John Calvin Commentary Joshua 18:1

"And the whole congregation of the children of Israel assembled themselves together at Shiloh, and set up the tent of meeting there: and the land was subdued before them." — Joshua 18:1 (ASV)

And the whole congregation of the children of Israel, etc. Here we have a narrative of the celebrated convention held in Shiloh, where they deliberated about casting the remaining lots. For although with pious zeal they had attempted casting lots, the proceeding had been interrupted, as if victory needed to precede the distribution which depended solely on God’s command.

Therefore, they assembled in Shiloh to determine what needed to be done in the future. And there is no doubt that Joshua summoned this meeting to rouse them from their lethargy.

For they did not come forward spontaneously with any proposal, but he began by rebuking them for being sluggish and remiss in entering on the inheritance God had bestowed on them. It is easy to infer from his speech that they had shown great eagerness at the beginning, but that they had not persevered.

And yet that obedience, which shortly after grew languid, was honored with the approval of the Holy Spirit. It should be observed that the people are blamed, not for neglecting to proceed with the lot, but for not occupying the inheritance divinely offered to them. And certainly, as the distribution by lot was a sign of confidence, so each district which fell to each was a sure and faithful pledge of future possession, for the Lord was not at all deceiving them in assigning to each his portion.

The word דפה, which I have translated “to cease,” also signifies to be remiss or feeble. He charges them, therefore, with shameful faintheartedness, because while the full time for routing the enemy had arrived, they by their delays delayed and suspended the effect of divine goodness. For had they been contented with the lot alone, and faithfully embraced the results which it gave, they would doubtless have been prompt and expeditious in carrying on the war; indeed, they would have hastened like conquerors to a triumph.

The ark is said to have been stationed at Shiloh, not only that the consultation might be more solemn and sacred, as held in the presence of God, but because it was a completely subdued place, and safe from all external violence and injury. For they needed to take special care to prevent its exposure to sudden assault. No doubt the hand of God would have been stretched out to ward off attacks of the enemy from any quarter; still, however, though God dwelled among them, they were to be regarded as its guardians and attendants.

But although a station for the ark was chosen then, it was not a permanent dwelling place, but only a temporary lodging. For it was not left to the will or votes of the people to fix the seat where God should dwell, but they needed to wait for the period so often referred to in the Law, when He was to establish the memorial of His name elsewhere. This was finally accomplished when Mount Zion was set apart for the Temple. For this reason it is said in the Psalm:

Our feet shall stand within your gates, O Jerusalem.
(Psalms 122:2)

These words indicate that up to that time the ark was journeying. Finally, the ruin and devastation of Shiloh showed that no rank or dignity can shield those who corrupt God’s blessings from His vengeance. Up to the death of Eli, God allowed His sacred name to be worshipped there; but when all religion was polluted by the impiety of the priests, and almost abolished by the ingratitude of the people, that spot became for posterity a striking example of punishment. Accordingly, Jeremiah tells the inhabitants of Jerusalem, who were proudly boasting of their Temple, to turn their eyes to that example. Speaking in the name of the Lord, he says:

Go now to my place which was in Shiloh, where I first set my name, and see what I did to it for the wickedness of my people Israel. (Jeremiah 7:12)