The Day the Sun Stood Still

“The Day the Sun Stood Still”

Thousands upon thousands of footsteps fell silent only to be replaced by the clanking of spears and shields.  The sounds from a massive number of anxious warriors reverberated through the darkness.  Dust mingled, flirted, and then lifted skyward with the hot moist breath from thousands of souls.  Night concealed much, but it couldn’t hide the unsettling rhythm of an army preparing for battle.  War, admittedly obscene and ugly, was nearly upon them.  Like an unseen electrical current, nervous energy flowed and amplified through the pores of each man’s skin.  The culminating charge was explosive. 

Behind a mask of layered dirt and sweat, a grim, hardened, and steely-eyed figure stood alone at the front of the cacophony of sound.  Previous years of campaigns had carved wrinkles and scars into his features.  He seemed alone, yet he stood side-by-side with his strong faith in God.  He was a leader, militarily, and spiritually.  His name was Joshua.

He could hear the enormity of what was coming by listening to the on-going preparations behind him.  He was their General, yet the burden of command fell heavily upon his shoulders.  Thousands would die, he knew, but he found solace in just one thing - God had assured them victory.

Joshua closed his eyes and silently repeated God’s words.  “Do not be afraid of them; I have given them into your hand. Not one of them will be able to withstand you.”

Joshua opened his eyes and fastened his gaze upon the flickering torches of Gibeon.  Fatigue morphed into determination and focus.  An all-night march from Gilgal camp had brought his army within striking distance.  The advantage of a surprise attack would, no doubt, pay dividends in the ensuing battle.  The five kings of the Amorites and their forces would soon feel the cold piercing sting of Israelite swords.

Joshua clinched his jaw and then issued the command.  Like a river of lava, the Israelites flowed into the city of Gibeon undeterred.  The enemy collapsed under the destructive onslaught.  

In disarray, the remaining Amorite forces fled, but there was no escaping the wrath of the Lord.  Joshua’s army stubbornly pursued while hailstones rained down from heaven above.  Death came by hailstone or blade.  No mercy could be found behind or above as the sun crawled upwards.  Absolute annihilation was the goal.  

Amorite blood dripped from the tip of Joshua’s sword as he scanned the horizon ahead.  The battle raged on under the arcing sun.  Time was running out.  Joshua knew more daylight was needed.  Complete victory was only assured with the extension of the day.  Bold in faith, confident in God’s promise, Joshua asked the Lord to make the sun stand still.

I shook my head vigorously and took the picture.  I needed to get moving.  Exploration had consumed valuable time.  The sun hung lower in the sky than I had expected and had briefly triggered the story of Joshua and the defeat of the Amorites in my mind (Joshua Ch. 10).   With no headlight on my bike, time was running out considering the number of miles I still needed to travel.  Joshua and I, both, needed more daylight.

I have imagined the miraculous story of Joshua and the prolonged day in similar details before, but it had never registered how amazing the miracle was until I needed more daylight myself.  Imagine stopping or even slowing down the rotation of the earth!

In my mind, the day the sun stood still ranks as one of the most amazing miracles in the Bible.

There are a lot of theories out there to try to explain the miracle within the laws of physics.  (I.e. an eclipse, an asteroid, local refraction).  Some even try to give substance to the miracle by using unsubstantiated legends from other cultures in different parts of the world.  In truth, does that prove or disprove the miracle?

Speculation on how God performed a miracle is interesting to a point, but, in the end, as Christians, we must have faith.  

And, honestly, I think that is what God always intended.

Do you believe or not?

“And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.”

Hebrews 11:6 NIV