The Sun and Moon Stood Still
Have you ever had one of those moments when time seemed to stand still? In today’s increasingly fast-paced world, it seems like entire days, entire weeks, even entire months, fly by without us even noticing. One day blurs into the next, leaving us wondering where time has gone.
But occasionally, something really grabs our attention, and time seems to stand still. My wife and I love watching sunrises and sunsets. Time seems to slow down for us in those brief moments. Maybe for you it is a piece of music or artwork. I think back to seeing my soon-to-be-wife for the first time in her wedding dress. Time stood still in that moment.
How about this week’s total solar eclipse? If you were fortunate enough to be close to the path of 100% totality, this rare celestial event was a pretty awe-inspiring sight. Where I live, while it was mostly cloudy that day, we had about 92% blockage, and it was still pretty cool.
Awe-inspiring moments influence our perception of time. In essence, when we focus on the present, time gets sliced up into smaller segments, making each moment seem more expansive. Those moments tend to keep us from rushing off to the next thing. Time stands still.
We know that time does not really stand still. It just seems that way sometimes. However, many years ago, there was once a day when time did stand still. Actually, it was the Sun that stood still, probably making it seem as if time had stood still. Let me explain.
Earth rotates on its axis once a day and orbits the Sun once a year. The Sun appears to rise and set due to Earth’s rotation. So, does the Sun move too? While it appears to be stationary, the Sun does in fact move, rotating on its axis once every 27 days. And it takes approximately 225 million Earth years for the Sun to make one complete orbit around the center of the Milky Way Galaxy.
Now, the context for today’s writing. As found in the Old Testament book of Joshua, upon entering the Promised Land, the Israelites conquered the cities of Jericho and Ai. Soon thereafter, they would engage in two more campaigns against the wicked nations of Canaan. The Israelites battled the five kings of the Amorites and their armies at Gibeon (Joshua 10:5).
Joshua needed more time to defeat the armies. Haven’t we all asked for more time at some point. Joshua needed more daylight. He needed the Sun to stand still. So, what did he do? He asked God for help. Do you ask God for what you need? Here is what we read – “Then Joshua spoke to the Lord … sun, stand still at Gibeon, and moon, in the Valley of Aijalon” (Joshua 10:12).
And how did God respond? – “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” (v.13). The Book of Jashar is a collection of ancient Israelite poems quoted throughout the OT.
You can read the extended narrative in its context in Joshua chapters 9-12.
We are not told how God stopped the Sun any more than we are told how He miraculously fed thousands of people with only five fish and two loaves of bread. The book of Joshua is a historical book filled with real people, places, and events. It is not a book of poetry or prophecy, one that then would be filled with figurative language. I see nothing in this narrative that suggests we interpret the standing still of the sun as anything but literal.
Maybe right now, you need a miracle, an answer to prayer. Joshua prayed. God supernaturally provided the light needed to win the battle. Do you believe that God can answer your prayers? He can act in ways that you and I neither imagine nor understand. God can and does listen to the cries of His children when we pray according to His purposes (Psalm 145:18; Matthew 6:9-13; 1 John 5:14).
The sun and moon stood still for Joshua. God might just do the same for you!
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