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     We continue to consider the mystery, which the NT (New Testament) refers to 26 times.  The apostle Paul wrote, “how that by revelation He [God-jm] made known to me the mystery” (Ephesians 3:3).  Paul goes on to say it is the mystery of Christ (v4).  The NT reveals the mystery which was is now past and has been for nearly 2000 years.
     Last week, we observed Jacob bestowing prophetic (future) blessings on his 12 sons.  To Judah, he prophesied, “The scepter shall not depart from Judah, nor a lawgiver from between his feet, until Shiloh comes; and to Him shall be the obedience of the people” (Genesis 49:9-12).  Since they numbered less than 100, all present would have thought that Judah’s descendants as kings would be a mystery.  At the moment they were living as guests in Egypt.  Kings?  Really?  Judah’s royal lineage would continue until Shiloh came!  Who heard of Shiloh?  “Shiloh” means “Rest Giver.”

     This prophecy refers to a person, yet in all other OT references Shiloh is a place.  The next mention of Shiloh is some 250 years later, a location about 25 miles north of Jerusalem (Joshua 18:1).  When the Israelites conquered Canaan, they set up the tabernacle at Shiloh (Joshua 18:1).  The tabernacle was God’s dwelling place on earth (1 Samuel 1:3, 24) at Shiloh for the first 300+ years of Israel’s life in Canaan, the land promised to Abraham (Genesis 15:18).

     The significance of Shiloh is actually the religious environment involving the tabernacle.  Sacrifices to God were offered there.  The high priest wore the urim and thumim, the “hotline to heaven” (Numbers 27:21; Ezra 2:63).  God communicated to the Israelites via the high priest.  Shiloh is where God answered Israel’s questions in His dwelling.  The book of Hebrews opens declaring, “God, who at various times and in various ways spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets, has in these last days spoken to us by His Son” (Hebrews 1:1, 2).  God no longer speaks via the urim and thumim, nor prophets, but through Jesus.  His message of which is the New Testament.

     So who is the Shiloh prophesied via Jacob to Judah (Genesis 49:10)?  Kings from Judah until Shiloh comes?  The prophecy continues “And to Him shall be obedience of the people.”  The only fulfillment of this mysterious prophecy would be when God in the flesh came to earth and spoke to Israel — Jesus.  He is the last King of Judah’s lineage reigning from heaven (John 18:37).  Jesus (Shiloh) said, “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.  Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls” (Matthew 11:28, 29).  Jesus is Shiloh, the “Rest Giver.”

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