Joshua 10:12-14, “Then spake Joshua to the LORD in the day when the LORD delivered up the Amorites before the children of Israel, and he said in the sight of Israel, Sun, stand thou still upon Gibeon; and thou, Moon, in the valley of Ajalon. And the sun stood still, and the moon stayed, until the people had avenged themselves upon their enemies. Is not this written in the book of Jasher? So the sun stood still in the midst of heaven, and hasted not to go down about a whole day. And there was no day like that before it or after it, that the LORD hearkened unto the voice of a man: for the LORD fought for Israel.”
I read something disturbing today in The Times Of Israel, attributing the miracle of the sun standing still for a day in the Old Testament book of Joshua, as a mere eclipse:
‘Joshua stopped the sun’ 3,224 years ago today, scientists say
Cambridge researchers announced Monday that they have pinpointed the date of the biblical account of Joshua stopping the sun — which they claim is the day of the oldest eclipse ever recorded — to October 30, 1207 BCE, exactly 3,224 years ago. SOURCE: ‘Joshua stopped the sun’ 3,224 years ago today, scientists say
Dear reader, that is untrue! It was not an eclipse. God worked a miracle per request by Joshua, so that Israel could finish the battle before sunset! The Bible says that Joshua commanded for the sun and moon to stand still for a reason, so they could have light to fight. The Bible says the Israelites kept fighting against the Amorites until they won the battle! God was the One Who gave them the victory.
We might say, "How little Joshua knew." But he knew his God! He knew that God had promised to go before His people to fight their battles and give them victory (Joshua 10:8). And in this battle he saw victory in its grasp, but time was running out. If he didn't conquer the enemy before dark, they would regroup and attack Israel the next day. Knowing his God, his Gods power, and his Gods promise, he called out to God for help, and in the presence of all Israel, he commanded the "sun to stand still." But the sun was already standing still, Joshua. It is the earth that moves, not the sun. Why didn't Joshua cry out, "Earth quit moving," or "Earth, slow down your spinning on your axis to prolong time."
Joshua had no idea that his command slowed down 6.6 sextrillion tons of spinning gravel and water to give Israel victory over her enemies. But Joshua did know something that God had revealed to him. Over 3,000 years ago he said something that would have met the approval of todays scientific establishment. His command in the Hebrew language was not "Sun, stand thou still," but "Sun, cease acting, or "Sun, stop working." It was then that the gravitational pull of the sun affected the earth. It was then the earth began to slow down and the day was lengthened.
SOURCE: (Robert Boyd, Boyds Bible Handbook, Eugene, Oregon: Harvest House, 1983 p. 124).
Furthermore, if you want to look at science, there has never been an eclipse of the sun longer than 7 minutes and 32 seconds. The Bible says that the sun stood still for one whole day. So this couldn't have been a mere eclipse, if you want to only talk about science and deny a miracle working God. The Bible says it was a miracle of God, which caused the sun to stand still for 24 hours. Did the earth stop rotating? I do not know. The Bible says that the sun stood still, but if the earth was still turning, then the sun would have moved. I am not an astronomer, but I do know a little bit about astronomy. I know that BOTH the earth and the sun are always moving. So for the sun to stand still, both the sun and moon would have had to cease moving. Dear friend, all we need to know is that THE SUN STOOD STILL FOR 24 HOURS!
I feel sorry for lost sinners who don't believe in a miracle working God. ...
Romans 1:20-23, “For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things.”
The wacky ideas of evolution are blatant fraud! It is indeed very disturbing when wicked people attempt to explain away a miracle working God. I bought the wonderful 1956 classic movie “The Ten Commandments,” starring actor Charlton Heston (1923-2008). I have the special edition which comes with 2 CD's. The second disk explains how they made the film. It is very interesting. After completing the film, producer Cecil B. DeMille (1881-1959) ordered the stage destroyed, so it couldn't be used in another film. But something that disturbed me and mad me sad, was that on the second disk a woman explains away all the miracles of God. She gives scientific explanations for all of the 10 plagues on Egypt.
She says in the documentary about the movie that a volcano erupted. The lava allegedly turned the local waters in Egypt red like blood. This natural disaster, as she claims, drove the frogs from their natural habit, invading Egypt with frogs. On and on she went, dismissing all the wonderful miracles of almighty God as mere coincidences of science. Dear reader, that is a wicked thing to do! I wouldn't want to be in her shoes on judgment day, when she faces God someday in eternity (Romans 14:10-12; Ecclesiastes 12:13-14; Proverbs 24:12; Hebrews 4:13; Matthew 12:36).
I feel sorry for The Times Of Israel, who attempt to dismiss a miracle working God. Joshua ordered the sun to stand still, and God honored his request. Genesis 18:14, “Is any thing too hard for the LORD? At the time appointed I will return unto thee, according to the time of life, and Sarah shall have a son.” No dear friend, there is NOTHING too hard for the Lord to do. God is a miracle working God!!! Whether He wants to do a miracle in response to our prayer is a different matter entirely. As believers we ought to live BY FAITH.
I trust the Lord by faith. That means I KNOW my God does miracles. I pray to God about many things. Whether He chooses to answer is not my concern, that is solely the Lord's department. If we pray and then quit praying, because we don't see the results we expected, then we are sinfully walking BY SIGHT (2nd Corinthians 5:7). “THE JUST SHALL LIVE BY HIS FAITH” (Habakkuk 2:4b).