Joshua 10:12-14 (NKJV)
Joshua 10:14 (ESV)
The miracle found in Joshua Chapter 10 is definitely an enigma. When I started studying this chapter for this lesson, my research and prayer focused on finding some kind of answer or reason God did the miracle. I didn’t find anything in scripture (elsewhere) that explained the miracle.
This was the miracle that occurred in the Valley of Aijalon:
Joshua 10:12-14
“Then Joshua spoke to the Lord in the day when the Lord delivered up the Amorites before the children of Israel, and he said in the sight of Israel:
“Sun, stand still over Gibeon;
And Moon, in the Valley of Aijalon.”
So the sun stood still,
And the moon stopped,
Till the people had revenge
Upon their enemies.
Is this not written in the Book of Jasher? So the sun stood still in the midst of heaven, and did not hasten to go down for about a whole day. And there has been no day like that, before it or after it, that the Lord heeded the voice of a man; for the Lord fought for Israel.”
The scripture verses leading up to Joshua 10:12 tell us that Joshua was engaged in battle after battle as he fought to take the promised land.. The ‘charge given to Joshua by God was that he would ‘claim’ that land for Israel. Joshua was in the business of doing just that, but in Joshua 10 his plans took an unexpected turn.
-Joshua had defeated Ai
-the King of Jerusalem freaks out because he knows Joshua is coming for his city
-Gibeon (a great city) made peace with Joshua
-the other 5 Kings decided to band together to fight Gibeon because they were afraid of Joshua from Israel; I think they reasoned if they could defeat Gideon they might be able to defeat Israel (they were from the cities of Jerusalem, Hebron, Jarmuth, Lachish, and Eglon)
-the 5 Kings marched toward Gibeon
-In verse 6 the King of Gibeon sent word to Joshua asking for help
-In verse 9 Joshua (Israel) marched to help Gibeon
-in verse 10 the Lord threw the 5 Kings into a panic
-In verse 11 the 5 Kings fled (which didn’t help them because the Lord cast large hailstones down on them).
-In verse 12 Joshua spoke to the Lord
-In verse 13 God answered in a mighty way that has never happened before or since...the sun and moon stood still so Joshua could fight
-In verse 14 “There has been no day like it before or since, when the Lord heeded the voice of a man, for the Lord fought for Israel (ESV)
Just out of curiosity after I studied the scripture, I turned to science to see if there were any references about the results of a missing day. I also did research to see if scientists could prove or disprove ‘the missing day’ (https://answersingenesis.org/creationism/arguments-to-avoid/have-nasa-computers-proved-joshuas-long-day/). The link attached led to an article (really a series of articles) that states some believe the battle occurred on day 2555 B.C. after creation. So, according to the link above decades ago, scientists at NASA did try to look at the solar system dating back around that time but the findings were inconclusive because “In order for a discrepancy to be found, we must know exactly where things were at some time in the past prior to Joshua’s long day.” I did not find anything from NASA that supported the findings in the article.
What I do believe is scripture is true. I do believe God can and did stop the sun and the moon “because the Lord fought for Israel”.
That gives me great hope. Because we ask...God listens. God did a great miracle that day for Joshua and Israel and God still does miracles for us today when we ask.
I also believe every day holds the possibility of a miracle.
So, why did God DO the miracle in Joshua Chapter 10? It’s because Joshua asked and God CAN.
Today’s Spiritual Practice is: Ask for a Miracle
If you have been struggling with something or someone, ask God for a miracle.
Thank God for answering!
In Jesus, Deb
Deborah Ireland Douglas Jones
acrazyjourney.com
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