I had the occasion to visit Shiloh while in Israel last month. A special area of interest is the proposed site of the tabernacle.
Proposed site of Tabernacle at Shiloh. Photo by Greg Picogna.
The tabernacle stood here for about 400 years, from its installment during the Conquest (Josh. 18:1), to its destruction in the days of the Judges by the Philistines (1 Samuel 4), during the final days of Eli.
Site of Tabernacle at Shiloh. Photo by Leon Mauldin.
Todd Bolen reports that recent excavations have discovered an altar at Shiloh, and provides the link here.
We have previously posted several articles on Shiloh here and here and here.
At this point there are very few info signs on the site.
It is truly an exciting place to visit.
Our previous three posts have featured the three cities of refuge on the western side of Jordan: Kedesh, Shechem and Hebron. There were also three on the Transjordan, making a total of six. These were to serve as sanctuary to one who was guilty of accidental manslaughter, such as when an ax head flew off the handle, etc.
In the same way God, desiring even more to show to the heirs of the promise the unchangeableness of His purpose, interposed with an oath, 18 so that by two unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have taken refuge would have strong encouragement to take hold of the hope set before us. 19 This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, a hope both sure and steadfast and one which enters within the veil, 20 where Jesus has entered as a forerunner for us, having become a high priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek (Heb. 6:17-20)..
1. The OT resident of a city of refuge was not guilty of murder, though he had accidentally shed man’s blood. But all those who have fled to Christ for refuge ARE guilty of sin (Rom. 3:23).
2. The accidental man-slayer had to dwell in the city of refuge until the death of the High Priest. But now there is a High Priest who never dies, “Therefore He is able also to save forever those who draw near to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them” (Heb. 7:25).
Jacob’s well, referenced in John 4, is very near the ruins of ancient Shechem. It is housed inside a Greek Orthodox Church, the interior of which was completed in 2007. We were able to visit the church and the well while at Shechem last month.
Shechem Jacob’s Well Greek Orthodox church interior. Photo by Leon Mauldin.
Jacobs Well Greek Orthodox Church Outside. Photo by Leon Mauldin.
See our yesterday’s post for a map showing all 6 cities of Refuge.
Another city of refuge was Shechem, a West Bank site known as Tel Balata.
This Old Testament city had an important history. It was here that Abraham (Abram) stood as a childless man (age 75), when God told him he would give to him (his descendants) the land of Canaan (Gen. 12:6-7).
It was here that Joshua assembled Israel with his farewell speech and uttered the famous works, “As for me and my house we will serve the Lord” (Josh. 24:15).
It was very near here that Jesus sat down weary by Jacob’s well, and skillfully led a Samaritan from a point where her only interest was drawing up the water, to a point of faith in Him as Messiah (John 4).
You can see the excavated ruins of the city. At center was the Temple of Baal-berith. At right you see a portion of Mt. Ebal, and at left is Mt. Gerizim. I took our group here Oct. 22, not only for them to see Shechem but also to have a good vantage point to take photos of the mount of cursing (Ebal) and Gerizim (blessing). See further on this in Josh. 8. Again, when cities of refuge were appointed in the days of the conquest, Shechem was the one for the central residents of the land west of the Jordan River.
For a previous post on Shechem see here and several other entries. Use search box and it will bring them all up.
I never tire of seeing the Sea of Galilee, as it was so intertwined with the ministry of Jesus. On the approach to Tiberius from the west, there is a nice pull-off area where a bus or other vehicle can safely get off the road and have a good view of the Sea. One is at sea level at this point at the pull-off.
Sea of Galilee from Sea Level. Photo by Leon Mauldin.
The Sea of Galilee is about 700 feet below sea level. It was considerably higher than on my last visit. In the distance you see what would have been the Decapolis during the ministry of Jesus.
I’ll never forget my first view of the Sea. All of my life I had read about it in the Bible, but to have the opportunity to see it was almost surreal. I wonder if on a much higher level, that’s the sort of thing God’s people will experience in heaven. We read about heaven, we believe the promises of God, but one day all the saved will be in heaven and see Him face to face. The precious things we read about will some day be seen and personally experienced. How I want to be among that number!
Recent posts on the Sea of Galilee may be seen here and here.
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