2 Tim 2:15 "Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth."
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NEW METHOD OF SETTING BOUNDARIES
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 7
Joshua 18:1-10
Genesis 49:8-10
“The sceptre shall not depart from
Judah, nor a lawgiver from between
his feet, until Shiloh come…”
NEW METHOD OF SETTING BOUNDARIES
Israel’s first stop when they entered Canaan was Gilgal. Then they moved to Shiloh, a city in the land allocated to Ephraim. This made the city a religious centre of Israel for a long time to come. In Joshua 8, Joshua continued subdividing the land and setting boundaries. There were then seven tribes that had not received inheritance. Joshua appointed men to survey the land and to give him the description. They did so and Joshua cast lots for the remaining tribes that had not received inheritance. Joshua and all the tribes could not settle down before all the others had received their part. It was their obligation to settle all in the land.
The whole congregation moved to Shiloh. The name of the city means tranquillity or rest. The name of the city Shiloh was significant because of Jacob’s prophetic blessings to Judah. He made reference to this name as referring to the Messiah, the Anointed One. It remained a religious centre of Israel throughout the period of the judges, up to the time of Eli the priest. It was situated north of Bethel, and Israel camped there because Joshua had identified it as a suitable place. No explanation was given for this move but the tribes continued camping with the same formation they had since they came out of Egypt.
Matthew Henry shed light on this: “The place to which the tabernacle was removed, and in which it was set up. It was Shiloh, a city in the lot of Ephraim, but lying close upon the lot of Benjamin. Doubtless God himself did some way or other direct them to this place, for he had promised to choose the place where he would make his name to dwell, Deut 12:11.” Moreover, Joshua came from the tribe of Ephraim, and Shiloh might have been closer to his heritage. However, God did not choose the place because of Joshua per se. God chose it according to His own good will.
THOUGHT: In God’s order, every factor is significant.
PRAYER: Father, may I value every revelation of Thine.