Until Shiloh Comes

UNTIL SHILOH COMES

The quavering, cracked voice rose and fell like a gossamer web on a breath of wind. An old man lay dying, propped on sheepskin pillows, as two female family members hovered nearby. Daughter, Dinah, offered him sips of water, while Rodah, one of many granddaughters gently smoothed the wispy white hair back from his wrinkled forehead.

Jacob’s twelve sons had gathered at his bedside, and as many others of the burgeoning family as could, crowded into the tent. Jacob was giving them his final blessings, which for some, amounted to a rebuke. Smoky oil lamps hung from the tent poles, and the flickering light cast shadows on the sombre faces surrounding Jacob’s bed. A desert breeze stirred the tent flaps but the air inside the tent was heavy and close.

Jacob struggled to raise himself and the two women hurried to help him. “Judah…Judah,” Jacob whispered hoarsely. Pushing through those standing closest to the ancient patriarch, Judah responded, “I am here, Father.”

“You are a lion’s cub, Judah; you return from the prey, my son…..the scepter will not depart from Judah….” And here Jacob’s voice faded; he gasped a few times, then continued, haltingly. His voice was raspy, yet the unmistakable authority as patriarch of the clan was clearly evident. “Nor the ruler’s staff from between his feet, until Shiloh comes, and unto him shall the gathering of the people be.”

Judah unconsciously squared his shoulders and stood straighter, as a thrill went through the crowd. “Until Shiloh comes….” It was repeated through the ranks from one to another in soft voices as they looked at each other with wonder-filled eyes. “Until Shiloh comes!” It seemed to carry a sense of enigma and mystery, of an Event in the distant future, far off down the corridors of centuries. Who was Shiloh and what did it mean?

Jacob continued his final words, naming his remaining sons, pronouncing prophetic blessing and warnings over each. All the while, Judah, transfixed in his own thoughts asked himself: “Ruler’s staff? Scepter? Would this ‘Shiloh’ be one of my own descendants—a prince? Maybe even a King?”

He could not have known that some 250 years later, another prophecy would be given by a renegade prophet, Balaam: “There shall come a star out of Jacob, and a Sceptre shall rise out of Israel….”

Nor could Judah have foreseen that more than a thousand years later one of his progeny, Possessor of Judah’s own DNA, would be the Prince of Peace, King of Kings, Lord of Lords, and that the government would be upon His shoulders. If Judah had only known…perhaps certain aspects of his life would have been different. Or maybe nothing would have changed, who knows?

No one can know the future. It stretches out into the vast, unrevealed reaches of time. God will, at times, give hints—-glimpses, even—-to potential and opportunity. If I knew that one of MY descendants would be the Son of God, would I have committed some of the sinful, even heinous, acts that Judah did?

We have no say in our destiny and portion, but we DO have control over how this comes about, and in what time-frame, in our own life-time. Our choices and decisions can delay or even alter the outcome, not only for ourselves, but for our descendants and the heritage we leave them. Fortunately for hopelessly-lost humankind, in God’s sovereignty the Messiah, Shiloh came....inexorably on schedule—-in the fullness of time.

The Father's Face

A couple of years ago I had occasion on a number of times during the church service to observe a father holding his two-year old son, John Nathan. The little one would often sit in his father’s arms facing his dad. Since they sat on the opposite side from where I was, toward the front, I couldn’t see Mike’s face, but I could see John Nathan’s. The small boy would look into his father’s face with love, security, and safety shining in his eyes. I didn’t have to see the father’s face to know that John Nathan’s expression was a reflection of what was shining from his father’s face. There was no guilt, no under-lying fear. This wonderful little boy probably had done things to require his father to mete out some form of punishment—but John Nathan knew he was fully accepted by his dad—no matter what.

I remembered that today in the Sunday morning service, as we were reminded over and over of our Father’s perfect love. I wondered, does my face reflect my Heavenly Father’s love? Can others see that in me? Can I look into His eyes, receive His love and acceptance—and reciprocate with my own love and worship

Things I Learn From My Garden

I dream of a Victorian garden in my backyard, with sun-sparkled, gentle fountains, a curving stone path, elegantly pruned hedges, statuary, and bright flower beds throughout. The reality, however, is two small flower beds and a few hostas. Sigh.

I still enjoy gardening and often think about life-lessons you can learn from it. Probably is why Jesus used farming and gardening to teach his disciples.

Gardens require a lot of care. I lost some plantings because I was too busy to tend to them--snails and drought got to most of the hostas. Weeds overgrew the impatiens and slowed their growth greatly. My spiritual life requires a lot of tending to. Busyness is the worst enemy.

Weeds need to be pulled up before they get too large, but it's easier when they're big enough to see and get a hold of. As soon as the Holy Spirit points to something in me, I need to deal with it, but I have to be able to see it first--I mean REALLY see it for what it is. Not just a tiny little quirk of personality--but SIN. "Uproot it, Holy Spirit. Change my heart, Oh God."

I learn a lot from my garden -- I'll "cogitate" some more on this subject later....