July 29, 2018

The Stronghold of Zion

“And the king and his men went to Jerusalem against the Jebusites, the inhabitants of the land: who spoke to David, saying, ‘you shall not come in here; but the blind and the lame will repel you, thinking, David can come not come in here.’  Nevertheless, David took the stronghold of Zion.”  2 Samuel 5:6-7

Salem is the abbreviated original name for Jerusalem.  Its meaning is “peace.”  Its full name was the Babylonian Uru-Salim, which was shortened to Salem, as it appears in Genesis 14:18:  “And Melchizedek, king of Salem, brought forth bread and wine; and he was the priest of the most high God.”  The first king of Jerusalem we read of in the Bible is Melchizedek.  He was a king and a priest, according to verse 14 above.  The name Melchizedek means “My King is Righteousness.”  David went on to become a king and a priest, establishing the political and spiritual kingdom at Jerusalem.  Jesus walked among men and entered the city of Jerusalem as king, according to Matthew 21:9-10.  He was, and is, our King and Priest.  The Holy Spirit was received at Jerusalem as promised by Jesus in Acts 1:4.  We are kings and priests through the power of the Holy Spirit.  There is a day believers long for – the day described in Revelation 21:1-2, which is the day of the new heaven, the new earth, the New Jerusalem!  Ours is indeed a priesthood after the order of Melchizedek, King of Salem! 

Jebus was the name assigned to Jerusalem following the conquest of that city by Adoni-zedek, leader of the Jebusites.  Jebus has the meaning of “a place trodden down”, so as to indicate a threshing place, or place under foot.  Other scholars define Jebus as “the waterless hill.”  The Jebusites are typically considered as one of the seven nations of Canaan, instructed by God to be driven out of Canaan.  As history reveals, the Israelites were repeatedly disobedient in that regard.  The Jebusites were a mountain tribe, according to Numbers 13:29.  The tribe was considered part of “the giants” Israel would be facing if it was to try and enter the Promised Land of Canaan.  As the twelve spies sent out by Moses returned, the report of ten was fearful.  The report of two, Joshua and Caleb, was faithful.  Israel chose not to enter the land; the result was forty years in the wilderness.    It is noteworthy that Canaan is a symbol of an inheritance gained by warfare. 

Joshua led Israel into the Promised Land and the first chapter of the Book of Judges depicts the partial obedience of Israel in fighting against the Canaanites following Joshua’s death.  In Judges 1:21 we read the about the tribe of Benajmin:  “And the children of Benjamin did not drive out the Jebusites that inhabited Jerusalem; but the Jebusites dwell with the children of Benjamin unto this day.”   Even though God was clear in requiring the elimination of the nations of Canaan completely, the people of Israel failed to fulfill that command.  As a result, the Jebusites regained control over Jebus until the time of David’s military capture of the city.

David’s courage and obedience was a key to seizing his inheritance.