These three chapters of the Bible's book of Joshua detail the boundaries of all the lands given to the various tribes of Israel. I imagine these records will be referenced from time to time when disputes about who owns what arise among the tribes of Israel. Chapter 15 ends with this problematic verse:
Judah could not
dislodge the Jebusites, who were living in Jerusalem; to this day the
Jebusites live there with the people of Judah. (Joshua 15:63)
Why is Judah unable to defeat the Jebusites? To this point in the Bible's story nobody is able to withstand the troops led by Joshua. The claim is that the LORD fights for them. Does not the LORD fight against the Jebusites, then? Is Joshua growing lax in carrying out orders to put all enemies to the sword, or is there some other issue preventing the completion of the command to destroy all inhabitants in the land promised to the Hebrews?
And furthermore, what is the risk of Jebusites living together with the people of Judah? Does this situation foreshadow trouble in Judah's future?
Let's continue to read the biblical story and see...
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