Joel M Bradshaw

The sun stopped in the midst of heaven and did not hurry to set for about a whole day. 14There has been no day like it before or since, when the LORD heeded the voice of a man, for the LORD fought for Israel.–Joshua 10

Recently, I had a very busy day and that particular day happened to be the ONE time in two weeks when it hadn’t rained. I had to get the lawn mowed and I was frustrated that I wouldn’t have enough daylight to get it done before it started raining again. As I walked up and down the yard, I began thinking that I wish I had more sunlight. Even though I understood the science, I was wishing the sun wouldn’t set just yet, but would just stay in place to give me a little more light. I wasn’t thinking about the science, I was thinking about the lawn and wanting more time.

Let’s then take this verse topically.

1. SCIENCE. We know that the science of astronomy doesn’t work this way. The sun doesn’t simply pass across the sky as if the earth is stationary. But in a time before telescopes, the people could only describe what they saw. And from our perspective it does appear that the sun is the mover rather than the earth. Not only does the Bible present even the heroes of the faith ‘warts’ and all, but it describes people with the beliefs that they had on matters. The point of this passage isn’t to talk about astronomy, but about God making the day longer so Joshua’s armies could keep winning.
2. MIRACLE. For those of us wanting to apply science to the Bible, we have to understand that our God is a God who occasionally works miracles that defy scientific understanding. Days do not become longer. This was a miracle. The text is clear that God did something special that day that has never happened before or since.
3. GOD. The verb used here is a famous one. It’s a form of shema as in Deuteronomy 6:4 “Here O Israel…” So it essentially means that God heard and obeyed Joshua. I actually have more of a concern with the theology here than the science. I can wrap my brain around God working a miracle. I cannot comprehend a God who obeyed a man. Yet I think if we read this chapter in light of what God had already been doing with Joshua, we get our answer. In chapter 1, God had proclaimed that he would be with Joshua and exalted Joshua in the sight of all the people. He told him to be strong and courageous because He was with Joshua. I think it was for moments like this. For Joshua to see God’s hand at work and to boldly call out for God to act. The theology here isn’t that Joshua was able to command God, but that Joshua had the bold faith that God required and God graciously acted.

“Again, truly I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything they ask for, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven. For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.” (Matthew 18:19-20)

When we pray in Jesus Name, we are aligning our purposes with God. We don’t pray selfishly in Jesus’ Name and expect God to act. We pray for Thy will to be done with the certainty that His will is always done. I see that same idea here. God was working and Joshua called out for God to continue working. Joshua’s prayer didn’t change God’s plan, but it did give a PUBLIC OPPORTUNITY to see God further at work in the situation. God was already fighting for Israel.

God would in the book of Judges (chapter 6) allow Gideon to test him repeatedly with miracles. Gideon was afraid and not trusting. And by God’s grace, he allowed himself to be tested and acted according to the commands of Gideon. The point was not only Gideon’s fear, but also God’s gracious plan. Joshua didn’t command God here out of fear, but faith. He was strong and courageous as God commanded him to be. God expected Joshua to lead out of faith and Joshua did. I see the point here not that Joshua bossed God around, but that God graciously worked a miracle and used Joshua as part of the plan.

God exalted Joshua in the same way he once exalted Moses. Moses had been commissioned by God at the burning bush to back to Egypt. God told Moses that Israel would believe and follow him. But then Moses started wavering and asking about what if they didn’t. God gave Moses miracles on command to use in that situation.

Then the Lord said, “If they do not believe you or pay attention to the first sign, they may believe the second. But if they do not believe these two signs or listen to you, take some water from the Nile and pour it on the dry ground. The water you take from the river will become blood on the ground.” (Exodus 4:8-9).

Moses was able to command a miracle at a moment’s notice to show God’s commission of him. I see a faith moment like that for Joshua here and God graciously acting in a way that further exalts Joshua in the eyes of the people he was leading in God’s Name!–JMB