The Israeli army is building a wall to run along part of its border with Lebanon. Already having one on the Palestinian border, they will soon have one on their border with Egypt. Given the changing political climate, it is no wonder.
Throughout history, walls have been used to defend cities from potential aggressors. In the Bible, walls were the places of battle—the only thing that stood between a city and its enemies. Walls are therefore used metaphorically of security and safety (Isa. 26:1; 60:18). In America, we don't have walls around our cities, but we have walls around our homes, and walls on our borders. The walls of our houses are strong, thick, and insulated to keep things in (privacy) and keep things out (noise, heat, cold, unwanted people).
It seems to me that Israel’s actions might be used to remind The Church (the New Israel) that it must build strong walls to keep in solid doctrine and keep out worldly influence. As the last days get closer, there will be tremendous pressure for all peoples to let down their walls and move toward unity and acceptance. Christ followers will be pressured to accept religious pluralism. Metaphorically speaking, we ought to make sure we are building solid walls of truth to keep out the doctrines of demons and protects us, corporately and individually, against the fiery darts of Satan.
Every house has to have functioning walls. Without walls, what would hold up the ceiling, keep the wind out, keep your neighbor out and the dog in? Walls are an integral part of, not only buildings, but of all civilization. Walls "hold up" the ideals of the entire human race.
Nehemiah is the story of the rebuilding of the walls of Jerusalem. Walls were important to ancient cities—for protection: to keep the good in and the bad out! But Nehemiah did more than rebuild walls; he restored the spiritual lives of the Jewish people. After 70 years of spiritual neglect (without spiritual walls) the people were unrestrained.
This week a new movie called “Weekend” premiered at the South by Southwest film festival, receiving kudos from the mainstream media. The film covers 48 hours in the lives of two gay men who have a one-night stand. One film critic said the film is resonating with gay and straight audiences alike because filmgoers, no matter their sexuality, can identify with the characters’ fumbling feelings as their relationship evolves into something more meaningful the day after their sexual encounter. The film's producer says “we are pleased to see a broader audience embracing gay cinema; the walls are coming down.” They certainly are, “like a city whose walls are broken down" (Prov. 25:28).
This week as the Nation celebrated former President Ronald Reagan’s 100th birthday, these now-famous words came to my mind with fresh spiritual insight. “For He Himself is our peace, who made both groups [Jews and Gentiles] into one and broke down the barrier of the dividing wall” (Ephesians 2:14).
The barrier of the dividing wall is an allusion to the wall that separated the Court of the Gentiles from the Court of the Jews in the temple. But Paul goes on to apply a universal meaning to the “wall” analogy. By His death on the cross, Christ has broken down the wall that separated us from God. It is the “wall of shame” we all have tried, unsuccessfully, to climb on our own. It is the wall that holds us captive from the abundant life just on the other side—a wall of mis-beliefs and outright lies.
Later to the Corinthians, Paul refers again to the “wall” analogy when he challenges them to demolish this fortress made up of arguments and speculations that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and to take captive all these lying thoughts and make them obedient to Christ. (2 Cor. 10:4-5)
The “wall” analogy is as old as Adam and Eve. When Satan succeeded in bringing into question the absolute “truth” of God (Did God say?), the wall was up, and the rest was easy. The challenge of believing God is no less real than it was then. So then, let us “Tear down that wall!”
