Joshua 18 describes the division of the land in Israel after its conquest. Seven tribes had not yet received their inheritance, so Joshua instructed three men from each tribe to survey the land and divide it into seven portions. Judah and Joseph’s descendants were to remain in their existing territories. The Levites were excluded from the allotment, as their inheritance was the priesthood.
After the survey, the lot was cast in Shiloh, and the land was distributed to the tribes. The territory allotted to Benjamin’s descendants was situated between Judah and Joseph’s lands. It included cities like Jericho, Jerusalem (Jebus), and Gibeon, with specific borders outlined. The inheritance for Benjamin’s descendants was defined by these cities and their surrounding areas.
Spiritually, Shiloh is an important landmark for worship during this time. In both Judges and Samuel, we see special worship take place at this location. This would also be the location where God would allow the Philistines to overtake Israel and steal the ark of the covenant from them. This was a consequence of the sin that entangled them so often.
As I think of Shiloh, I picture a battleground that would have been prime real estate for spiritual warfare.
“Up to this point, Israel’s central encampment in the land had been at Gilgal, near Jericho, where they had observed several religious ceremonies (Jos 4:19-20; Jos 5:2-12; Jos 9:6). Now the entire congregation moved to Shiloh, about fifteen miles northwest of Jericho, where they set up the tent of meeting. This would remain an important Israelite religious center for several hundred years (Jos 19:51; Jos 21:2; Jdg 18:31; Jdg 21:12; 1Sa 1:9) until the taking of Jerusalem in David’s day.”
Nelson’s New Illustrated Commentary
It was a place sanctified by God’s Spirit that was holy and righteous. When Israel trampled that responsibility, the floodgates were opened for the enemy to pour in. We see a picture of this in Jeremiah 7.
“But look, you keep trusting in deceitful words that cannot help. [9] “‘Do you steal, murder, commit adultery, swear falsely, burn incense to Baal, and follow other gods that you have not known? [10] Then do you come and stand before me in this house that bears my name and say, “We are rescued, so we can continue doing all these detestable acts”? [11] Has this house, which bears my name, become a den of robbers in your view? Yes, I too have seen it. This is the LORD’s declaration.
[12] “‘But return to my place that was at Shiloh, where I made my name dwell at first. See what I did to it because of the evil of my people Israel. [13] Now, because you have done all these things—this is the LORD’s declaration—and because I have spoken to you time and time again but you wouldn’t listen, and I have called to you, but you wouldn’t answer, [14] what I did to Shiloh I will do to the house that bears my name—the house in which you trust—the place that I gave you and your ancestors.”
Jeremiah 7:8-14 CSB
What is the practicality of this today? Our physical bodies serve as sacred vessels for God’s Spirit. We should examine ourselves: are we polluting God’s dwelling place within us? Are we neglectfully giving the enemy access to our inner being? These contemplations are worth considering.