Prophet Habakkuk asked the Lord in anguish, “Why do you make men like fish of the sea, like creeping things that have no ruler over them?” (1:14) “The seemingly random fate that befalls fish and animals, one killing another, is the only thing to which Habakkuk could compare a more evil nation harming a less evil nation”. (New Spirit-filled Life Bible) Indeed, without knowing God (i.e. with the eternal life in focus), it is difficult not to wonder this way.
The Jerusalem Fish Gate Rebuilding in Nehemiah 3 gave the watchman a fresh picture of God.
Revelation One: God has a good plan for men (Jeremiah 29:11-14 “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope..”) despite the fact that we tend to behave like fish, enjoying the vast freedom of the sea, yet remain ignorant and blinded to the immense danger of the freedom of choices. The fisherman’s net, other predator fishes, polluted waters, other living creatures, men’s excessive profit-making activities (due to greed, lack of foresight, and disobedience and rebellion of men against God’s plumb line, resulting all sorts of wickedness and evil conduct) etc are common examples.
Revelation Two: Lord Yeshua (Jesus), the Son of God who came in the flesh as man, favored humble people like fisherman as He called several of them to be His Apostles. He declared prophetically, “Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men!” (Matt.4:19) Indeed, He later filled them with the Holy Spirit (the Spirit of Christ) and they became great fishers. In one preaching and witnessing for the risen Yeshua Christ, they brought three thousands to repent, turn away from their wicked ways and turn to Yeshua as their Lord and Savior. (Acts 2:41)
Revelation Three: God’s plan is to bring many fishes (nations) to flow back to Him and there will be no more war (Micah 4:1-3). He spoke through the prophets on this goal. In Isaiah 19:23-25, the prophecy is that Egypt, Assyria and Israel will one day worship the same God as one, the Lord of hosts will bless them and make them a blessing in the midst of the land.
Revelation Four: Guess what was the first profession called to be disciples of Yeshua? Fisherman. What was the last profession mentioned when describing the New Jerusalem Temple (as in the vision of Ezekiel)? Fisherman. Ezekiel 47 described water flowing from under the threshold of the temple toward the east, which goes down into the valley, and enters the sea. When it reaches the sea, its waters are healed. There will be a very great multitude of fish and they will be healed, and everything will live wherever the river goes. There will be places for fishermen to spread their nets. The fish will be of the same kind as the fish of the Great Sea, exceeding many. (Ezekiel 47:1-10) Also read Revelation 22:1-2.
Jeremiah 16:16 “Behold, I will send for many fishermen,” says the LORD, “and they shall fish them; and afterward I will send for many hunters, and they shall hunt them from every mountain and every hill, and out of the holes of the rocks. (Lost sheep/fish, how not to be found by the Lord?)
Nehemiah 3:3-5 Fish Gate Re-Builder Group: The watchman uses Pink color cloth for this class group to rebuild their section of the walls (signifies blood of the Lamb; be fishers of souls – sharing the Gospel)
The names of the original builders are interesting and prophetic: Sons of Hassenaah (lifted up), people of Tekoa (more faithful & willing to do hard labor for God than their leaders; Prophet Amos ‘burden-bearer‘ is their country man), Meremoth (elevation), Meshullam (friend), Zadok (just).
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