Command the Gates

There are several references to gates in scripture and David spoke of God breaking the gates of brass and cutting asunder the bars of iron. This was in Psalm 107 when he spoke about God’s salvation of Isreal. They had wandered in the wilderness and were hungry and thirsty. They cried out to God in their distress and he heard them, delivered them and gave them a dwelling place. Some of God’s people dwelt in darkness and distress, when they rebelled against God. They cried out to God in their distress and he heard them and brought them out of the shadows of death.

Isaiah wrote about God’s anointing and mandate over Cyrus concerning the Jews.“Thus saith the LORD to his anointed, to Cyrus, whose right hand I have holden, to subdue nations before him; and I will loose the loins of kings, to open before him the two leaved gates; and the gates shall not be shut” (Isaiah 45:1). Isaiah spoke of God opening gates of kingdoms and cities to give Cyrus dominance. God was making a way for Cyrus to have conquest over kingdoms and territories. “I will go before you and level the exalted places, I will break in pieces the doors of bronze and cut through the bars of iron” (Isaiah 45:2). God was also giving him treasures of darkness and hoards of riches in secret places.

He was exalting Cyrus for the sake of his own people, to honour his covenants to Abraham and Isaac. Although Cyrus was not the seed of Abraham, nor did he share in the covenant of Isreal, God would equip him and use his kingdom to channel resources for the restoration of the Jews. “Thus says the Lord: “The wealth of Egypt and the merchandise of Cush, and the Sabeans, men of stature, shall come over to you and be yours; they shall follow you; they shall come over in chains and bow down to you. They will plead with you, saying: ‘Surely God is in you, and there is no other, no god besides him’”” (Isaiah 45:14). God spoke of the dominion of his people over regions, territories, wealth and resources. He did this to exalt his name and for his glory among the nations.

We speak to the gates of bronze, iron, sliver and gold and we command a shaking. “The silver is mine, and the gold is mine, declares the Lord of hosts” (Haggai 2:8). We speak to the gates and command them to be open and release every promise of God for his children. We speak to the gates of the seas and nations and command it to give up its wealth (Isaiah 60:5). We speak to gates of the nations to release lost souls for the kingdom of God. “Lift up your heads, O ye gates; And be ye lift up, ye everlasting doors; And the King of glory shall come in” (Psalm 24:7).

A.P.-Y.