Every door and every window- every visitor and every guest is an entery way. Television- radio – magazines the internet are all enteryways into your home
Mental entryways - Attitudes Words and actions-Negativity and selfishness
Spiritual Entryways- Decorations and ornaments- Lust of the Flesh Lust of the eyes Pride of life.
Fathers your Job is very specific- only 2 duties