Picture by Frederic, Lord Leighton 1830-1896
The Philistines try to trap Samson in Gaza by securing the city gates; he is locked in, so they think. But Samson lifts the gates with his enormous might and carries them to Hebron, 40 miles away! It's estimated that these gates may have weighed over a thousand pounds. In Bible times the gates of cities were considered the symbol of their strength. By removing the city gate Samson caused Gaza great humiliation. Samson did this at Midnight.
I read all of this in my morning devotion time in response to a leading to read this chapter. Recently I have been thinking about reviving our Midnight Madness prayer time at our youth church, mostly in response to Jesse, one of my leaders. this scripture confirmed that leading.
Strange time to be taking the gates of the enemies but it's a promise in Genesis 22. Right after the LORD has provided a substitute sacrifice for the life of Isaac. An angel of the LORD calls out blessings to Abraham from the LORD because Abraham did not withhold his son from the altar. Among the blessings, he declares, “And your seed shall possess the gate of his enemies."
let us pray...