One of the names of the Messiah, given by the dying patriarch Jacob under the spirit of prophecy, and to which both Jew and Gentile agree; though in the application of the name to the person of Christ they differ. (Genesis 49:10) It is worthy remark, however, that unless it be applied to the Lord Jesus Christ, it can be applied to no other. The dying patriarch said that the sceptre should not depart from Judah, nor a lawgiver from between his feet, until the Shiloh come. Now the lawgiver is departed, and the sceptre also; for they have no law, nor king, nor governor. But both they boasted of unto the coming of Christ. We have a law, said they to Pilate, when they demanded the death of Christ. (John 19:7) But now Christ was come, however unconscious of it, they said, "We have no king but C?sar." (John 19:15)
I cannot dismiss this article without first observing that Shiloh is rendered the more remarkable, because as the name of the Messiah, nor indeed as any other name of a person, we no where meet with it but in this place. (Genesis 49:10) And I beg yet farther to observe that it merits our attention the more, because it is the third blessed promise JEHOVAH gave, in his holy word, in the covenant of grace concerning redemption. The first was all gospel, and all of Christ: (Genesis 3:15) "The seed of the woman shall bruise the serpent's head."The second was all gospel, and all of Christ: and this was given to Abraham, (Genesis 22:18) "In thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed." And God the Holy Ghost, by his servant Paul, directly applies this to Christ, Galatians 3:16. And the third was this blessed promise of Shiloh, which comprehends in its bosom the former two, and confirms and explains them. They both promised Christ. This saith when and how to be known. Do you enquire then, Is Shiloh come? I answer; Is the sceptre departed from Judah, and the lawgiver from between his feet? Then is Shiloh come. Precious Lord Jesus, I would say, Art thou come indeed, to my heart, to my house, to my family? Lord, when shall the full gathering of thy people be? Haste, haste, my Beloved, and arise out of Zion, "to turn away ungodliness from Jacob; Be thou as a roe, or a young hart, upon the mountains of spices!" (See Sceptre.)
SHILOH. A city of Ephraim, (Joshua 18:10) This place was rendered memorable in the history of Israel, (Joshua 19:51; 1 Samuel 4:4; 1 Kings 14:2; Jeremiah 7:12, etc.)