Bible Study - Joshua 15

S - But the Jebusites, the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the people of Judah could not drive out, so the Jebusites dwell with the people of Judah at Jerusalem to this day. 

Joshua 15:63 ESV

O - Commentary:

Even though Jerusalem was assigned to the tribe of Benjamin (18:28), it was not conquered in Joshua’s day. • to this day: The Jebusites’ continued presence later caused Judah trouble (Judg 1:21).

New Living Translation Study Bible (Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., 2008), Jos 15:63.

A — Why did God tell Joshua to wipe out everything in the city? Because a remnant never stays quiet for long. Leave even a small piece of the old life standing, and it doesn't just sit there — it moves back in. That's exactly what happened here. Judah didn't finish the job, and the Jebusites didn't disappear. They dwelt right there in Jerusalem, "to this day." That's how sin works in us too. The thing you managed instead of destroyed? It's still dwelling with you. Still has an address in your life. God isn't asking you to negotiate with sin, tolerate it, or keep it contained in one corner of the city. He's asking you to drive it out — completely. Because whatever you don't finish off today will be picking a fight with you tomorrow.

R — Heavenly Father, You are a jealous God, and I mean that as praise — You don't want a remnant of my heart, You want the whole city. Give me a conqueror's resolve, not a settler's compromise. Show me what I've let dwell with me that You already told me to remove. Strengthen me to finish what I've been putting off. I don't want to just occupy this land, Lord — I want every square inch of it fully Yours. In Jesus' name, Amen.