30 NOVEMBER (PREACHED CHRISTMAS MORNING 1769)
Our Deliverer
‘The sceptre shall not depart from Judah, nor a lawgiver from between his feet, until Shiloh come …’ Genesis 49:10
SUGGESTED FURTHER READING: Psalm 72:1–20
To apply the passage to ourselves, I shall speak a little concerning this name of the Redeemer, Shiloh. Many of the Hebrew words have various significations. So has this, and it will bear different translations that are applicable to Christ. And to help you judge for yourselves, I shall mention some suitable passages where the root occurs. The root signifies ‘to loose’ as in Exodus 3 and may be taken more generally to release from any bond or confinement. Thus Shiloh signifies the Deliverer, he who was anointed with power and authority to break open the prison doors and set the prisoners free—to take the prey from the hand of the mighty and to deliver the lawful captive. It denotes a state of prosperity and success. Thus it is used, in Job 12, of the prosperity of the wicked. And the same word occurs in Psalm 122:6–7. Thus it is applicable to Christ in two senses:
(i) to intimate the success and prosperity of his undertakings on behalf of his people. He not only fought but conquered for them, and subdued his and their enemies under his feet, and now he reigns in peace.
(ii) He is the giver and author of peace, prosperity and success to his people. Happy and glorious is the change, when they are freed from the dominion of Satan, and translated under his mild and gracious government. From him they derive all comfort, and by his power they are made more than conquerors.
Believers, fix the eyes of your faith upon this glorious Shiloh.
FOR MEDITATION:
Fervent persevering prayers
Glad the summons they obey,
Are faith’s assured resource,
And liberty desire;
Brazen gates, and iron bars,
Straight their fetters melt away,
In vain withstand their force:
Like wax before the fire:
He can break through walls of stone,
By the word of him who died,
Sink the mountain to a plain;
Guilty prisoners to release;
They, to whom his name is known;
Every door flies open wide,
Can never pray in vain.
And they depart in peace.
SERMON: GENESIS 49:10–12 [3/3] [ALSO PREACHED CHRISTMAS 1780]
Milo 