April 22, 2004

SHILOH

"The scepter shall not depart from Judah, nor a lawgiver from between his feet, until Shiloh comes" (Genesis 49:10, NKJV).

The messianic title, "Shiloh," first appeared in Scripture as part of Jacob's parting blessing on his son Judah. The word means "tranquility" or "rest giver."

Shiloh is also used as a messianic title of Jesus. It is a most fitting designation of Jesus, the promised Messiah, whose birth was accompanied by the angelic announcement, "On earth peace, good will toward men!" (Luke 2:14, NKJV). In her inspired commentary on Shiloh, Ellen White observed that, "In the Child of Bethlehem was veiled the glory before which angels bow. This unconscious babe was the promised seed... This was Shiloh, the peace giver."--The Desire of Ages, p. 52. As Shiloh, the giver of rest and peace, Christ had finally come in His incarnate form. The Shiloh specified in Jacob's blessing came in human form "to reconcile all things to Himself, by Him... having made peace through the blood of His cross" (Colossians 1:20, NKJV). In His role as Shiloh, Jesus extends His gracious invitation to all humanity, "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest" (Matthew 11:28, NIV).

Jacob's prophetic blessing on Judah goes beyond the rest and peace that believers enjoy here and now in Christ, the promised Shiloh. It takes the redeemed to the time of the final establishment of the kingdom of glory when Jesus, the true Messiah, will reign as King of kings and Lord of lords. Then will the prophecy ultimately be fulfilled: "Unto him shall the gathering of the people be" (Genesis 49:10). Then will Shiloh, the rightful and righteous ruler, usher in the era of eternal peace and rest. Then all the universe will pulsate with harmony and tranquility forever.

My Prayer Today: Lord, prepare me for the ushering in of Your reign of peace. Amen.