Joshua 18

Chap. XVIII. Ver. 1-10. The Tabernacle set up at Shiloh. —This is the first mention of the Tabernacle entered Canaan about seven people had been so occupied with war, and with the division of the land, that they had thought but little of either the tabernacle or its worship. great activity and bustle, and especially of a military life, to make us forget the service of God I yet it must be confessed, that a life of indolence and luxury is not less inimical to habits of piety and devotion. The Tabernacle had remained during the wars im of the camp of Gilgal; but a more convenient place was now found for it at Shiloh, a city of Ephraim, situated nearly in the centre of the tribes, about ten miles from Shechem, and fifteen from Jerusalem, where it continued, as Usher caleulates, 328 years.

I was perhaps given it from the present peaceful circumstances of the times, when ‘‘ the land rested from war.” (Chap.. xi. 23.) The worship of God being the people, Joshua now urges them to awaken their energies, in order to take possession of the good land which had been assigned to them of God. In order to this, he orders a correct survey to be taken of all marked it into seven suitable portions, it among the seven tribes not yet provided for, maintain his own lot, and, subdue all opposing enemies., Levi was here excepted, because the Lord was his portion; after Israel had years. It should seem, that the It is the natural tendency of a life of and our religious duties; and the midst Its name means tranquil, peaceful; an first established in the midst of the unconquered parts, and having he casts lots to divide that each may