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Joshua 15:63, Judah could not dislodge the Jebusites, who were living in Jerusalem; to this day the Jebusites live there with the people of Judah.

The inheritance of the tribe of Judah, including its boundaries and cities, are described in painstaking detail in Joshua 15.  There is also a brief narrative in the middle of the chapter about Caleb’s second inheritance.  I’m not going to go over it much here but it’s an interesting read.  Caleb offers his daughter in marriage to the person who defeats the people of Kiriath Sephur.  After a brief interaction with his daughter, in which she asks for springs of water to go along with their land, the listing of details continues.

Our focus verse for today is the final verse of the chapter.  It states that the tribe of Judah was unable to defeat the Jubusites, a group of people who lived in Jerusalem.  This just leaves one to wonder.  In all other battles, God clearly stood on the side of the Israelites, ensuring they had total and complete victory.  What was different here?  For some reason, the tribe of Judah settled.  They seemed resigned to the idea that the Jebusites would remain part of the landscape.  Of course, we know that allowing the pagan people to remain in the land could prove dangerous.  The Israelites were easily tempted to fall into a pattern of idolatry. 

By the time of King David (roughly 1000 BC), the Jebusites are defeated and that all of Jerusalem belongs to Israel.  I guess we will soon find out how having pagans living in their midst affects the faith of the inhabitants of Jerusalem.

Let’s pray…Lord, Help us stay strong in our faith.  Just like the Israelites, we are tempted by so many things in our world that get in the way of our relationship with you.  Help us have laser focus on the things of Jesus.  We love you!  In Jesus’ Name, Amen.