Musing – What is important about a Gate or Threshold?

Hebraic Musing – What is important about a Gate or Threshold?

The bible mentions threshold (or gate or entrance) more often than we realize.  Why?

Consider the two definitions of ‘threshold’ – (1) a piece of wood, metal, or stone that forms the bottom of a door and that you walk over as you enter a room or building; (2) point or level at which something begins or changes.  (The purpose of the barrier at the bottom of the door is to keep out unwanted animals and people unwilling to surrender to the will of the master of the home.)

Irene’s son has two massive Mastiff dogs weighing about 200 lbs. each. That breed is reputed to be used as guard dogs in China because they are family friendly; they welcome guests; they lay down across the threshold (gate/entrance/doorway) and they do not let the guest leave until the owner gives permission. Their massive size and tenacity enables them to also effectively guard the entrance against unwelcome intruders. The words ‘Threshold’, ‘Gate’ and ‘Entrance’ appear a total of  381 times in the NIV, mostly referencing the guarding and protecting function.  When we enter a home across the threshold, or a city through the gate, or a country through passport control, we are then subject to the laws, customs and expectations as guests of that home, city or country. Here are just a few of the relevant Biblical references:

The god Dagon couldn’t cross the threshold -- 1 Sam 5:4  …Dagon had fallen face downward … before the ark of the Lord, and the head of Dagon and both his hands were lying cut off on the threshold. ESV

Lot’s concubine sought the threshold -- Judges 19:27-28   her master… opened the doors of the house … behold, there was his concubine lying at the door of the house, with her hands on the threshold. ESV

Zephaniah tells there is trouble for the unwelcome -- Zeph 1:9  On that day I will punish everyone who leaps over the threshold, and those who fill their master's house with violence and fraud. ESV

Abram met the Lord at the entrance -- Gen 18:1  The Lord appeared to Abraham near the great trees of Mamre while he was sitting at the entrance to his tent in the heat of the day.   NIV

Jesus stressed the importance of using the right entrance or gate -- Matt 7:13-14 "Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life,and only a few find it.”   And John 10:1-4 "I tell you the truth, the man who does not enter the sheep pen by the gate, but climbs in by some other way, is a thief and a robber. The man who enters by the gate is the shepherd of his sheep …“  And  John 10:7-9  "I tell you the truth, I am the gate for the sheep.  All who ever came before me were thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them.  I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved.  NIV

Ultimately Jesus will carry us across the threshold to be a bride in His new home -- John 14:2-3  In my Father's house are many rooms…. I am going there to prepare a place for you.  And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.  NIV

Points to ponder

If we sheep have entered through the gate into the Good Shepherd’s sheep-pen,
are we subject to the rules of the house as good guests?
Welcomed, Protected, Provided for, Loved, Cherished…

Yosef   a.k.a.  Joe Brusherd                                                                   April 8, 2014

Author of two books “Hebraic Insights” and  “Biblical Marriage”
And weekly “Hebraic Musings” e-mails
Yosef1@cox.net  or  www.InsightsByYosef.com

Inspired by Johanna Hocker on March 17, 2014