The Pulpit Commentary — Joshua — Section 328

Ver. 1.-Shiloh. Shiloh was at once the seat of public worship r.nd the centre of tribal union ; the symbol of established peace and the witness to that Divine law on which the maintenance of peace and prosperity depended. Christendom needs its Sbilohs. It is true that our privileges of worship are not con.fined to consecrated buildings, holy clays, priestly ministrations, and church ordinances. Anywhere, on the lonely hill-side or in the busy street, at any hour-in the silent night or at the noisy noon-every Christian can claim the privilege of one of God's priests and offer up secret worship, which God will accept and bless. There is often a depth and spirituality in such worship which is not attained in the observance of public religious services. Nevertheless there are special advantages connected with public worship. I. PUBLIO WORSHIP AFFORDS AN OPPORTUNITY FOR SPIRITUAL REST. The taber- nacle was set up when "the land was subdued." The seat of worship was named " Shiloh," the "place of peace." Our churches should be homes of spiritual peace; our Sundays, Sabbaths of spiritual rest. The ejaculatory prayer of sudden emer- ge~cies, and the " praying without ceasing" of tho~e who " walk "!th Go(l_" anc1 enJoy constant co=union with Him, are not sufficient means for withdrawl.llg us from the spirit of the world and revealing to us the h~ights and depths of heavenly things. For this we want a more complete separnt10n from co=on scenes, ancl a longer season of quiet meditation. II. PUBLIC WORSHIP AFFORDS THE MEANS FOR THE OUTWil\D EXPRESSION OF SPIRITUAL WORSHIP. All trne worship must be internal an<l spi1·!tual (John iv. 2-!). External ordinances without this are a mockery ; but spmtual worship will natlll'nlly seek some external expression. The Lody is so coi:inectecl with the soul that all emotion tends to bodily manifestations-joy to smiles, s~now to tears, anger to frowns. So emotions of worship find their outlet m articulate prayers and songs of prnise. Such expression is (1) natlll'al, (2) helpful. Ill. PUBLIC WORSHIP IS AN OCCASION FOR A PUBLIC TESTIMON1'. TO RELIGION. The tabernacle was set up in the sight of the people as a visible w1tn_ess for God. We have our" altars of witness." It is Olli' duty (1) to confess our faith (:lbLt._x. 82) ; (2) to glo1'ify God by decla1·ing His character to the world and thankmg I-Ii,m before men for the blessings we have received; (8) to pi·each Clmst by makmg t110 light of His gospel shine through the worship of His Church (l\Iatt. v. 13-16). IV. PUBLlO WORSHIP 18 A BTIMULUii TO PRIVATE DEVQ:rION, It counteracts the 276 THE BOOK OF JO SHU A. [ca. xvm. 1-28.