Exceptions

"Now as for the Jebusites, the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the sons of Judah could not drive them out; so the Jebusites live with the sons of Judah at Jerusalem until this day... But they did not drive out the Canaanites who lived in Gezer, so the Canaanites live in the midst of Ephraim to this day, and they became forced laborers." -Joshua 15.63; 16.10

The land is being divided, and the tribes of Israel are each being given their share. Judah and Manasseh are the first tribes to be given land west of the Jordan, but the final verse of each chapter shows an exception. Judah could not drive the Jebusites from Jerusalem, and Manasseh did not drive the Canaanites from Gezer. Both of these groups remained alive within the borders of the land given to these tribes, and with them, the opportunity for them to influence Israel away from God.

It is said that Judah could not drive them out. Maybe they tried to do it alone and failed. Jerusalem is a very well placed city that is very difficult to attack. But for whatever reason the Jebusites remained there. It says that Manasseh did not drive them out. Instead the Canaanites became their servants. God commanded Israel to destroy the nations of the Promised Land, and for the third time now, some of them have been allowed to remain alive.

Men, do you make exceptions in your life? For one reason or another do you allow something to remain that God has instructed you to get rid of? It will only result in your destruction. One traitor within the walls is all that it takes to open the gate for the enemy army to enter in. One exception is all that it takes to compromise all of your integrity and resolve.

Let us be men who make no exceptions. Let us fully obey God and remove every aspect of sin from our lives.

"Iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another."

To God alone be the Glory!

Strength and Honor