The Great Wall of China Filling the Gap

When traveling to distant lands, new sights and experiences can make a great impact even though the local population has grown accustomed to the same things. When the traveler is a disciple of Christ, the new sights will often start him reflecting on aspects of life in the Truth. The following contribution was occasioned by a trip to China enjoyed by Bro. and Sis. Horace Macpherson of Victoria, BC.

It is an awesome sight to stand on the Great Wall of China as it stretches in serpent-like fashion over hills and down valleys to disappear on the horizon. Nearly 2,000 miles long, it is termed the stony serpent by the local inhabitants, who also call it the longest graveyard in the world.

The wall had its beginning 200 years before the birth of Christ when China was still divided into many independent provinces. During that time, individual walls were built by those provinces exposed to the ferocious Mongolians who swept down from the northern mountains.

Eventually one powerful Chinese ruler arose who united the various provinces under his rule. Credit is given to him for setting in motion new laws and currency and a new language. Furthermore, history remembers him for “filling the gap.” A command went out to each province that the walls must be joined together, thus filling the gaps that existed. To achieve this colossal project, each family had to give one member of its family for life to the wall.

That individual became a part of the wall. He worked on it during his lifetime and in death was buried in the wall.

Standing on the wall, we observed the tall towers stationed at regular intervals. These are the watchtowers where signals were sent by puffs of smoke. The signals warned others that danger was approaching and they needed to rally forces to a given spot.

The signal system reminded us of the words of Ezekiel 33:7: “I have set thee a watchman unto the house of Israel.” The wall stretching from tower to tower spoke to us of the ties of the brotherhood which reach from ecclesia to ecclesia throughout the world.

As we walked the wall, we could see sections and towers in need of repair and thought of the admonition to “Strengthen the things that remain.” Constant repair takes place on the Great Wall, with workers toiling long in the heat of the day. At Bible schools, study weekends and week after week at ecclesial meetings our towers and walls are being repaired.

The wall speaks, too, of many who have passed away in their toil and how new workers must take up the task of shoring the defenses. Young brothers and sisters are continually needed to grow strong in their ability to maintain our links and our ecclesias.

The wall also reminded us of the work of Nehemiah in repairing the wall of Jerusalem. Nehemiah reminded the people of the good hand of God upon them. He spoke of “the words which the king had said, and the people said, Let us rise up and build. So they strengthened their hands for this good work” (Neh. 2:18).

Looking at the encroaching hills, we thought how the enemy would always have been lurking nearby just below the brow of the hill. As soon as they were spotted, the warning signal was issued. The same is true for us when we see dangers encroaching into our ecclesias or into our lives. The enemy can be sickness or financial trouble or perhaps family strife.

May it be that young and old are prepared to fill the gaps in the wall and to keep it in continuous repair. And when the signal goes up may we be ready to rally in defense. But may it never be said of us, “I sought for a man among them, that should make up the hedge, and stand in the gap before me in the land, that I should not destroy it, but I found none.”