hearkened; :6 Then will I make this house like Shiloh, and will make this city a curse to all the nations of the earth.
NOTICE vs. 26 of all people it was the princes and people who protected Jeremiah. But notice Jeremiah’s reply...
TITLE: I WANT TO GO TO SHILO!
I invite you to join me on a journey through our bible. Lets start at a place called Paradise also known as the Garden of Eden.
The place of creation, and see.. see the picture of a Divine creator, seeking savior and loving father ..
Next lets visit MT. MORIAH and see...Notice Abraham rose early for the 3 day journey.. God provides a Ram not a Lamb?
But Abraham prophesied. A Ram for 1 son and sin, a Lamb for all SINS and SONS. He saw sacrifice as WORSHIP vs. 5,8,13
Next lets visit SINAI and its surrounding cities and SEE...Gods people as the leave the land of bondage and misery for the land of promise.
Exo 16:1 And they took their journey from Elim, and all the congregation of the children of Israel came unto the wilderness of Sin, which is between Elim and Sinai
But before they got to SINAI they went thru the hot dry desert of SHUR then on to ELIM. There they found rest, comfort and refreshing. But notice they got to comfortable and God had to provoke them to leave Elim after 30 days.
..
Then they ended up at the WILDERNESS of SIN. Notice the murmuring started at SHUR because of the BITTER WATERS at the desert place of Mara, but it continued on to the place of sin and beyond
2 things I notice here: 1.If your present situation or life seems a bit bitter or sour, Its bitter for a reason? Throw in the tree of Calvary. Perhaps you need some spiritual Potash? Ever wonder why the waters were bitter? The bitterness was a result of the POTASH that was in the water, Potash has the vital nutrients and minerals that the body needs in order to avoid death from dehydration ) Perhaps that bitter situation sent your way is meant to keep you from Spiritual dehydration!
2nd. Beware of murmuring. For them it led to more complaining at the place of Sin. BEWARE of letting in just a little sin here and there, Cuz it will follow you WHERE EVER YOU GO...
At SIN they began to complain and murmur, and rebel, about having no food, and lack of water at Meribah.
Thus rebellion and discouragement set in.. It followed them from the place of Shur.
Perhaps some folks don't like it when God provokes us to leaver our comfort zone, our resting place and move on.
So God took them to Sinai, and there all that separated them from a loving God was the valley of Sebeya.
Notice: They feared the quaking, thunders, shaking, and darkness, why?
1. perhaps people who do not know God as a loving and kind God see him differently then those who know him as merciful and loving. but how will people know God as a loving merciful God unless they experience him thru us.
2. The people let fear, thunders and quaking separate and keep them from the presence of God when what they needed was to draw nearer to God not draw away from him. How about us. Do we let the valley of Sebeya keep us away from God? Did u know God abides at Shilo?
At Sinai God was providing hope and direction. revealing his glory and presence.
SO HERE’S THE LESSON OR WARNING MESSAGE:
REMEMBER THEY LEFT THE PLACE OF EGYPT (BONDAGE)THEN WENT TO THE DESERT OF SHUR,
( EMPTINESS AND DRYNESS) THEN TO ELIM ( REST AND COMFORT) THEN TO THE PLACE OF SIN ( REBELLION AND MURMURING) THEN FINALLY TO SINAI ( THE PLACE OF GODS GLORY AND REVELATION)
Now Lets continual or journey and visit CALVARY AND SEE...
Next lets visit a TOMB just a stones throw away from Jerusalem.
Here at a place where they laid the Lord of glory! In a barrowed tomb carved out of a rock quarry. Its empty! he’s risen!
Now lets take a visit to the place of SHILO. But first a little history about SHILO.
How about our verse we read. Why did God say to speak to Judah first of all the cities?
What was it about JUDAH? Did you know Judah means PRAISE! hint hint, who always went to battle first? And why? Guess what possession was given to Judah? The land and peoples up to the borders of the wilderness of Sin.
And what about this evil God talked about? What about Eli? Hophni and Phenehas? why was Eli going blind?
The sons of Eli were fornicating with the woman in the temple.
But they cross the line with God when they went into the temple and began to abuse the sacrificial offerings.
They did 2 THINGS:
1. They robbed God by taking their portion first. What they were saying is that they were more important than God. Had more right than God, etc.
We do the same thing and don't realize it, When we say we can't afford to give but we will give when God gives to us. Or when we say we need to pay our bills first and buy groceries and sustenance first before we can give the tithe or offerings. HEY God is suppose to get his portion first! NOT LAST
2. THING THEY DID or were saying was this, That I'm not satisfied with what God has provided and given me I want more, I need more, I am not content...They were in reality questioning God.. Gods wisdom and providence.
This reminds me of when Abiju and Nadab the Sons of Aaron tried to offer up STRANGE FIRE to God. And were slain..
Did you know some people in Church try to offer up strange fire to God?
So what ended up happening at SHILO? It started or rather ended with the Benjamites who refuse to give JUSTICE, and perversion and sin excused. Followed by the people of Jabesh Gilead who refused to give WORSHIP. And the women of SHILO who danced unto pagan gods. Hence Gods judgment and wrath came and they were DEFEATED by their enemies, The glory departs! ICHABOD. Notice vs. 9 Ichabod’s mother dies while giving birth. As the wife of the priest she represented a type of the Church, ministry, holiness, godliness and commitment. And in dying all that died with her thus through her death ICHABOD was revealed. And the glory departed.
What about Samuel? And how God reveals himself to him, what is God trying to say to us thru this incident?
THEY THAT HUNGER AND THIRST AFTER GOD SHALL BE FILLED
It was at Shilo that God rewarded the people and gave and divided them their possession of the promise land. Gave them their marching orders, their victory, their hope, their peace and comfort, rest and guidance. At Shilo God reassured them and reminded them of their destiny. At Shilo God renewed and revived them, and annointed the leadership for the task ahead. Of Governing, guiding and instructing Gods people. At Shilo God protected them, provided for them, proved them, and prospered them. Shilo was intended to always be the central meeting place for Gods people.
At Shilo God established the 6 cities of refuge. 3 cities on each side of the Jordon.
But today we don't have any cities of refuge anymore. Instead we have Church's of refuge or atleast they’re suppose to be?
Hey Shilo represented the Church of today. Shilo represented the presence of God.
Shilo represented the power of God, the providence of God, the purpose of God.
Hey in once place in scripture the word Shilo is used to actually refer to or mean the person of Jesus Christ the messiah.