Homilies on Joshua — Homily 21
Latin source: Origen, In Iesu Nave homiliae (Rufinus's Latin translation), from the public-domain critical text of W. A. Baehrens, GCS 30 = Origenes Werke VII (Leipzig, 1921); cross-checked against Migne PG 12. This English translation is released into the public domain.On the sons of Judah, who were unable to drive out the Jebusites from Jerusalem.
[§1] "The sons of Judah" wished "to drive out" or "to destroy" "the Jebusites from Jerusalem, and they could not"; on account of which "the Jebusites dwelt with the sons of Judah in Jerusalem down to the present day." Beginning from the letter, we wish to inquire of those who suppose that these things can stand according to the letter, what is meant when it says "down to the present day" — a phrase that holy Scripture always employs to signify by it the eternity of the age, as when it says: "do not depart from the Lord on this present day," that is, as long as the age stands. Let them show me, then, how the "Jebusite," as long as the age stands, "dwells with the sons of Judah in Jerusalem," seeing that not even the "sons of Judah" themselves "dwell in Jerusalem." Therefore neither can this be true, that "the Jebusites dwell with the Jews in Jerusalem," since not even they themselves dwell in it. But let us understand these things spiritually, taking up the parable of the Gospel which says concerning the "tares": "let both grow together, lest perchance, when you wish to root up the tares, you root up together with them the wheat also." As therefore in the Gospel "the tares are permitted to grow together with the wheat," in the same way here too in Jerusalem, that is, in the church, there are certain "Jebusites," those who lead an ignoble and degenerate life, who are perverse both in faith and in deeds and in their whole manner of conduct. For it is not possible that the church be purged to clarity while it is on earth, so that neither any impious person nor any sinner may be seen to remain in it, but that all in it be holy and blessed and in whom no stain of sin at all may be caught. But just as it is said concerning the "tares": "lest perchance, in rooting up the tares, you root up together with them the wheat also," so also it can be said concerning those in whom there are either doubtful or hidden sins. For we do not say concerning those who are manifestly and evidently criminal, that they should not be expelled from the church. Hear then the Scripture saying that: "the sons of Judah could not drive out the Jebusites, but they dwelt with them in Jerusalem down to the present day." Wherefore I beseech you who are faithful, that you so keep your life and conduct that you neither yourselves suffer scandal in anything nor cause scandal to others; but let it be to you a matter of highest zeal and highest caution, lest anyone polluted enter into this holy congregation of yours, lest any Jebusite dwell with you. For you see that the Scripture says that "the sons of Judah could not cast out the Jebusites from Jerusalem." Now "Jebusite" is interpreted as trampling. Grant, then, that we cannot "cast out" those who trample us: let us at least cast out those whom we can, whose sins are manifest. For where sin is not evident, we can "cast out" no one from the church, "lest perchance in rooting up the tares we root up together with them the wheat also."[§2] Yet it moves me that it said that they "could not cast out the Jebusites," that is, those who are interpreted as trampling. And therefore let us see who they are in the church that trample. Those, without doubt, of whom the Lord spoke in the Gospels: "do not give what is holy to the dogs, nor your pearls before swine, lest perchance they trample them under their feet and, turning, tear you to pieces." This, then, is the "Jebusite," the trampling, those who unworthily hear the word of God and, when they have heard it, neither depart as unbelievers nor remain as believers, but, having received the knowledge of the mysteries and having scrutinized the more secret things of our faith, "turning" afterward attack us, and by their contradictions "tear apart" our hearts, "trampling" the "pearls" of the Lord's word and staining the ornaments of faith. Concerning these, then, it is said that "the sons of Judah could not cast out the Jebusite from Jerusalem down to the present day." Something similar is written also concerning Ephraim; for the Scripture says: "and Ephraim did not drive out the Canaanite, who dwelt in Gazer; and the Canaanite dwelt in Ephraim down to the present day." "Ephraim" is interpreted as fructification. He therefore who bears fruit and grows in faith "cannot exterminate the Canaanite," the worst seed, the accursed seed, the seed ever shifting, ever uncertain; for this is what "Canaanite" is interpreted to mean. And it is certain that with him who bears fruit and grows, the "Canaanite" always "dwells"; for the stirrings of temptations never cease from him. But if you truly bear fruit in God and see someone of this sort restless, turbulent, shifting, know that he is a "Canaanite." And if you cannot cast him out of the church, because "the sons of Ephraim could not drive out the Canaanites," observe that which the Apostle admonishes, saying: "withdraw yourselves from every brother who walks restlessly." But since Solomon urges that "these things which we read be written on the heart in threefold manner," that also, besides those things which we have said, which occurs to my heart, I shall bring forth to your ears, and do you that which is written, that while one speaks the rest may examine. While I therefore speak what I feel, do you discern and examine whether it is right or less than right. Concerning Jerusalem we have frequently said that it is interpreted as vision of peace. If therefore in our heart Jerusalem has been built, that is, if the vision of peace has been founded in our heart and we always gaze upon Christ, who is "our peace," and keep him in our heart — if indeed we are so fixed and stable in this vision of peace that never at all does any evil thought or counsel of any sin ascend into our heart, if this could so come to pass, we could say that we are in Jerusalem and that no other dwells with us except only those who are holy. But now, since — even if we come to great progress and cultivate ourselves with the highest zeal — nevertheless I do not think that so much purity comes to anyone's heart that he is never stained by the contagion of an adverse thought, it is certain that "the Jebusites also dwell with the sons of Judah in Jerusalem." Yet we do not say these things in order that we should neglect, as much as can be done, to "cast them out," but we must labor enough and attempt daily to "cast them out" of Jerusalem; but, as it is written, we cannot "cast out" all of them at once. And this same thing must also be understood concerning those who bear fruit, who are named sons of "Ephraim," who likewise ought always to cast out of their souls the "Canaanites," the wandering and slippery thoughts. But God is able, who may subject to us both the "Jebusites" and the "Canaanites," as it is written: "and he subjected the Canaanites to the sons of Ephraim." Let us therefore beseech the Lord himself, that, casting from us "evil thoughts," he may bring in good ones, worthy of "Jerusalem the heavenly city," in which nothing polluted or filthy may be found, which might accuse us on the day of judgment from the thoughts of conscience, but that there may be found in us purity of heart in Christ Jesus our Lord, "to whom is glory and dominion unto the ages of ages. Amen!"