Joshua 18:1

Joshua 18:1

And the whole congregation of the children of Israel assembled together at Shiloh, and set up the tabernacle of the congregation there. And the land was subdued before them.

a. NLT: Now that the land was under Israelite control, the entire community of Israel gathered at Shiloh and set up the Tabernacle.

b. NIV: The whole assembly of the Israelites gathered at Shiloh and set up the tent of meeting there. The country was brought under their control.

c. Amplified Bible: And the whole congregation of the Israelites assembled at Shiloh, and set up the tent of meeting there; and the land was subdued before them.

d. Septuagint: And all the congregation of the children of Israel were assembled at Selo, and there they pitched the tabernacle of witness; and the land was subdued by them.

1. “And the whole congregation of the children of Israel assembled together at Shiloh,

a. Keil and Delitzsh Bible Commentary: As soon as the tribe of Ephraim had received its inheritance, Joshua commanded the whole congregation to assemble in Shiloh, and there set up the tabernacle, in order that, as the land was conquered, the worship of Jehovah might henceforth be regularly observed in accordance with the law. The tabernacle continued standing at Shiloh during the time of the judges, until the ark of the covenant fell into the hands of the Philistines, in the lifetime of Eli, when the holy tent was robbed of its soul, and reduced to the mere shadow of a sanctuary.

b. Matthew Henry Concise Commentary: Shiloh was in the lot of Ephraim, the tribe to which Joshua belonged, and it was proper that the tabernacle should be near the residence of the chief governor. The name of this city is the same as that by which Jacob prophesied of the Messiah, Genesis 49:10. It is supposed by some that the city was thus called, when it was chosen for the resting-place of the ark, which typified our great Peace-maker, and the way by him to a reconciled God.

2. “…and set up the tabernacle of the congregation there…”

a. The purpose for the whole congregation to assemble at Shiloh was to set up the Tabernacle of the Congregation. Shiloh was about 15 miles northwest of Gilgal.

b. The setting up and taking down of the Tabernacle was a very extensive process specifically detailed in Numbers 4:1-33. There were three specific families of Levites, who were not priests involved along with the Aaronic family of Levites who were priests. The main work of putting up and taking down the Tabernacle was done by the priests only.   

3. “And the land was subdued before them.”

a. subdued [3533 * kabash][Strong: a primitive root; to tread down; hence, negatively, to disregard; positively, to conquer, subjugate, violate:--bring into bondage, force, keep under, subdue, bring into subjection.][AMG Complete Word Study Dictionary Old Testament: A verb meaning to subdue, to bring into subjection, to enslave. It means basically to overcome, to subdue someone. It is used to describe God’s mandate to humans to subdue the created order.]

b. Not just the land but all the enemies that once inhabited the land were vanquished. There was literally nothing standing in their way of going in and possessing the land that God had given them, it was theirs. This is what makes the rebuke of Joshua in the next few verses so powerful in light of these seven words. “And the land was subdued before them.”

c. Applying this to the New Covenant is doable. Interestingly, the name Jesus is a Greek transliteration of the Hebrew name Yhowshuwa, or into English, Joshua. This is why in Hebrews 4 the person Jesus in this passage refers to Joshua, not to Jesus, the second person of the triune Godhead.

1). Hebrews 4:7-9 Again, he limiteth a certain day, saying in David, To day, after so long a time; as it is said, To day if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts.

8 For if Jesus had given them rest, then would he not afterward have spoken of another day.

9 There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God.

e. The big difference in the New Covenant is that our Jesus/Joshua accomplished by his death and resurrection what no other Old Covenant leader including Joshua could do. Jesus subdued the land before us and gave us a New Testament inheritance much more extensive than the Old Testament inheritance. Under the Old Covenant sin was just covered by the blood of bulls and goats, but under the New Covenant they are forgiven, removed and forgotten, not just covered.

1). Colossians 1:12-14 Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light:

13 Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son:

14 In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:

e. Our inheritance includes everything in the Old and then much more. It is everything mentioned in the New Testament from Matthew to Revelation and includes aspects that were not part of the Old Covenant such as our authority in Christ. Under the Old Covenant they did not have the level of authority given to us. Notice the reaction of Jesus casting out an unclean spirit.

1). Mark 1:21-27 And they went into Capernaum; and straightway on the sabbath day he entered into the synagogue, and taught.

22 And they were astonished at his doctrine: for he taught them as one that had authority, and not as the scribes.

23 And there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit; and he cried out,

24 Saying, Let us alone; what have we to do with thee, thou Jesus of Nazareth? art thou come to destroy us? I know thee who thou art, the Holy One of God.

25 And Jesus rebuked him, saying, Hold thy peace, and come out of him.

26 And when the unclean spirit had torn him, and cried with a loud voice, he came out of him.

27 And they were all amazed, insomuch that they questioned among themselves, saying, What thing is this? what new doctrine is this? for with authority commandeth he even the unclean spirits, and they do obey him.

f. That same authority has been given to us. Notice also in the Ephesian passage that this authority over the devil is part of our inheritance.

1). Mark 16:15-20 And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.

16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.

17 And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues;

18 They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.

19 So then after the Lord had spoken unto them, he was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God.

20 And they went forth, and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following. Amen.

2). Ephesians 1:15-23 Wherefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus, and love unto all the saints,

16 Cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers;

17 That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him:

18 The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints,

19 And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power,

20 Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places,

21 Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come:

22 And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church,

23 Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all.

g. Our inheritance is laid out in the entire Scripture but particularly in the New Testament. It is our responsibility to search it out by reading, studying, meditating the Scripture to develop faith in our lives to reach out and receive our inheritance by faith.

1). Acts 20:32 And now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified.

h. It is God’s plan that we receive our inheritance that goes beyond the initial and continual forgiveness of sins.

1). Acts 26:15-18 And I said, Who art thou, Lord? And he said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest.

16 But rise, and stand upon thy feet: for I have appeared unto thee for this purpose, to make thee a minister and a witness both of these things which thou hast seen, and of those things in the which I will appear unto thee;

17 Delivering thee from the people, and from the Gentiles, unto whom now I send thee,

18 To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me.