.png)
On 2nd November, I had an unusual dream! In it, the Holy Spirit spoke to me about “Shiloh”.
He reminded me of a prophetic message I shared a few months earlier, from Joshua 18. And in those few minutes, He enlarged on it, taking me back and forth in the Scripture. I woke up with more insight than before!
Little did I know that we were about to hit some unexpected turbulence in a situation—and in the shaking, the message of “Shiloh” would become a great strength.
Your Trust in God is Powerful
Perhaps today, you relate to having some “unfinished business”.
An outcome you expected has not taken place
You are seeking closure or a resolution
Something is incomplete
That unfinished business may have to do with a legacy, a dream, or a vision for your life. You may not be aware of it—but your trust in God is exerting a powerful pull in the spiritual realm.
That “Unfinished Business” is About to Change
“Shiloh” is the name of an Old Testament town in Ephraim which means, “Place of Rest” (Strong’s H7887).
And as Joshua chapter 18 opens, God’s people occupy the land of Canaan—but numerous families don’t know where they will settle. In fact, seven of the twelve tribes have not received their land allotment; their inheritance assigned by God.
There is unfinished business, but this is about to change!
1. God’s Rest is Where We Receive His Promise
Joshua leads the whole community to gather at Shiloh, where they set up the Tabernacle. Then, the priests rest the Ark of the Covenant in its place.
Earlier, God promised Moses “My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest” (Ex 33:14b). But it is many years later, and the Israelites still haven’t entered the “rest” God spoke of.
Now, at Shiloh, God is about to fulfill this promise!
Because they are positioned at the right place, at the right time
Today, be reassured, for God is faithful and He will fulfill His promise to you. And the safest place for you to be right now is in God’s rest. It’s that place where you awaken to His presence with you, and your reliance upon Him deepens.
2. God’s Rest is Where We Hear His Instructions
In the place of rest, God calls us to partner with Him in his promise. And Joshua calls on the people to obey God—He sends them out to map the territory. In response, a team of land surveyors goes out and brings that information back to Shiloh. And there in God’s Presence, Joshua receives the tribal allotments.
Unfinished business can be frustrating because the closure we crave is out of our reach! And in such times, it seems counter-intuitive to pause and listen.
But here in Shiloh is the listener’s reward. For here in God’s rest, you receive the instructions of the Holy Spirit—you hear from God about what He wants to do.
3. God’s Rest Becomes a Launching Pad
What an extraordinary picture: there are keys of access waiting for you in the place of God’s rest. Here, God delivers His wisdom and strategies, to possess the promise. And so “Shiloh” becomes a launching pad.
Hear the Lord say, “Beloved, I have rest for you. In your outer circumstances, it may seem that you are cast into turmoil. But you will know My unshakeable rest, like never before. And here you will discover your inheritance is secure in Me.”
We say in response, “O LORD, You are the portion of my inheritance and my cup; You maintain my lot. The lines have fallen to me in pleasant places; Yes, I have a good inheritance.” (Psalms 16:5-6 NKJV)
The Future of Shiloh
God later calls Shiloh, “My place…where I set My name at the first…” and yet the town is eventually destroyed as the people backslide from God (Jer 7:12). There’s a significant message in this story, which I’ll share in part 2 of the message of Shiloh soon.
Contact: Helen Calder
Kingdom Studies