The Way
Sun, Stand Still
The day the Lord listened to one man's prayer
Story
When he heard that Gibeon had made peace with Israel, Adoni Zedek king of Jerusalem was terrified. He sent word to the kings of Hebron, Jarmuth, Lachish and Eglon. Come up and help me, and let us attack Gibeon. Soon the armies of the five kings surrounded Gibeon. The Gibeonites sent word urgently to Joshua at the camp in Gilgal. Do not abandon your servants. Come up quickly and save us.
The Lord said to Joshua, Do not be afraid of them, for I have handed them over to you. Joshua marched all night up the mountain road from Gilgal and fell on them at dawn. The Lord threw the enemy into confusion, and as they fled down the slope of Beth Horon, great hailstones poured down on them from the sky. More died from the hail than from the sword.
That day, in the sight of all Israel, Joshua spoke to the Lord. Sun, stand still over Gibeon. Moon, stop over the Valley of Aijalon. The sun stood in the middle of the sky and did not hurry to go down for almost a whole day. Never before or since has there been a day like it, when the Lord listened to a human voice like this. For the Lord fought for Israel.
Walk this scene on the map →God's Words
Do not be afraid of them. I have handed them over to you; not one of them will be able to stand against you.
Sun, stand still over Gibeon. Moon, stop over the Valley of Aijalon.
Do not abandon your servants. Come up quickly, save us and help us.
The sayings are fresh renderings of the original meaning in today's language. Text: Josh 10:1–15
Background
Gibeon is el Jib, about nine kilometres northwest of Jerusalem, where jar handles inscribed with the name Gibeon and a large water pool have been excavated. As for the sun standing still, views differ: some take it as a literal miracle, others as poetic language quoted from the Book of Jashar.
Pause and Reflect
Do I keep the promises I have made, even when they work against me?