Doors

Doors tell stories.

• At the time of the flood, God shuts the door to the ark, preserving the chosen few, while the rest of creation perishes.

• God warns Cain that sin crouches at the door and waits to master him.

• Sarah listens from the doorway of her tent as angels speak of a coming son. She laughs.

• From the peephole of his door, Lot smells trouble as evil men force it ajar.

• A slave committing to life-long service has his ear-piercing ceremony at the door.

• In the climax of the exodus account, blood-stained doorposts signal the angel of death to pass over.

• Heaven’s doors unlatch and manna rains down to feed God’s people.

• And who can forget Uriah, who sleeps at the doorstep of his house? Loyalty to his comrades on the battlefield keeps him from entering—his devotion then repaid with treachery.

Doors tell of opportunity and judgment, entrance and exclusion. A padlocked door represents a request denied. An open door invites us to enter. Doors warn and welcome.

• Psalms instruct us to guard the door of our lips.

• Proverbs warn of the harlot’s door.

• Those who wait at wisdom’s door will find it.

• Job asks, “Who enclosed the sea with doors?”

• Hosea prophecies, “a door of hope where Israel will sing as in the days of her youth.”

• Jesus tells his followers to ask and the door will be opened. He teaches that persistence will open a shut door.

• Jesus warns that his coming draws near—right at the door.

• In the parable of the ten virgins, the wedding feast begins and the closed door keeps stragglers out.

• Jesus stands at the door and knocks. Those who hear his voice invite him in.

Doors tell stories, and those who have ears listen.

I’d love for you to share about the doors I missed.