Title: Stay still, Sun / Joshua 10:1-15
Contents
19. Stay, Sun
(Joshua 10:1-15)
There are some very amazing stories in the Bible. Among them are miracles associated with the sun. In 2 Kings 20:1-11, in 2 Kings 20:11, King Hezekiah fell ill and prayed and received an answer. In 2 Kings 20:11, 'The prophet Isaiah prayed to the Lord, and the shadow of the sun that went up on the sign of Ahaz turned back ten degrees. There is a record called .'. And when Jesus died on the cross, a miracle occurred when the sun lost its light. In Luke 23:44, it is written, “It was about the sixth hour, and the sun had lost its light, and darkness fell over all the earth, and it continued until the ninth hour.”
In the book of Joshua we read today, the miracle of the sun staying in the midst of heaven is recorded. However, people who do not believe in this amazing miracle interpret the ‘miracle of the sun’s stay’ differently. Some explain that this prayer was simply Joshua's appeal to him and his army for strength. Or, some interpret that Joshua simply prayed to soften the sun's scorching heat and that God sent a storm accompanied by clouds. There are also interpretations. These interpretations are the thoughts of those who do not believe the content of the Bible as it is. But we believe in this miracle of the Bible as it is. It is important to have faith in what the Bible says as it is. It is important to have faith in the record of the Word, not to interpret it to my liking.
Today, we would like to share the grace with you by examining the lessons we learn from the miracle of the sun's stay.
1. From this miracle, we can see that God is the ruler of heaven and earth.
Only God has the power to make the sun stay in the sky. We must know clearly that our faith is believing in the One who created the heavens and the earth in this way. Psalm 121:1-2 says, “I lift up my eyes to the mountains. Where will my help come from? My help is from the Lord, who made the heavens and the earth.” We must believe and pray that the God who helps us is the Creator of heaven and earth.
2. Looking at the background of this miracle
In Joshua 9, the inhabitants of Gibeon made peace with Israel. When the other tribes of Canaan heard this news, five nations gathered their strength to attack the inhabitants of Gibeon. The inhabitants of Gibeon were so startled that they turned to Israel for help. At this time, Joshua and the Israelites started a battle to help the people of Gibeon.
What we should pay attention to at this time is the reconciliation agreement between the Gibeon residents and Israel. The Gibeonites were tricked to make peace with Israel. However, once a promise is made, it cannot be changed. In 9:19-20, “All the chieftains said to all the congregation, ‘We have sworn to them by the LORD God of Israel, and we will not touch them anymore, lest wrath come upon us because of the oath we swore to them. I will save you.” It teaches us that even promises made with deceit must be kept clearly. In particular, it is a lesson that God always keeps the promises he made with his people.
3. The consequences of those who oppose God.
After the Israelites crossed the Jordan River, they fought in Jericho and Ai. But they were all defensive. However, the allied forces of the five countries attacked the Gibeon residents first. In other words, when they attacked the Gibeon residents who made a covenant with God, God helped the Gibeon residents. In 10:14 it is written, ‘For the LORD has fought for Israel.’ Those who oppose God's people will see God fighting for them. Hail hail fell from the sky and performed a miracle where the sun stayed, and God helped.
Saul of the New Testament persecuted those who believed in Jesus before he believed in Jesus. Then Jesus appeared and said in Acts 9:4, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?” To persecute those who believe in Jesus is to persecute Jesus.
4. Lessons from the Staying Sun of this Age
This war Joshua waged to help the people of Gibeon was against the Amorites' allied forces. One short day was not enough to defeat so many enemies. The day was getting darker. When the sun goes down, there will be an age of darkness. When the age of darkness comes, we can no longer fight for the name of God. So Joshua prayed, “Sun, stay still” before the hour of darkness came. This Joshua's prayer is a prayer that we, who are facing a dark age, should also pray. Let's look around us. Many people refer to this era as the last era. We met the age of darkness and sin, just like the days of Noah and the days of Sodom and Gomorrah. We have come across an era in which the light is gradually disappearing. In this age of darkness, we are instructing us to pray like Joshua did. Jesus is the light. We must bring the light of Jesus Christ into our hearts. When we receive Jesus, who is the light, into our hearts, the rulers of darkness will retreat.
In these last days, to those who want to live for the name of the Lord and to receive the light of Jesus Christ, God still works the miracle of saving sinners, a miracle that is greater than the miracle of the sun staying.