Genesis 49:10
Shiloh is a biblical character. The name ‘Shiloh ’ appears in the Hebrew Bible and holds significant importance. It is often associated with a place but is also interpreted as a messianic title or a reference to a future ruler. In Genesis 49:10, the prophecy mentions:
“The scepter shall not depart from Judah, nor the ruler’s staff from between his feet, until Shiloh comes; and to him shall be the obedience of the peoples.”
Shiloh was also an ancient city in Israel and served as a principal place of worship and a religious center for the Israelites before the first temple was built in Jerusalem. The Ark of the Covenant was kept in Shiloh for many years.
In contemporary times, and if you are old enough, the name Shiloh will immediately connect you with Neil Diamond and the lyrics below:
Song by
Young child with dreams
Dreaming each dream on your own
When children play
Seems like you end up alone
Papa says he’d love to be with you
If he had the time
So you turn to the only friend you can find
There in your mind
Shiloh, when I was young
I used to call your name
When no one else would come
Shiloh, you always came and we’d play.[1]
Let’s start with the old and then go on to the new…
The old is the scripture of Genesis 49:10, as above, and poignantly describes an ancient city in Israel that served as a principal place of worship and a religious center for the Israelites before the first temple was built in Jerusalem. The Ark of the Covenant was kept in Shiloh for many years.
This was significant for people in Old Testament times, and this is where God ‘dwelled.’ The people came to worship a God concealed in the Ark of the Covenant. These folk never saw God but believed that God was in the Ark.
If you think about it, it’s much like people today who attend churches to praise and worship a God they do not see. The Catholic church has a ‘tabernacle’ set on an altar in which God, in the form of a wafer, is concealed. This is according to their belief.
So, what is my point?
It is simply this: God cannot be seen (John 1:18, 5:37; 1 John 4:12). But like the folk in the Old Testament, people believe God is present. Of course, this is partly true because God’s presence was in the Ark (Old Testament) or the church in the present day, but God was/is not present in person, neither in the Ark nor in modern-day churches.
The question then is, where is God?
God is in each one of us (John: 14:16-17).
Was God in those from Old Testament times? No, God was among them, not in them. (2Cor.6:16)
I experience this: Knowing about God is not necessarily knowing God. While both point to God, only knowing God gives us the power to live our salvation.
Let me illustrate: From what I have read on the internet, Neil Diamond is Jewish by admission. However, I could not find any information about whether he follows the Jewish religion. (This does not mean he does or does not, but I could not find any information on this score.) However, in composing lyrics for his song, ‘Shiloh,’ Neil alludes to the fact that someone called Shiloh is inside himself. Whereas Neil’s father did not have the time to spend with him, Shiloh did. They ‘played’ together, and Shiloh stayed inside him – never leaving. What does ‘played’ mean? My interpretation is that Neil and Shiloh did what little children did. They would talk to each other and do things together. I think this is what happened to Neil and Shiloh. Shiloh filled a gap in Neil’s life because his father did not have time to give him.
So, where do we go from here? Well, you all understand the significance of Shiloh’s character and place. You can see the difference between God’s presence among people and in people. Maybe reading Neil Diamond’s lyrics brought back memories of your ‘Shiloh.’ You may recall your parents not having the time to give you. Did you have a Shiloh that came to your rescue? Do you have a Shiloh in you as you read these words?
I do.
‘How do you know?’ you ask.
Because one day, I believed Jesus’ words when He prayed to God for the Disciples: ‘I in you, you in me…’[2]
My life was radically transformed, and since that day, I have come to know God, not only in terms of learning more about God but also in terms of loving God with a depth I have never experienced before.
Genesis tells us: “The scepter shall not depart from Judah, nor the ruler’s staff from between his feet, until Shiloh comes; and to him shall be the obedience of the peoples.”
We know that Shiloh will come and rule the earth and all its people. The only person spoken of returning and ruling the world in the Bible is Jesus. Shiloh is a type of Jesus.[3]
You may ask, ‘How do I begin to know God deeply and experience the Spirit of God in me?”
You only have to ask for the experience, and from that moment, believe, thanking God daily for giving you the experience – don’t stop this prayer.
Until next time
Love and blessings
Peter-James.
[1] Shiloh lyrics neil diamond – Search [2] John 17:20 Context: Not for these only do I pray, but for those also who believe in me through their word, [3] Revelation 11:15 Then the seventh angel sounded his trumpet, and loud voices called out in heaven: “The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of His Christ, and He will reign forever and ever.”