From today’s reading in Tyndale’s One Year Chronological Bible dated 3/28:

“Now the whole congregation of the children of Israel assembled together at Shiloh, and set up the tabernacle of meeting there. And the land was subdued before them. But there remained among the children of Israel seven tribes which had not yet received their inheritance.” 

Shiloh was a city in the land of Ephraim. The presence of the Lord will rest in the tabernacle at Shiloh for over three hundred years until the Ark of the Covenant is taken in battle by the Philistines. Shiloh, meaning peace, was previously mentioned in this story when Jacob blessed Judah. “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” (Genesis 49:10). This prophecy points toward kings to come. The Lord will make a covenant with King David, from the tribe of Judah, promising that the kingdom will not leave the Davidic line. The ultimate King, our Savior Jesus, will come from this lineage as the ultimate Shiloh because no geographical location could ever give the people the rest they needed. Only Jesus can meet the deepest longings of our hearts for peace and rest. When Jesus arrives on the scene, He will declare Himself to be the ultimate King – “And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, ‘All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth’” (Matthew 28:18). Jesus will also declare Himself to be the place where we find rest – “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls” (Matthew 11:28-29).

Until then, we have the presence of the Lord at Shiloh, where Joshua is dividing the land among the tribes of Israel – “Then Joshua cast lots for them in Shiloh before the Lord, and there Joshua divided the land to the children of Israel according to their divisions.” The remaining seven tribes receive their land with the tribe of Simeon receiving land from Judah’s inheritance.

Tomorrow the Levites move into their towns, so keep reading. (Joshua 18:1-19:48)