Taking The Gifts Of God

“And Jehovah said unto Joshua, See I have given into thy hand Jericho, and the king thereof,
and the mighty men of valor.” Joshua 6:2.

According to some theories of Gift and Grace, this promise says” (1) you already have the city
and can’t lose it; and (2) no condition could possibly be asked of you, for then this would not be a
gift. Evidently God had not read that particular theory, or did not subscribe to it, for in the next three
verses He instructs Joshua concerning specific conditions that must be met in order to obtain the
city of Jericho.

Using a specific marching order, the people were to march about the city once a day for six days.
Then, on the seventh day, they were to circle the city seven times, then some special sounding of
the trumpets was to be made, and the people were to shout with a great shout.

Faithful Obedience

When God specifies, the faithful obey specifically. This is the kind of evidence of faith that God has
always required; nor may His promises be enjoyed until we show such faith.
God promised— but the city stood. Joshua and the people marched — but the city stood. They
marched, again and again — but the city stood. On the seventh day they marched seven times —
but the city stood. Then the priests blew the trumpets, and Joshua said, “Shout; for Jehovah hath
given you the city.” “Hath given” mind you, — yet the city stood. Then It Was “All Over But The
Shouting”

“—the people shouted with a great shout, and the wall fell down flat, the people went up into the
city every man straight before him, and—” WHAT’S THIS??? Joshua 6:20 says, “they took the
city.” Took it?? I thought this was a gift of God? Yet that’s what the Bible says; and there goes
man’s Gift and Grace theory.
Did God Give The City?
Yes indeed! The marching, blowing, and shouting did not produce the collapsed wall. This was
brought about by the power of God. He could and did cause those walls to fall without the
assistance of any man. By His power Jericho could be put at the mercy of any to whom He saw fit
to give it. And He saw fit to give it to those who would trust Him explicitly — do exactly what He
said for them to do. Joshua and the Israelites had this kind of faith, and so obtained the gift of God
— Jericho.

Simple Application

Salvation is a gift of God. It is made possible by His power, love, and plan — centered in the
sacrifice of His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ. Sins are not erased by the waters of baptism —
any more than the walls fell because of the marching. But to whom does God give this gift? He
says He will give it to the believing, who repent and are baptized. (Mk. 16:16 Acts 2:38) The gift is
ready for those who will take it according to the specific instructions of God. – Robert F Turner