The Fountain of Living Water
Rev. Charles Oppong-Poku | November 5, 2023 | Nehemiah 3:15-25
KEY VERSE:
Shallun the son of Col-Hozeh, leader of the district of Mizpah, repaired the Fountain Gate; he built it, covered it, hung its doors with its bolts and bars, and repaired the wall of the Pool of Shelah by the King’s Garden. Nehemiah 3:15
MESSAGE
Today’s passage brings us to the 6th gate, the Fountain Gate. The Fountain Gate was on the east wall, just north of the Dung Gate, in a strategic location near the Pool of Siloam and was often used by the people for cleaning before proceeding on to the temple. The Fountain Gate derived its name from the fact that it was the primary access to the fountain – the Gihom Spring, Jerusalem's sole perennial source of water. In the Bible, water fountains are a picture of the Holy Spirit, and in John 7:37-39 “On the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, if anyone thirsts, let him come and drink. He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water”. That name reminds us of the words of the Lord Jesus to the woman at the well, "The water I shall give you will become a spring of water, a fountain welling up to eternal life." (John 4:14). This is the experience accessed by the Fountain Gate - the living water, and its resulting fruitfulness. In other words, after a valley-type experience where rubbish in our lives is cleared out through the Dung Gate, true faith comes forth and the fountains begin to flow quite quickly.
This speaks to us of the living waters of the Holy Spirit that cleanse our lives and empower us for our Christian life - to enable us to obey His will and His word. Like a glass of water, the Holy Spirit gives us life — God’s eternal life. Like a glass of water, the Holy Spirit satisfies us, refreshes us, and cleanses us from all the dirt that we have. Just as the Gihon Spring provides water and life to the whole city of Jerusalem, the Holy Spirit life springs up in us like a fountain, blessing all those around us. This fountain represented the life source of God Himself (Psalm 36:9; Isaiah 8:6).
FEET AND HANDS FOR THE MESSAGE
How does the message of the Fountain Gate and its life-giving properties relate to your understanding of the Holy Spirit's role in your life? Reflect on areas of your life that may need cleansing and renewal through the work of the Holy Spirit. How can you prepare yourself to be filled with the Holy Spirit in your daily life, and what changes might this filling bring to your thoughts, actions, and interactions with others? The Fountain Gate is the first power gate and shows that the infilling of the Spirit empowers us for God's purposes in our faith journey.
PRAYER
Heavenly Father, I come before you, acknowledging my need for cleansing and your transformative presence in my life. Fill me with your Holy Spirit, Lord. May your presence overflow in my heart and flow into every aspect of my being. I surrender myself to you, asking that you fill me with your love, peace, and joy. Help me be a vessel of your light in this world, guided by your Spirit. Amen.
THERE SHALL BE SHOWERS OF BLESSINGS. SHOWERS! BLESSINGS!!
DAILY word study: FOUNTAIN GATE In Hebrew "שַׁעַר הַמַּיִם"(Sha'ar HaMayim - Fountain Gate) - "Sha'ar" means gate, and "HaMayim" refers to water or fountain. The Fountain Gate likely had access to a water source.
Fountain is used in the Bible to signify:
Water Source: The mention of the Fountain Gate indicates its proximity to a water source. Gates near water sources were strategically important for the city's survival.
Symbolism of Life: Water, in biblical symbolism, often represents life and purification. Repairing the Fountain Gate could symbolize the renewal and vitality associated with a clean and functioning water source.
In Nehemiah 3:15, The Fountain Gate was repaired by Shallun indicates:
Connection to Vital Resources: The repair of the Fountain Gate prompts reflection on the importance of maintaining access to vital resources, both physically and spiritually.
Leadership in Resource Management: Shallun, as a leader, oversees the repair of a gate connected to water. This reflects the responsibility of leaders to manage and ensure access to essential resources for the community.
Symbolism of Renewal: The Fountain Gate, tied to water, symbolizes the potential for spiritual and communal renewal. Just as a fountain brings fresh water, the repaired gate signifies the possibility of refreshment and cleansing.
Reflections
How can we, like Shallun, take on leadership roles in ensuring access to essential resources for the well-being and renewal of our communities, both in the physical and spiritual sense?
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