Lift up your heads, O you gates! And be lifted up, you everlasting doors! And the King of glory shall come in. Who is this King of glory? The Lord strong and mighty, the Lord mighty in battle. Lift up your heads, O you gates! Lift up, you everlasting doors and the King of glory shall come in. Who is this King of glory? The Lord of hosts, He is the King of glory. Selah (Psalm 24:7-10)
In David’s day, and even beyond, the gates of a city were very important; open gates allowed entrance to those who populated and supported the city as well as those who came from afar bringing commerce and prosperity. Closed gates prevented those who had ill intentions from entering and wreaking havoc and destruction. And so, gates played a significant role in the provision and protection of a city.
Understanding their significance, David chose to speak to the gates of Jerusalem in the closing verses of the psalm as if they could hear and respond to him. Commanding them in a sense, David called upon them to acknowledge the One who, for the people of Israel, was the source for provision and protection — the King of Glory.
In Jewish commentary, it is believed that David wrote these words in anticipation of the Ark of the Covenant being escorted into a permanent abode within the Holy of Holies of the Temple Solomon would build. According to Jewish belief, this explains why David referred to the doors as everlasting — i.e. God’s Throne upon the earth was always to be in Jerusalem atop Mount Moriah thus forever sanctifying the portals that led to this Sacred Space.
But it is also pointed out that David directs the gates, twice, to receive the King of Glory. Rabbinical commentators interpret this to mean the Ark was destined to be removed and then returned at a later date. Seeing that it was not present in the Second Temple, they surmise David’s was speaking prophetically of the Messianic Age when the Glory of God would again reside in His Temple in Jerusalem.
This is a fascinating thing to consider, however, I strongly suggest that the focus of David’s prophecy was not the Ark of the Covenant but the King Himself. Two thousand years ago, Messiah rode into the gates of Jerusalem upon a colt to the cries, “Blessed is He who comes in the name of the LORD.” The Gospel of Matthew said this was done that the prophecy might be fulfilled which says, “Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout, O daughter of Jerusalem! Behold, your King is coming to you; He is just and having salvation, lowly and riding on a donkey, a colt, the foal of a donkey” (Zechariah 9:9). Of course, we know this first visit was not the last. His first appearance was a suffering servant, but He will return as the conquering King, coming to sit upon His Throne and reign over the earth.
The Eastern Gate, presumably the gate through which He will enter, is currently closed to Him, perhaps in some feeble attempt to prevent Him from entering. No matter — when He returns, the earth will shake, the nations will tremble and the locked gates will be raised, the closed doors will be opened and the King of Glory will enter His Temple. What a glorious day that will be. In anticipation of that great day, let us make certain that there are no locked gates in our life that would keep Him at a distance. Let’s make sure the door to our heart is always open and ready to receive Him and that He is truly honored as the King of our hearts.
Blessings and Shalom,
Bill
Recent Comments