p. 246 | Possessing the Gates of Enemies

International Tract and Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Apr 16, 1885

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 11, No. 16.

Possessing the Gates of Enemies

"THY seed shall possess the gate of his enemies." Gen. 22: 17. Ancient cities, as is well known, were surrounded by walls, and the only means of entrance was by means of gates, which were well guarded. Whoever controlled those gates, controlled the city. If an enemy could gain possession of the gates of a city, they could keep the inhabitants closely confined within, or could admit whomsoever they chose. So to possess the gate of one's enemies would signify supreme rule. When it was promised that Abraham's seed should "possess the gate of his enemies," we understand that his seed was to eventually occupy all the territory then occupied by those who were antagonistic to him. But this was equivalent to the inheritance of the earth, thus showing that this text is parallel with Gen. 12: 13; 13: 15; Rom. 4: 13, which have already been considered.