In Bible days, the city gate was significant for several reasons. It was the place for monitoring the security of the city. It was typical for watchmen to stand by the tower to have a far ranging view of the surroundings. If they spotted any danger or invading army, they blew the trumpet to alarm the city and mobilize for defense. In another sense, the city gate was a place for secret service to gather information. It was at the gate that Mordecai gathered the intel that two of the king’s chamberlains were planning to kill him. By relaying the information to appropriate quarters, he secured the life of the king from the hand of the plotters.

One business lesson is this: conduct your affairs in the officially designated place.

Moreover, the city gate was a place for conducting important transactions. “Now Boaz went up to the gate and sat down there; and behold, the close relative of whom Boaz had spoken came by. So Boaz said, “Come aside, friend, sit down here.” So he came aside and sat down. And he took ten men of the elders of the city, and said, “Sit down here.” So they sat down.” Ruth 4:1-2 NKJV. In order to facilitate his marriage to Ruth, Boaz brought all the relevant persons to the gate. In this light, we see Abraham tidy the purchase of the land at the gate of the city. One business lesson is this: conduct your affairs in the officially designated place.