Joshua 10:4-14
4 “Come up to me and help me, and let us strike Gibeon. For it has made peace with Joshua and with the people of Israel.” 5 Then the five kings of the Amorites, the king of Jerusalem, the king of Hebron, the king of Jarmuth, the king of Lachish, and the king of Eglon, gathered their forces and went up with all their armies and encamped against Gibeon and made war against it.
6 And the men of Gibeon sent to Joshua at the camp in Gilgal, saying, “Do not relax your hand from your servants. Come up to us quickly and save us and help us, for all the kings of the Amorites who dwell in the hill country are gathered against us.” 7 So Joshua went up from Gilgal, he and all the people of war with him, and all the mighty men of valor. 8 And the Lord said to Joshua, “Do not fear them, for I have given them into your hands. Not a man of them shall stand before you.” 9 So Joshua came upon them suddenly, having marched up all night from Gilgal. 10 And the Lord threw them into a panic before Israel, who struck them with a great blow at Gibeon and chased them by the way of the ascent of Beth-horon and struck them as far as Azekah and Makkedah. 11 And as they fled before Israel, while they were going down the ascent of Beth-horon, the Lord threw down large stones from heaven on them as far as Azekah, and they died. There were more who died because of the hailstones than the sons of Israel killed with the sword.
12 At that time Joshua spoke to the Lord in the day when the Lord gave the Amorites over to the sons of Israel, and he said in the sight of Israel,
“Sun, stand still at Gibeon,
and moon, in the Valley of Aijalon.”
13 And the sun stood still, and the moon stopped,
until the nation took vengeance on their enemies.
Is this not written in the Book of Jashar? The sun stopped in the midst of heaven and did not hurry to set for about a whole day. 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.
1) To play his faithful part, Joshua responded with immediate
“I never look at the masses…. I look only at the individual. I can love only one person at a time. … Just one, one, one.” - Mother Teresa
2) God’s response to Joshua’s obedience included giving him
“No one will be able to stand against you all the days of your life. … Be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people to inherit the land.” - Joshua 1:5-6
15 “Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God’s. …17 You will not have to fight this battle. Take up your positions; stand firm and see the deliverance the Lord will give you.” - 2 Chronicles 20:15-17
“The mind which asks for a non-miraculous Christianity is a mind in process of relapsing from Christianity into mere ‘religion.’” - CS Lewis
“Behold, he who keeps Israel will neither slumber nor sleep.” - Psalm 121:4
In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” - John 16:29-33
Questions for Further Discussion
Discovery
1) What specific actions did the five Amorite kings take against Gibeon (vv. 4-5), and what was Joshua’s immediate response to Gibeon’s plea (vv. 6-7, 9)?
2) Identify the two distinct and extraordinary ways God directly intervened in the battle on Israel’s behalf (vv. 12-14).
Understanding
3) What does God’s reassurance to Joshua (v. 8) and His subsequent miraculous interventions reveal about His commitment to Israel and His power over creation?
4) Consider Joshua’s bold command for the sun and moon to stand still (vv. 12-13). What does this request, and God’s granting of it, teach us about faith, prayer, and the unique nature of this event in salvation history (v. 14)?
Application
5) When facing an overwhelming alliance of “enemies” (challenges, problems, opposition) in your life, how does Israel’s reliance on God’s direct intervention (v. 10) encourage you to pray and act?
6) Joshua boldly asked God for something unprecedented (vv. 12-13). What “impossible” situations in your life or community might God be calling you to approach with audacious faith and prayer?
7) Verse 14 states, “There has been no day like it before or since, when the LORD heeded the voice of a man.” While unique, how can the principle of God working powerfully in response to earnest human appeal inspire your intercession for seemingly insurmountable obstacles?
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