Today’s Reading: Joshua 18
When the children of
Israel first crossed the Jordan, they initially set up the Tabernacle at Gilgal,
a convenient place because it was just across the river. But now, after subduing the Land, they move
their worship center to Shiloh. Shiloh
was westward from the Jordan and located about 30 miles north of Jerusalem. Shiloh was located at the geographic center
of the Promised Land. From this location,
the worship center could be easily accessed by all of Israel’s tribes. The
Tabernacle would remain at this location for nearly 300 years until the
Philistines attacked and destroyed the city (See 1 Samuel 4:1-11). This would be the place for the spiritual
gathering of the people.
It is believed that Joshua himself, acting under direct revelation from God, gave the town its name. “Shiloh” is a Messianic word that is first mentioned in Genesis 49:10, “The scepter shall not depart from Judah, nor a lawgiver from between his feet, until Shiloh comes; and to Him shall be the obedience of the people.” We recognize this as one of the greatest Messianic prophecies of the entire Bible, referring to the Person who would be the future King of Israel (Jesus Christ) . The name of this town would be a constant reminder to the nation of God’s promises to send the Rescuer and Redeemer to save the people. This glorious Messianic word was applied to the site of the Holy Tabernacle, because the Tabernacle itself, with its High Priest, its numerous sacrifices, and its focus on the LORD was typical of Messiah himself.
It was totally
appropriate that this town be located at the center of Israel and be
established as the worship center for the Nation. Its centrality communicates that worship of
God must always be the heart of their national identity. Worship of God must be the epicenter of all
that they are and all that they do.
In like manner, our worship of God must never be an afterthought or just a Sunday morning routine. Our worship of God must be the epicenter of all that we are and all that we do. We must recognize that assembling together at the place for worship is our most awesome privilege and opportunity to connect directly with God, with our Messiah, and with His people. Jesus would later on remind us that “God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth." (John 4:24). Our Shiloh is not a geographic location, but that place at the center of our heart where we “worship and bow down; Let us kneel before the Lord our Maker.” (Psalm 95:6) Like Israel, Shiloh – not the place – but the Person, is our worship center.
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