Scripture Passage:  And the king and his men went to Jerusalem unto the Jebusites, the inhabitants of the land: which spoke unto David saying, “Except you take away the blind and the lame, you shall not come in here,” thinking, David cannot come in here.  II Samuel 5:6

 

Dear Friends,

 

     In all the world, no city is held in such high reverence as the city of Jerusalem.  It is revered by Jews, Christians, and Muslims alike.  Scholars believe this site to be the same as Salem in the time of Abraham.  The high priest Melchizedek received offerings from Abraham after his victory over the kings.  Genesis 14:18-20   Hebrews 7:1-2    The city of Jerusalem is mentioned directly in the Bible for the first time during the struggle of Joshua and the Israelites to take the land of Canaan.   Joshua 10: 1-4    They could not completely conquer the city and the remaining inhabitants were Jebusites, so the city was called Jebus.  Judges 19:10-11

 

 

     The city sets atop two triangle shaped ridges which converge to the south.  On the east side lay the Kidron Valley.  On the west side lay the Valley Of Hinnom.  The two valleys converge at the southern border of the city.  That only left the northern border of the city vulnerable to attack.  The city is watered by a natural spring that flows from the Kidron Valley called Gihon Spring.  This spring is hidden and during the time of Hezekiah, its waters were diverted underground so that it flowed into the city.  The city would have water when invading armies would not.

 

     Jerusalem is located 2,500 feet above sea-level and 37 miles from the Mediterranean Sea.  It is 14 miles from the northern end of the Dead Sea.  Because of the difficult topography, it was not included in trade routes of the time.  The land surrounding Jerusalem is relatively infertile so crops and produce would have to be brought in.  David probably chose this area to be the capital city of his kingdom because if it’s central location.  All twelve tribes of Israel would be united and the city would be easy to defend against attack.  When David captured the city, he built his house on the citadel that had been the stronghold of the Jebusites.  This became known as the City of David and the entire southeast hill is called Zion.  The Jewish race today is referred to as “Zionist” because of their continuing return to Jerusalem as their homeland and capital.  To Jew and Christian alike there is no other city that stirs the emotions like Jerusalem – “The City of God.”

 

In Christ,

Pastor Johnny