2020
And Joshua the son of Nun was full of
the spirit of wisdom; for Moses had
laid his hands upon him: and the chil‐
dren of Israel hearkened unto him,
and did as the Lord commanded
Moses (Deu. 34:9).
Joshua, the son of Nun, was given the task
of being the prophet Moses’ successor and
leading the children of Israel in the conquest
of Canaan—the Promised Land. Many cen‐
turies before, God had promised His friend
Abraham that his descendants would pos‐
sess this land and its kingdoms (Acts 12:1-3;
15:13-21). God would fulfill His promise
through Joshua and the children of Israel.
It is one thing to claim to obey God and
it is another to obey God in all things. For
example, the Lord gave Joshua a specific
command how Israel was to conquer the
Canaanite city of Jericho. A procession of
warriors and seven priests with ram’s horn
trumpets were to accompany the carrying
of the Ark of the Covenant, followed by the
rest of Israel, encircling the city once a day
for six days. On the seventh day they were
to march around the city seven times. At the
end of the seventh time on the seventh day
the priests would blow a long blast on the
ram’s horns, accompanied by a shout of the
people and the walls of Jericho would come
down allowing the warriors to attack.
And it shall come to pass, that when
they make a long blast with the ram’s
horn, and when ye hear the sound of
the trumpet, all the people shall shout
with a great shout; and the wall of the
city shall fall down flat, and the people
shall ascend up every man straight be‐
fore him (Jos. 6:5).
Faithful in All Things
Roelf L. Ruffner
Yet, Joshua correctly inferred from God’s command that the people could only shout on the seventh day at Joshua’s command.
And Joshua had commanded the people, saying, Ye shall not shout, nor make any noise with your voice, neither shall any word proceed out of your mouth, until the day I bid you shout; then shall ye shout (6:10). Yet, God did not specifically command that they remain silent. Joshua wanted to obey God in allthings. He correctly inferred that God had implied in His command that there was to be no utterance until he gave the order to shout.
The same principle or law of implication applies today in Christianity. If a doctrine is implicitly taught in the Holy Bible it is binding upon men, not because men have inferred it, but because God has implied it.
In New Testament worship by the church of Christ “singing” is commanded (Col. 3:16-17; Eph. 5:19). We may correctly infer from these verses that mechanical instruments of music may notbe used since the only instrument authorized for the worship of God is the human heart or mind.
And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit; Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord (5:18-19).
God’s and Joshua’s instructions were followed to the letter in the conquest of Jericho. At Joshua’s command the people shouted and the walls of Jericho fell straight forward (Jos. 6:15-21).
What about your worship? If you claim to be a Christian, your worship should be authorized by the Word of God (John 4:24; 12:48; Col. 3:17). It should not be driven by man-made traditions, emotional experience,musical taste,innovation,or even pragmatism. It is to faithfully follow the New Testament. As Jesus said:
This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me from me. But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men (Mat. 15:8-9). Next time you think that you are worshipping God with melodious melodies (However ancient!), blaring guitars, harps, trumpets, flutes, bagpipes, or organs; stop and ask yourself, “Am I worshipping God with His authority or my own opinion?” Are you striving to obey God in all things, including worship?
Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven (7:21).
Columbia, TN