Shiloh is forsaken

"When God heard this, he was wroth, and greatly abhorred Israel: so that he forsook the tabernacle of Shiloh, the tent which he placed among men; and delivered his strength into captivity, and his glory into the enemy’s hand."   Psalm 78:59-61

Before proceeding further in this essay, I urge you to read Psalm 78 in its entirety ~ and, also, to watch the following brief video.  Psalm 78, together with the information contained in the video, constitute the foundation for all that I want to say herein.

I am somewhat reluctant even to attempt to condense the volume of thoughts I want to express, in the context of a blog; for, the depth, and the importance, of the subject matter really requires a book-length treatment.  Yet, this essay may at least serve to introduce the most essential ideas.

The name "Shiloh" comes from a primitive root word in Hebrew, meaning: "tranquil, i.e., secure (safe) and prosperous; happy".  The Bible uses the name Shiloh as an epithet (an adjective to describe) of the Messiah.  Shiloh was the place where God gave rest to his people, following their years of wars and conquest in the Promised Land.  As told in the video, the Tabernacle of God was located at Shiloh for 369 years after that Joshua divided the land amongst the tribes of Israel, for their inheritance.

Psalm 78 is titled, "a Maschil of Asaph".  The word 'Maschil' means, "an instructive poem".  God is using it right now, I believe, to give instruction to the End-time Remnant.

Psalm 78 essentially describes Israel's spiritual declension and apostasy, from the time of Israel's wanderings in the Wilderness and throughout the times of the Judges, until the time of Eli the priest in the days of the prophet Samuel.  The removal of the Tabernacle from Shiloh (in the days of the prophet Samuel) represents God's rejection not only of Ephraim, in particular, but, more generally, of a large majority of the Israelites.  Psalm 78 also reiterates God's merciful dealings with Israel, notwithstanding Israel's repeated backslidings.

Nevertheless, there came a cutting off point, when God did no longer suffer the treacherous dealings of those who presumed themselves to be God's chosen People ~ even though they were contemptuous of God's commandments and ordinances, in sum, of that holy God whom they falsely claimed that they served.  It was that arrogant and hypocritical attitude, I believe, which made all the difference, in terms of God's (un)willingness to bear their sins any longer.  Whereas in former times Israel had repeatedly returned to God, by humbling themselves and repenting of their sins; yet, Israel's carelessness toward sin eventually resulted in the hardening of their hearts toward God.  The "leaven" of which, hypocrisy, at length permeated the whole society; and, so, God finally cut them off.

We ~ the New Testament Church ~ are forewarned by God to learn the lessons set forth in the Old Testament.  Ever since the earliest days of the "conquest" of what later came to be called "America" (that is to say, since the time of the Pilgrims), the Church in America appears to have followed a pattern of conduct towards God, similarly as did ancient Israel (as above described).  It is no mere coincidence, moreover, that a similar period of time has transpired between America's Founding (circa 1620) and today (from 1620 until 1989 was 369 years).  Most significant, the attitude of a large majority of professing Christians in America, evidently, is very much the same as was that arrogant and hypocritical attitude which resulted in ancient Israel's rejection of (and, therefore, by) God.

Is it possible, then, that God may already have forsaken His "tabernacle" (the churches) in America, just as He forsook His tabernacle in Shiloh ~ and for the same reasons?  Those who suppose (based upon their distorted view of Scripture) that God will never forsake any so-called "Christian" person or group of persons (church), irregardless of the unholy condition of such person/s, are in danger of finding themselves among that large number of souls ("many", according to Jesus) which Christ said he will refuse them entrance to Heaven ~ notwithstanding their false profession of Christianity (see, Matthew 7:21-23).

Shiloh ~ the "house of God" ~ was forsaken by God.  I personally believe that is now also the case with the vast majority of churches in America.  But God did not merely "forsake" Shiloh, as though He simply washed His hands of those backslidden and hypocritical people.  But God forsook Shiloh because He "greatly abhorred" Israel.  God was not content only to withdraw His Spirit from among them.  But God then turned against them and became their mortal enemy:

"He cast out the heathen also before them, and divided them an inheritance by line, and made the tribes of Israel to dwell in their tents.  Yet they tempted and provoked the most high God, and kept not his testimonies: but turned back, and dealt unfaithfully like their fathers: they were turned aside like a deceitful bow.  For they provoked him to anger with their high places, and moved him to jealousy with their graven images. 

When God heard this, he was wroth, and greatly abhorred Israel: so that he forsook the tabernacle of Shiloh, the tent which he placed among men; and delivered his strength into captivity, and his glory into the enemy’s hand.  He gave his people over also unto the sword; and was wroth with his inheritance.  The fire consumed their young men; and their maidens were not given to marriage.  Their priests fell by the sword; and their widows made no lamentation.  Then the Lord awaked as one out of sleep, and like a mighty man that shouteth by reason of wine.  And he smote his enemies [that is, those, who formerly were his own people] in the hinder parts: he put them to a perpetual reproach."  (Psalm 78:55-66)

The phrase, "smote his enemies in the hinder parts," is very revealing.  It is an image of God even pursuing His enemies (who once were His own people), and still smiting them though they were fleeing from Him.  God "greatly abhorred" them.  Do we not understand that?  What does that portend for the apostate "Church" in America . . . ?
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Is there then no hope for true disciples of Jesus Christ, in America?  There is in fact abundant hope: which we can discern not only in the closing verses of Psalm 78, as follows:

"Moreover he refused the tabernacle of Joseph, and chose not the tribe of Ephraim: but chose the tribe of Judah, the mount Zion which he loved.  And he built his sanctuary like high palaces, like the earth which he hath established for ever.  He chose David also his servant, and took him from the sheepfolds: from following the ewes great with young he brought him to feed Jacob his people, and Israel his inheritance.  So he fed them according to the integrity of his heart; and guided them by the skilfulness of his hands."  (Psalm 78:68-72)

The highlighted portion, above, is rich with meaning ~ and hope; which should become apparent in the remainder of this discussion.

But the "timing" of the writing of Psalm 78 is also vitally important.  God forsook Shiloh in the days of Eli the priest, when the prophet Samuel was still then very young.  That same Samuel is the prophet whom God commanded him to anoint ~ first, Saul and, afterward, David, to be king.  The institution of, as well as the spiritual lessons which may be derived from, each of those kings is very relevant.  Furthermore, Asaph ~ who wrote Psalm 78, was a great prophet in the days of king David (Asaph was second only to David, in terms of the number of Psalms he wrote).  It is very significant to note, then, that Asaph lived (and thus wrote Psalm 78) within the next generation following the downfall of Shiloh.
  
God told Samuel to tell the people what sort of king Saul would become.  Nevertheless, the people still insisted to have Saul as their king (instead of God!).  Saul then became one of the chiefest instruments in God's hands, wherewith God "smote his enemies [Israel] in their hinder parts".  I think I see a parallel to that, in events of the past couple of decades or more.  Here's what I mean.  If we take the year 1989, or thereabout, as being the time when God (likely) forsook "Shiloh" in America; we may thus ask the question: What manner of "leaders" then began to be raised up to bear "rule" (or to most significantly influence) the Church in America, since about 1989 until now?  Was it not the TBN crowd of apostates ~ who, not unlike Saul, seemed to start out good but finished very badly?  And just as Saul sought to destroy the then soon-coming King of Israel (David), haven't the false prophets of the apostate "Church" in America also sought to destroy Christ ~ our soon-coming king?

Yet, Saul was a transitional figure.  For, although God had indeed forsaken Shiloh, and had turned to be the enemy of many in Israel; yet, God did never forsake the Remnant of Israel who remained faithful to God.  Were not Samuel, and David, and Jonathan (not to mention the 400 or so mighty men in David's army) among that Remnant?  Did God ever forsake them?  He did not.  And though David was in hiding throughout most of Saul's time on the throne, yet, God raised up David within one generation, from the time when God forsook Shiloh, not only to rule but also to unite the nation of Israel, under God.

Of course, we already know that we are part of the "terminal generation," that is, the generation which shall see the Rapture of the Church and the return of Christ.  But I want to take a closer look at the reign of king David.

David ruled over the tribe of Judah for about seven years or so, before he then united all of Israel under him.  Meanwhile, Ishbosheth ~ a son of Saul, continued the reign of Saul's house over the other tribes of Israel (during those seven years when David was in Hebron).  Is that, perhaps ~ in the context of the larger lesson herein discussed, an indication of an End-time Revival shortly before Christ shall return to rule over the "whole house of Israel"?  In other words, may David's seven-year reign over Judah be interpreted to signify Christ's rule over the faithful Remnant ~ just prior to Christ's subordination of all the kingdoms of the earth?  I think so: especially, in view of the closing verses of Psalm 78, as noted above.  God took David from "following the ewes great with young".  Why on earth did the Holy Ghost include such language as that?  Because (I believe), God is directing our attention to the fact that those female sheep were pregnant and about to give birth to a new generation!  Moreover, God raised up David (even during the days of Saul) to "feed Jacob [God's] people, and Israel his inheritance".  God hath not forsaken His people, whom He loves.
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But God did forsake Shiloh ~ and Ephraim ~ and Saul.  I have spoken of Shiloh and of Saul.  But I will not close without saying something about Ephraim.  Ephraim stands for the people of Israel; whereas, Saul stands for the leader(s) of those people; and, Shiloh stands for God's Presence amongst that people.  What was it about Ephraim (the apostate Church) which provoked the Lord God to hate them so?  I have already mentioned their arrogance and hypocrisy.  But there is something else in particular I want to address, as follows:

"The children of Ephraim,

being armed, and carrying bows,

turned back in the day of battle."

Psalm 78:9

As depicted in the above image, archers were critically important to the victory of any army in those days.  The bow and arrow was the most advanced weapon of that time.  The bow and arrow enabled skilled archers to destroy enemies at a great distance.  Accordingly, companies of archers were positioned in front of one's own foot-soldiers; for, archers could deplete an enemy's numbers before the foot-soldiers then engaged in hand-to-hand combat.  Thus, archers were a key asset to every military campaign, as archers were the most effectual of all the forces an army could bring to bear against an enemy.

Ephraim ~ the professing albeit apostate Church ~ is armed ~ with the Word of God.  At least, they have it within their reach.  They know about it, even if they do not "know" it in their hearts.  But what is meant by "carrying bows"?

In Scripture, the bow and arrow represents PRAYER.  Arrows are sent heavenward; they strike the enemy at a distance.  The apostate Church is "carrying" ~ but NOT USING ~ "bows".  That is to say, that the apostate Church (which is nothing else but numbers of apostate individuals) is not a praying Church.  But do not mistake a few words spoken, from time to time, as true prayer.  Doubtless the apostate Church does 'pray' ~ in the same sense that other cults pray to their respective idols.

The Body of Christ needs skillful ARCHERS, as never before: prayer warriors.  "Well, I'm called to be a musician (or a preacher, or whatever), and not a prayer warrior," some will object.  Others 'complain' that they just don't have time to pray.  While yet other some will pretend they pray, sometimes.  But they are all Ephraim.

And God rejected Ephraim.  God came at last even to hate those, of Ephraim, who were apostates.  Finally, God himself fought against them.

"Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God:

on them which fell, severity; but toward thee, goodness,

if thou continue in his goodness:

otherwise thou also shalt be cut off."

(Romans 11:22)

"Behold, ye trust in lying words, that cannot profit.  Will ye steal, murder, and commit adultery, and swear falsely, and burn incense unto Baal, and walk after other gods whom ye know not; and come and stand before me in this house, which is called by my name, and say, We are delivered [free] to do all these abominations?  Is this house, which is called by my name, become a den of robbers in your eyes? Behold, even I have seen it, saith the LORD. 

But go ye now unto my place which was in Shiloh, where I set my name at the first, and see what I did to it for the wickedness of my people Israel.  And now, because ye have done all these works, saith the LORD, and I spake unto you, rising up early and speaking, but ye heard not; and I called you, but ye answered not; therefore will I do unto this house, which is called by my name, wherein ye trust, and unto the place which I gave to you and to your fathers, as I have done to Shiloh.  And I will cast you out of my sight, as I have cast out all your brethren, even the whole seed of Ephraim."  (Jeremiah 7:8-15)

That Word of God still stands, today.