“Then the lot for the sons of Joseph went from the Jordan at Jericho to the waters of Jericho on the east into the wilderness, going up from Jericho through the hill country to Bethel. It went from Bethel to Luz, and continued to the border of the Archites at Ataroth. It went down westward to the territory of the Japhletites, as far as the territory of lower Beth-horon even to Gezer, and it ended at the sea.” Joshua 16:1-3 NASB1995
We were talking yesterday about how Judah was not able to take care of the Jebusites and get them out of the land, but later, through the kingdom of David, they were taken out. It was David who challenged the people and the Gebusites were routed out through going into a water tunnel.
This is a picture of Jesus, who would come from the royal line of David. He would conquer sin, and we can also conquer sin by remaining in the living water. He is our source of power to overcome the evil one.
Now we see an allotment given to the sons of Joseph. Joseph is another type or picture of Jesus. In Him, we are His sons and daughters. Jericho means descended from. I think we are getting a word picture. Bethel means “house of God”. Luz is a representation of a tree, and it is where the Lord appeared in order to bless.
As I looked at all the other cities named in this passage, I believe we are getting a word picture of all that Jesus did for us. We are sons and daughters of Jesus and He conquered for us. However, we must believe what has been already accomplished in order to walk in His truth.
We all have areas that we struggle to believe. However, with our whole hearts, do we want to believe? Are we willing to allow Jesus to route out the strongholds in our lives so that we can walk in all that He has given us? Remember, the Israelites never took possession of all that the Lord had for them.