As Israel’s new King, one of the first items on David’s to-do list included conquering Jerusalem. Jerusalem was centrally located within the land of Israel. King David wanted to be actively involved in the center of the activities of the nation. He would be equally accessible to all of his people in this location. The fortified area was perfect for David to establish as his capitol.
Since Israel first came to occupy the promised land, Jerusalem was never conquered. The Jebusites possessed control of that territory. This situation is about to change. Soon we hear that David and his armies are marching in that direction. Their plan is to attack the Jebusites and conquer the heavily fortified area.
CHANGING THE LANDSCAPE
The Jebusites were pagans through and through. Their idols dotted this fortress. God had long ago commanded Israel to expel them from the land. Now David was determined to remove them from his inheritance. Destroying the Jebusites was critical if Israel is to finally become the fruitful land of God instead of a pagan playground.
A merciful God had given the Jebusites years to repent. They had not. David saw that Jerusalem needed to be conquered even before he took control of the nation. So, his heart was set on conquering Jerusalem. His first plan of action was one of taking this amazing fortress away from the enemies of God.
On the other hand, the arrogant Jebusites were very haughty and completely confident no one would manage to penetrate their wall or conquer their territory. The people did not spend a moment worrying that Israel would run them out of the fortress they had held for so long. The Jebusites had no fear of the God of Israel. They bragged that even “the lame and the blind” could hold off any attack of David on their fortress.
THE LAME AND THE BLIND
In other words, the Jebusites assumed even the very weakest of their people could easily defend them against David’s army. They taunted David with these hateful, insinuating words. These violent enemies clearly wanted their taunts to demoralize Israel’s armies. This type of hatred was a common tactic of war in that particular culture. It is certain that David, as a seasoned warrior, was well aware of their capabilities. Yet, he did not fear.
Understanding this aspect of the Jebusite culture helps me to understand the cancel culture experienced by many of God’s faithful today. We must be strong and confident in God’s power to overcome all forces that try to rise up against us.
David had no fear. He knew that God was in control. All these enemies of God could use was a type of psychology which any spiritually intelligent person should be able to see. They wanted to play with David’s army’s minds. However, God already had control of their hearts. The workings of the heart will always manage to take prescience over the working of the mind. Perhaps that is why Yeshua reminds us later when speaking of the commandments that the “greatest of these is love.”
I’m amused at the similarity of David’s actions here. His past matches his present. That is because this now grown King is still following the same proven game plan he used as a young shepherd boy. He was older, but his faith in God’s ability to help him had only grown stronger. If God was for him, who could stand against him? David never made a move without consulting with God first. The new King showed no fear of these terrible Jebusites.
MEASURE-FOR-MEASURE
Being very confident that God was with him, David never considered the size, location or past victories of these famous and intimidating enemies. He only considered the power and might of the God he served. David could not be humiliated by the words the Jebusites used against his valiant army. Soon their foolish words would be proven wrong.
I am reminded of an old saying, “sticks and stones can break my bones, but words will never hurt me.” This concept became the mindset of David in this battle. This situation is a perfect example of an ancient principle God sometimes choses to use in judgments. Biblical scholars have fondly labeled this concept. They call it “measure-for-measure.”
THE BALANCE OF JUSTICE AND MERCY
This “measure-for-measure” concept says whatever you measure out to others will be dealt back to you in the end. It seems to be a law of the universe. What you deal out to others will return back to you. This can be good or bad, depending on your circumstances. In the case of the Jebusites, it was very bad.
The concept of measure-for-measure is so interesting that one of Shakespeare’s plays from the 1600’s exposed how the pattern typically works. Only a few years ago The Royal Shakespeare Company performed this play in a great Broadway reproduction. The production was very well received with excellent reviews.
Like all of Shakespeare’s plays, this production makes you think beyond the surface. The brilliant script gives the observant viewer the jest of what really matters. Often we find ourselves very surprised at the ironic truth we can only see at the end of the story.
THE BALANCING ACT
The play proves a point which is typical to so many of the stories we find written in the scriptures. It beacons for all of us to understand the delicate balance between justice and mercy.
Another such example would be the biblical story of the woman caught in adultery. In a measure-for-measure judgment, the punishment given is always measured out by the amount of sin committed.
People ponder the question of what Jesus was writing in the sand on that day. Some say it was the names of her accusers. I think He might have been drawing a scale, the scale which represents justice. Jesus knew that mercy must be added to this particular judgment. In saying, “Let the one of you who has not sinned cast the first stone” Jesus brought the balance that we needed in this decision.
Jesus certainly knew how to change a bad situation. We all could take note. David too had learned this lesson well. He knew how to turn things around with God’s help. Here we see how this mighty King turned the taunting words of the Jebusites right back upon their own heads. He told his men that all Jebusites were as if they were ‘lame and blind.’
STRIKING THROUGH THE WATER TUNNEL
In his anger at these hateful words, David challenged the top military generals of his army. He promised that anyone who could successfully capture the Jebusite fortress would be offered the position of the chief commander of his army.
History records the fact that Joab stepped up to the plate. So it was that Joab coordinated the attack on the Jebusites. His tactic was to sneak up on them through the water conduit. Joab was familiar with the way the Jebusites carried out battles. They were notorious for sneaking up behind the weakest people of their enemies. By eliminating the weak first, they cut the numbers down to a smaller battle. (Here again we see examples of “the lame and the blind.) In other words Joab used the measure-for-measure tactic of battle. He used his enemies crimes against them.
The Jebusites would not be suspecting that anyone would take the difficult route of the water shaft into their fortress. They would be watching for David’s armies to approach from the fields and climb over their walls. With Joab in command, David advised his army to strike those ‘lame and blind’ people by creeping into the city through way of the water tunnel. They didn’t even have to open a gate. The army of Israel walked right into the city while the people slept in their beds. No one suspected a thing.
WATCHING THE WATERS FLOW
The word for “water conduit” in Hebrew is “tsinnor.” This use of the water conduit factored heavily into Israel’s success in conquering Jerusalem. The importance of the use of this water tunnel made me consider some spiritual parallels of this story. How often have we seen scripture passages describing the work of God’s Holy Spirit being like the concept of water?
I think of John 7:37-39 which states, Now on the last day, the great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, “If anyone is thirsty, let him come to Me and drink. He who believes in Me, as the Scripture said, ‘From his innermost being will flow rivers of living water.’” But this He spoke of the Spirit, whom those who believed in Him were to receive; for the Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus was not yet glorified.
Isaiah 44:3 says, ‘For I will pour out water on the thirsty land and streams on the dry ground; I will pour out My Spirit on your offspring and My blessing on your descendants…‘
John 4:14, “But whoever drinks of the water that I will give him shall never thirst; but the water that I will give him will become in him a well of water springing up to eternal life.”
1 Corinthians 12:13, For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free, and we were all made to drink of one Spirit.
GOD’S SPIRIT WORKS IN THE WATERS
I could quote so many more passages in which the analogy of water is part of the teaching of what God is doing with His people. Here we see the same concept working through David as he begins his reign over Jerusalem.
The armies of Israel enter the soon to be capitol of David’s Kingship by the way of the waters. The whole story appears to be exactly as their ancient ancestors entered the wilderness when leaving Egypt and turning toward the hope of The Promised Land. First they had to cross the waters of the Red Sea. This seemed to be a very appropriate and symbolically correct way to take Jerusalem.
OTHER EXAMPLES
Another time we know that Joshua had to lead the people of God across the Jordan river before they could cross over to the Promised Land and enter its blessings. This same picture is portrayed in a story we know of Jacob, stopping in Bethel before crossing over the river to meet his fate with his brother. Each of these examples anticipated a battle on the other side of the river. Crossing the water first was part of God’s plan for their battles. This first step of filling up our spirits with God’s Holy Spirit is critical to every battle of life we will ever face.
Again, it is clear that these physical aspects for the taking of Jerusalem reflect the spiritual aspects of God’s perfect plan for Israel. The concept of measure-for-measure is played out by combining it with the use of water. It is the use of the water which changes the whole outcome of this battle. This aspect of adding in the use of the water gives us the spiritual hint we are seeking. Now we begin to understand. The way a person of God should balance justice and mercy can be determined through their walk with the water provided by God’s Holy Spirit. Here is truth. This is true and balanced justice.
EVIDENCE OF THE ANCIENT WATER TUNNEL
Let’s fast-forward to the modern day for just a moment. It is perhaps not so well-known that an archaeologist named Dr. Eilat Mazar and a group of college students have been digging up the ruins of the ancient City of David for years. In 2008 Mazar accidentally discovered a tunnel dating back to the 10th century BCE. It is thought that this could be the same tunnel used by David’s army for conquering Jerusalem. Much has been learned about the reign of David as King from the studies and discoveries of this site.
If you find archology interesting, just follow this link from The Armstrong Institute of Biblical Archology. https://armstronginstitute.org/9-did-king-david-conquer-jerusalem-using-this-tunnel.
A NEW SAYING IN ISRAEL
Soon there was a new saying in the land of Israel. It was, “The blind and the lame may not enter the house.” This meant, no one who was an enemy of Israel would be living in the palace in Zion.
After this famous battle was won “The blind and the lame may not enter the house” became a familiar saying against any of Israel’s enemies. It became well known in the land. The saying carried the meaning “we will never allow the enemy to get their way.“
Here again, thinking forward to modern-day Christianity, we see the spiritual truths reflecting out from the physical truths. As the church moves in God’s will today, we know we cannot let Satan gain ground or move into the territory of our mission for The Kingdom of God. In relation to that particular fact, we could use this same saying today. Here I recall an additional and similar New Testament scripture which says, “Do not let the devil gain a foothold.” (Ephesians 4:27.)
NO TWISTING OF WORDS PLEASE
Also, just in case you misunderstand the facts, the popular saying was never meant to imply that anyone with a disability or weakness would be excluded from the people of Israel or David’s Kingdom. We will prove this later when we talk more about Mephibosheth, who dined with David in the palace every day. He was lame in both feet.
Looking back on the days of the reign of King David, we know that David loved and honored Mephibosheth. He was a good shepherd to the nation who actually cared for the blind and the lame of his nation. David was a King that lived for the good of his people. His justice was always tempered with mercy.
SPIRITUAL HANDICAPS
There are physical handicaps and spiritual handicaps. Many people are spiritually lame and blind. They cannot open their eyes to the truth of God. Some will never learn to walk with the guidance of God’s Holy Spirit. In all of these cases, God is forever showing mercy. He will give all of the spiritually lame and blind a place at the table and show complete mercy for their handicap for as long as He possibly can.
God doesn’t wish for any of His creation to miss the opportunity for salvation. However much mercy is shown, there are still those stubborn ones who will never come to accept God’s will. They can dine at the Master’s table a million times and fail to see the banquet they have been offered. The scriptures call these the incorrigibly wicked.
For the sake of those who do open their eyes and learn to walk the Kingdom walk, God will bring judgement on these who are incorrigibly wicked. He will separate the sheep from the goats. In the end, if they do not turn, they will experience final justice and judgement. We can, however, rest assured that this justice will always be preceded with every opportunity for mercy. Everyone has free will. God doesn’t force us to accept His Kingdom. Some will chose to bring judgement upon themselves.
ZION IS CAPTURED, JERUSALEM IS CONQUERED
Though previously, the Jebusites seemed to be an unstoppable force, we learn that King David, with God’s help, successfully captured the fortress of Zion. At that point the fortress became known as the City of David.
Let us not fail to remember how skillfully King David conquered Jerusalem. In the way he took this fortress for Israel we see how David’s actions are a shadow of Yeshua’s love for us. Jesus taught that anyone who wanted to conquer Satan must move in the power and instruction of God’s Holy Spirit. The Spirit of God can turn any hopeless situation around.
With the battle plan using the water shaft entry, David implies that it would take a brave leader to lead the armies through such a plan. They would have to walk through the waters to get into the city. Isn’t that what we all must do when we follow God in baptism? Some say baptism is our Red Sea experience.
WATER CROSSING MOMENTS
This is true, but baptism is also our introduction to the fortress chosen by God. We must walk through the water in order to enter and possess the great city that is the center of a great Kingdom. It is the saving waters of God’s Holy Spirit that will give us the strength to conquer the tests of Satan which God sometimes allows to happen in this life.
We all get to experience that water crossing moment. David had the Jebusites. Moses had The Red Sea. Joshua had Jericho. The woman caught in adultery had her accusers. Esther had to face the King with her true identity. Jonah had to live in a fish for three days. Peter had to overcome his fears and put God first. Paul had to overcome the thorn in his flesh. Every generation has to walk through something and overcome. There is only one way – walk through the water.
WALK THROUGH THE WATER
Jesus says the same to us that King David used to instruct his men. If you want to be a leader in the Kingdom of God you are going to have to trust God and walk through the waters. You will never know what is on the other side or the dangers you could face along the way. It doesn’t matter. The other side is where the miracles will show up.
The miracles showed up for Israel when they were being led by Moses. They showed up for David when he realized the best way into the fortress was through the water. Perhaps David might have reflected on these past victories of Israel as he formed his plan of attack. The same sound logical plans will show up for us too, if we only follow our leader, Messiah.
We have a Messiah who can walk on the waters. He taught Peter to do the same. Being in God’s army means trusting Him for help to overcome our fears. This requires faith in our leader. It requires the courage that only God’s Holy Spirit can provide. David let this trust factor lead him. We can do it too.
TAKING THE LAND FOR GOD’S KINGDOM
Hopefully, none of the people of God lack the confidence to walk in the strength and power of God’s Holy Spirit. In victory we will take the land for The Kingdom of Heaven. As for Israel and the Jebusites, both sides were confident. In return for David throwing their own words back to them, the Jebusites said, “The ‘blind and the lame’ will not enter the palace.”
Later we realize how God proves exactly who the blind and the lame are in this battle. The Jebusites are defeated. King David’s army gives Israel another victorious, joyful and historical memory to celebrate.
PRAYER: Lord there is so much to learn from how you led David as King of Israel. Help us to grasp these lessons and put them to use for your Kingdom and the purposes you give to us. Please lead us through every battle we must face. We see how David brought justice with mercy. It is clear that you do not want your people to be fearful, but to follow Your Holy Spirit through the rough waters of this life. Help us, like David, to see how to move and conquer the land for your Kingdom. Help us not to be spiritually blind or lame, but to see and walk in the light of Your word and your ways. Amen.