When the wall had been rebuilt and I had the doors installed, the gatekeepers, singers, and Levites were appointed. Nehemiah 7:1 HCSB
The Holman Bible Dictionary defines the “Gatekeeper” as one who guards access to a place, either a city (2 Samuel 18:26 (http://www.studylight.org/desk/index.cgi?q1=2%20Samuel+18:26&t1=en_nas) ; 2 Kings 7:10-11 (http://www.studylight.org/desk/index.cgi?q1=2%20Kings+7:10-11&t1=en_nas) ), a residence (John 18:17 (http://www.studylight.org/desk/index.cgi?q1=John+18:17&t1=en_nas) ), the sacred precincts of the ark (1 Chronicles 15:23-24 (http://www.studylight.org/desk/index.cgi?q1=1%20Chronicles+15:23-24&t1=en_nas) ), or the Temple (1 Chronicles 23:5 (http://www.studylight.org/desk/index.cgi?q1=1%20Chronicles+23:5&t1=en_nas) ). KJV uses the term “porter” for a gatekeeper. Temple gatekeepers were charged with preventing anyone unclean from entering the Temple (2 Chronicles 23:19 (http://www.studylight.org/desk/index.cgi?q1=2%20Chronicles+23:19&t1=en_nas) ) and with guarding the Temple treasuries and storehouses (1 Chronicles 9:26
(http://www.studylight.org/desk/index.cgi?q1=1%20Chronicles+9:26&t1=en_nas) ; 1 Chronicles 26:20-22 (http://www.studylight.org/desk/index.cgi?q1=1%20Chronicles+26:20-22&t1=en_nas) ; Nehemiah 12:25 (http://www.studylight.org/desk/index.cgi?q1=Nehemiah+12:25&t1=en_nas) ).
All of us are charged to be “Gatekeepers”. We must guard our hearts and minds, not allowing anything that is unclean to enter. As parents we are to be “Gatekeepers” for our homes so we protect our children from the evil one. There is abundant temptation in our world that is clamoring for attention. It always looks good, but a good Gatekeeper will see past the surface and determine what is good and clean and throw the dirty and evil out.
Challenge: What are you allowing to come into your life and your home through the television, the computer, radio, or even the friends you bring into your life? Monitor what your children are watching and listening to on the television and on the internet. Ask God to help you to become a good “Gatekeeper” who vigilantly watches for the evil one and protects himself from the many temptations of this world.