“They went into the ark with Noah, two and two of all flesh in which there was the breath of life. …And the LORD shut him in.” Genesis 7:15-16
The permanently closed door at the top of the stairs held an irresistible fascination for all of us grandkids. What was behind the closed door? What deep dark family secrets were shut in that room? Why was there a hook-and-eye lock at the very top of the door…on the outside of the door? Was something or someone living in that room or being held prisoner?
These were some of the many whispered questions we would ask one another when our families gathered for holidays at the old farmhouse. We (the cousins) would sneak up the stairs and then carefully inspect the closed door to see if there were any new scratches, claw marks, or evidence of having been opened since our last visit and examination of the old door. Then we would gather in the bedroom across the hall. Sitting cross-legged and scrunched together on the sagging double bed, we’d discuss our theories and invent wild stories about the room behind the closed door.
Of course, we could have asked our grandmother about the locked door and the contents of the room but that would have destroyed the illusion of mystery…and all the fun.
Closed doors.
They pique our curiosity. They create questions. They make us wonder if we are missing out on something good, special, or exciting that doesn’t exist on our side of the closed door. Closed doors can make us feel excluded, unwanted, and left behind.
Closed doors are compelling, especially if at first, we thought they were open to us. What appeared to be an open door to a new relationship, a career advancement opportunity, an exciting ministry direction, or the fulfillment of a long-held personal goal or dream turned out to be a closed door. Securely, decidedly shut. Locked even.
Cue the onset of disappointment, depression, feelings of rejection, and even resentment.
Maybe it’s time we rethink the way we look at Closed Doors.
Our first example of the Closed Door is found in Genesis chapter 7. Noah, a righteous and godly man (Genesis 6:8-9), had completed the enormous task of building the Ark and gathering the animals as instructed by God. (Genesis 6:13-22). At the beginning of chapter 7, God told Noah to take his family, the animals, and the flying and creeping creatures that had been gathered into the Ark.
For seven days, the new inhabitants of the Ark waited. Then Scripture says that God shut the door. (Genesis 7:16b)
– Behind the closed, massive door of the Ark was safety, deliverance, salvation, and hope for the future – the future of Noah’s family and the future of all mankind, living creatures, and creation itself.
– Outside the door were death, destruction, punishment, and judgment.
There are other examples of Closed Doors in Scripture, here are a few:
God sent two angels to rescue Lot and his family prior to the judgment and destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah. Late in the evening, the men of the city surrounded Lot’s home to demand access to the two visitors so the wicked men could abuse the men (angels). When Lot refused, the depraved crowd attempted to overpower Lot, but the angels of God grabbed Lot, pulled him inside, shut the door, and blinded the attackers. (Genesis 19:1-29)
– Behind the Closed Door, there was safety and protection.
– Outside the door was perversion, depravity, and desecration.
For the last of the ten plagues in Egypt, the Israelites were instructed to place the blood of a lamb on the lintel of the door and on the two side posts. Then the Israelites were to go into their homes, close the door and not exit their home until the morning hours lest they suffer the same consequences as the Egyptians – the death of the firstborn. (Exodus 12:1-50)
– Behind the Closed Door surrounded by blood, the Israelites were safe. There was life, the first celebration of Passover, and deliverance.
– Outside the door was death and great sorrow.
2 Kings 4:1-7 tells the story of a poor widow whose two sons were about to be taken away as slaves because there was no money to pay the family’s debts. The only thing of value belonging to the widow was a jar of oil. The prophet Elisha told the little family to borrow as many empty vessels as possible. When that task was done, he instructed the widow and her sons to enter their house, shut the door, and start pouring oil. Miraculously, the oil filled all the vessels, which were then sold to pay off the debt and support the family.
– Behind the Closed Door were obedience, provision, sustenance, and the means to save the widow’s sons from slavery.
– Outside the door was poverty, servitude, and a family that would have been torn apart.
The final Closed Door example that I’ll share is from the Parable of the Ten Virgins told by Jesus. Matthew 25:1-13
Jesus tells of ten bridesmaids (virgins); five are wise, and five are foolish. The bridegroom is delayed, and the hour has grown late. The five foolish bridesmaids have not brought enough oil to keep their lamps lit, which is a key part of their responsibility as bridesmaids. Their lamps are needed to light the dark streets as they travel with the bridal party back to the groom’s home for the wedding celebration.
So, the foolish bridesmaids ran to the lamp oil store to buy more oil, but they didn’t return in time to meet the bridegroom. The bridal party had already made its way to the bridegroom’s home for the grand celebration. The door was shut, and the foolish bridesmaids were left out in the night.
– Behind the Closed Door, there was a joyful celebration with the bride and groom. The place was filled with light, laughter, joy, love, and happiness. It was a rewarding time of fellowship with the bridegroom for those who remained diligent in their responsibilities and faithful to their service.
– Outside the door were those unfit for the celebration and unfaithful to the tasks they were given.
We may see Closed Doors as times of failure, opportunities lost, and maybe even punishment. When in fact many times, Closed Doors are the opportunities!
God is working great things in you, around you, and for you behind that Closed Door.
When God shuts the door, you can be sure that God’s protection, blessings, and spiritual growth are on your side of the Closed Door.
God knows what is on the other side of the door. What looks to you like a great opportunity may not be God’s best for you at that moment.
Let me say that another way: When God closes the door on what looks to you like a great opportunity, you can be sure that it is NOT God’s best for you at that moment – maybe later, maybe never – but definitely not in that moment!
When it seems that a door has been closed and you don’t understand, talk to your Father:
“But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.” Matthew 6:6