The observation:
Jer:7:14
So just as I destroyed Shiloh, I will now destroy this temple that bears my name, this temple that you trust in for help, this place I gave to you and your ancestors.
The question:
Wait.
What are you saying?
This can't be. Shiloh cannot be destroyed.
The contrast:
Shiloh is the holy city where the Tabernacle is. It is the holy place where you are supposed to reaide among your people (in case you need to be reminded). Your presence is what makes the place and the nation different from others. We are your people separated from other sinful nations.
Why will you do it? Shiloh is your favorite right? It's people are all yours right? You are a loving God right? Why will you do it?
But God did destroy Shiloh, ultimately. Because of the entity that was ruling over the entire place - called sin. And the city was in wreck. What happened to the everlasting love of God? Well, He asks, what have you been doing with the attribute, that you have been conveniently forgetting - called holiness? You are talking about love. My love. What is the status of your love? To me? To others? Have you ever sought me with all your heart mind and soul? And now you talk to me about my love?
Oh! Shiloh is the One who was promised to come in the name of the Lord. Shiloh is future. Shiloh is hope. The promise given to Judah (and through Him to the entire nation, and through them to the whole world) by Jacob himself. Shiloh is the one whom the people were all waiting for. The Messiah. Gen:49:10.
Oh! Will you pass the judge me on Him? Your chosen one? Will you do that massacre on the one whom you sent? He is your own Son. Blameless. Sinless. He is innocent of any crime. Will you do this Oh! Loving God? What sort of a righteous judge are you?
He who knew no sim, became sin. Because of my love. I could do this to myself (not to another person called my son) because of my love to you. Weren't you asking about love? This is my answer. This is my love. This is my forgiveness. This is pardon.
He was led like a lamb to slaughter. And as a sheep is silent before the shearers, He did not open His mouth.
Not because He was found guilty. But because He was innocent to the core. But His love to them who crucified was so deep. (That includes me and you).
He was unjustly condemned.
One Shiloh will be destroyed because of the pride because of idolatry, because of rebellion.
The other Shiloh has been destroyed because of love, because of obedience, because of humility.
The conclusion:
Shiloh is destroyed because of sin.
🙏
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