HE FORSOOK THE TABERNACLE OF SHILOH

In this psalm, Asaph is rehearsing the spiritual and moral history of Israel from the exodus out of Egypt up to the reign of king David, a period of about 450 years. It makes sad reading, for idolatry was rampant, being copied from the nations around. Moses’ tabernacle, situated at Shiloh about 20 miles north of Jerusalem, would no longer be recognized by God as His dwelling place amongst men. Consequently, in a battle with the Philistines, God allowed the ark to be taken, 1 Sam. 4. 11, and in its subsequent movements, it was never returned to Shiloh, and God’s glory never appeared there again. Asaph recalls this event, “he forsook the tabernacle of Shiloh … and delivered his strength into captivity, and his glory into the enemy’s hand”, Psa. 78. 60-61. We shall note later in other psalms what happened to the ark subsequently.

After another 450 years, the moral and spiritual conditions in Jerusalem had declined to the lowest state of idolatry, and through Jeremiah God quoted the example of Shiloh: “go ye now unto my place which was in Shiloh … and see what I did to it for the wickedness of my people Israel”, Jer. 7. 12, since the house had become a “den of robbers”; “I will make this house like Shiloh”, 26. 6. And that is what happened a few years later; “the glory of the Lord went up from the midst of the city” to stand on the mount of Olives, Ezek. 11. 23. After God had abandoned the temple, the house of the Lord was burnt with fire, 2 Kings 25. 9.

We find the same thing in the N.T. with regard to Herod’s temple. The Lord Jesus “departed from the temple” for the last time, and never returned. He foretold its destruction, Matt. 24. 1-2, and this took place in A.D.70 by the Romans.

A local church or assembly is now a spiritual temple, 1 Cor. 3. 16-17. The Lord is amongst His people, and is seen as walking amongst the golden lampstands, Rev. 1. 13; 2. 1. Even to Ephesus, He said, “I … will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent”, 2. 5. To the church at Laodicea, representing as some believe Christendom today, He said, “I will spue thee out of my mouth”, 3. 16. But this can never happen when faithfulness is displayed.

“I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee”, Heb. 13. 5.