Our Daily Homily
Inspiring thoughts from theologian and preacher F.B. Meyer.
Until Shiloh come, and unto Him shall the obedience of the
peoples be - Genesis 49:10
Old experience is
said to attain to something of prophetic strain; but there is more than old
experience here. From these aged lips the Holy Ghost is speaking.
The
mission and work of Jesus are designated. - He is Shiloh - the Maker, Giver, and
Bringer of Peace. The troubled conscience, smitten with conviction, finds peace
when He reveals His all sufficient sacrifice and atonement. The discordant
elements within us settle into a great calm when He enters to reign, bringing
every thought into captivity to His rule. Nor is His work for individuals only;
it is for man, for the world, the universe. Peace was made at His cross; it is
proclaimed by His Spirit; and it will be consummated when God is All in
all.
The time of His advent predicted. - Not till the Romans came and
annexed Palestine as one of the provinces of the empire, did the semblance of
the Hebrew monarchy expire. And it was then that the Shiloh came. Surely these
words must often have been quoted by the pious Jews, with whom Simeon and Anna
consorted, as pointing to the near advent of the Messiah. Let us be wise to
discern the symptoms of His second advent.
The inevitableness of His
dominion. - Ah, Saviour, it is predicted that all peoples shall obey Thee; and
we know well that it is only through obedience that men can enter into Thy
peace. Teach us to obey, to do all Thy commands, to bear all Thy burdens, to
wait before Thee, that thus we may know the peace that passeth all
understanding.
Ponder this well, O my soul; the Peace-giver must be
obeyed. Only so can He give thee peace that floweth as a river.