“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.”
Joshua 18:1 takes place after the Israelites, led by Joshua, had conquered much of the Promised Land. At this point, seven of the twelve tribes had received their allotted inheritance of land, but there were still several tribes that had not yet taken possession of their territories. The verse highlights an important gathering of the entire congregation of Israel at Shiloh.
The Assembly at Shiloh:Shiloh was a significant location in ancient Israel and became the resting place for the Ark of the Covenant during the period of the judges. Here, the people came together as a united assembly. The phrase “the whole congregation of the children of Israel” emphasizes the unity and collective purpose of the Israelites.
Setting up the Tabernacle:At Shiloh, the Israelites set up the tabernacle, which was the portable dwelling place of God’s presence among them. The tabernacle consisted of the Tent of Meeting and the Ark of the Covenant. The fact that they set up the tabernacle indicates the establishment of a central place for worship and communication with God.
Subduing the Land:The verse concludes by stating that the land was subdued before them. This signifies that the Israelites had successfully overcome the inhabitants of the land through God’s guidance and had gained control over the majority of the territories. The conquest of the Promised Land was an essential part of God’s covenant with the Israelites, and their victory demonstrated His faithfulness to His promises.
In summary, Joshua 18:1 portrays a crucial moment in Israel’s history. It highlights the gathering of the entire congregation at Shiloh, the establishment of the tabernacle, and the successful subjugation of the land. This verse signifies both the unity of the Israelite tribes and their ongoing journey to claim the inheritance that God had promised them.
