The Importance of a Wall

By Bill Brandstatter

    The wall surrounding the Mexico/U.S. border is back in the news. Part of this wall has already been built. President Trump has authorized the finishing of it. It has created some joy among some. Others are upset about it. Walls divide. They also protect. There are some walls in the Bible that are significant.
     The walls of Jericho. The writer of Hebrews records, “By faith the walls of Jericho fell down after they were encircled for seven days” (NKJV). We can read more about this in Joshua chapter seven. The wall coming down was a way of showing the power of God. God can do the impossible. The idea of circling the walls and shouting was not good militarily. It didn’t make sense. But with God all things are possible. When the people did just as God commanded in a way He commanded the results came as God promised. The same is true today.
     The walls of Jerusalem. These walls are well known throughout the Old and New Testaments. In the book of Nehemiah, we read of the effort and accomplishment of rebuilding the wall (Neh. 4:6).
     This wall were significant for protection and assurance for the Jews. This wall was a significant part of their heritage and hope.
     The third wall is different from the first two. Paul mentions this wall in his letter to the Ephesians. There he writes, “For He Himself is our peace, who has made both one, and has broken down the middle wall of separation.”(Eph. 2:14). What is this wall?  He goes on to state, “Having abolished in His flesh the enmity, that is the law of commandments contained in ordinances, so as to create in Himself one new man from the two, thus making peace”(Eph. 2:15). The wall was the “law of commandments.” That is the Law of Moses which included the 10 commandments.  It was a wall that separated the Jew from the Gentiles. No longer is that the case.
     The final wall is in heaven. The heavenly realm is described as streets of gold and walls of jasper. This of course is a figurative description of heaven. Heaven is not a physical place with a physical wall. In Rev. 21:18 we read, “The construction of its wall was of jasper; and the city was pure gold, like clear glass.” What a beautiful picture John paints in heaven. Yet heaven is even more beautiful than what is described in the book of Revelation. I want to go there .Don’t you? Whatever it takes, let’s do it so we can be there one day.

– Bill Brandstatter preaches for the Marion Church of Christ in Marion, IL. He may be contacted through the congregation's website: http://marionchurchofchrist.com/