All of Joshua 15 is devoted to the land given to the tribe of Judah. It’s described in great detail. But the dividing of the land did not mean that the battles were over. They had been given the land, now they had to “possess” the land. Verse 63 ends on a rather sad note: “The people of Judah could not drive out the Jebusites.” The Land was officially theirs, but they never completely possessed it. It’s worth noting that David finally drove them out and made Jerusalem the Capital of the Israeli nation.

Sometimes we too, as Christians, don’t possess our possessions. God has already given us all we need. 2 Peter 1:3 says, “His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness, through our knowledge of Him who called us by his own glory and goodness.” I seldom live like I have all I need for life and godliness.” I haven’t truly possessed all my possessions.

The Israelites were given Canaan, but had to possess it mile by mile, yard by yard, and inch by inch. As a great allegory of the Christian life, we’re in the same situation. There are still “Jebusites” that I have not been able to drive out. Boice says “But we enter into them (our blessings through our inheritance in Christ) “only to the extent that we come to understand and appropriate the Bible, draw close to and obey the Lord Jesus Christ, and actually serve others with the gifts we are given.”

Those distractions that keep me from God’s Word are my Jebusites. As are those that keep me from obedience in various areas of my life and keep me from taking time to serve others.

New Year’s Resolution: Drive out a few Jebusites. Want to join me?

Chuck
“And you are included among those Gentiles who have been called to belong to Jesus Christ.” Romans 1:6