Topical Encyclopedia In the biblical context, "rubble" often refers to the debris or remains of destroyed structures, symbolizing desolation, judgment, or the aftermath of divine intervention. The imagery of rubble is frequently used in the Old Testament to depict the consequences of disobedience to God and the resulting destruction of cities and nations.One of the most vivid depictions of rubble is found in the Book of Nehemiah. After the Babylonian exile, Nehemiah returns to Jerusalem to find the city walls in ruins. Nehemiah 2:13 states, "So I went out at night through the Valley Gate toward the Well of the Serpents and the Dung Gate, and I inspected the walls of Jerusalem that had been broken down and its gates that had been destroyed by fire." The rubble of Jerusalem's walls serves as a physical reminder of the city's past sins and the need for restoration and repentance. The prophets often used the imagery of rubble to convey messages of judgment. In Isaiah 25:2 , the prophet declares, "Indeed, You have made the city a heap of rubble, a fortified city a ruin, the fortress of foreigners a city no more; it will never be rebuilt." Here, rubble symbolizes the complete and irreversible judgment of God upon the nations that oppose Him. In a broader theological sense, rubble can also represent the brokenness of human life without God. The destruction and chaos symbolized by rubble highlight the need for divine intervention and the hope of restoration through God's power and grace. Doorways In the Bible, doorways often symbolize transition, opportunity, and the threshold between different states of being or spiritual conditions. They can represent both physical and spiritual passages, marking moments of decision, change, or divine encounter. One of the most significant uses of the doorway metaphor is found in Revelation 3:20 , where Jesus says, "Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in and dine with him, and he with Me." This passage illustrates the doorway as a point of spiritual decision, where individuals are invited to open their hearts to Christ and enter into fellowship with Him. In the Old Testament, doorways also play a crucial role in the Passover narrative. In Exodus 12:7 , the Israelites are instructed to "take some of the blood and put it on the two doorposts and on the lintel of the houses in which they eat the lamb." The blood on the doorways serves as a sign of protection, marking the homes of the faithful and sparing them from the plague of the firstborn. Doorways can also signify divine protection and security. In Psalm 84:10 , the psalmist declares, "For a day in Your courts is better than a thousand elsewhere; I would rather stand at the threshold of the house of my God than dwell in the tents of the wicked." Here, the doorway represents the nearness to God's presence and the safety found in His dwelling. Throughout Scripture, doorways are rich with symbolic meaning, representing moments of choice, divine protection, and the invitation to enter into a deeper relationship with God. |