Warriors at the gate

“Then at last the Lord of Heaven’s armies will himself be Israel’s glorious crown. He will be the pride and joy of the remnant of his people. He will give a longing for justice to their judges.

He will give great courage to their warriors who stand at the gates,” (Isaiah 28:5-6, NLT). Mordecai is the second example of a warrior at the gate, which we have to consider. Mordecai sat at the King’s Gate in Shushan (Esther 2:21).

From there, he rallied the Jews to fight for their destiny in the land. Biblical scholars believe that Mordecai had an official position at the gate, perhaps as a court official, armed guard or judge. While sitting at the King’s Gate, he learned that two of the king’s eunuchs, Bigthan and Teresh, were plotting to kill the king.

Mordecai told Queen Esther, who then told the King about the plot. The plot was investigated and found to be true and Bigthan and Teresh were hanged. Meanwhile, when Vasti was removed as the Queen, Mordecai positioned Esther to contest as the Queen to King Ahuesarus.

When Haman threatened to eliminate the Jews in Shushan because Mordecai did not bow down to him and because he felt that the Jews threatened his position, Mordecai sent a message to Queen Esther urging her to go before the king to seek his intervention, so that, the Jews would not be eliminated. Initially, Esther hesitated to go before the king to plead on behalf of the Jews. Her excuse was that the law of the land prohibited anyone from going to the presence of the king unless such a one was invited.

It was then Mordecai reminded her that: “For if you remain completely silent at this time, relief and deliverance will arise for the Jews from another place, but you and your father’s house will perish. Yet, who knows whether you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this?” (Esther 4:14). This statement from Mordecai was what Esther needed to spur her to action.

Once she was aroused, she then said: “Go, gather all the Jews who are present in Shushan and fast for me; neither eat nor drink for three days, night or day. My maids and I will fast likewise. And so, I will go to the king, which is against the law; and if I perish, I perish!” (Esther 4:16, NKJV).

The efforts of Mordecai and Esther delivered the Jews from Haman and restored the dignity of the Jews. Daniel was a warrior at the gate of Babylon. He served in various capacities underfour different rulers in Babylon.

His intercession brought him to the public limelight and into conflict with his fellow administrators, who plotted to eliminate him because of his faith. He was wrongly accused and thrown into a lion’s den. God delivered him and brought honour and glory to his name.

Pastors are called to be warriors at the gate. They are supposed to intercede for the families put under their care. They are called to pray for their members and their welfare.

They are to pray for their members to stand complete in Christ. Like Paul, they should pray for their members until Christ is formed in them (Colossians 4:12; Galatians 4:19-20). If we must fight and win the battle at the gate, we need God’s strength, courage and wisdom.

We need discernment and the anointing of the Holy Spirit. • Contact: [email protected].