When God goes to battle; even the sun and the moon obey Him. The enemies of Israel were about to learn how true this statement can be.
So when the reigning King of Jerusalem decided to fight against Joshua and Israel; Israel had the warriors from Gibeon as their allies. Good allies always help a victory.
Gibeon was known for growing strong and mighty warriors. These warriors had exchanged their lives for slavery with Israel instead of facing the People of God in battle. Now they would be fighting with Israel.
WELCOME
Welcome to the COME AS A CHILD Thursday bible study. We are all walking through the bible together and have reached Joshua Chapter 9 and 10. We are glad to have you joining in with us. If you wish to keep up with this every-Thursday on-line bible study; just click into the "submit" button above and join our ever-growing group of about 135 members. Your comments and questions are warmly welcomed.
HELP FOR ISRAEL'S ALLIES
Israel's army had already defeated Ai and Jericho.
Now they had Gibeon as an ally.
The other five kings of the land of Canaan and the reigning King of Jerusalem were angry with Gibeon for joining forces with Israel. They decided to fight Gibeon instead of attacking Israel directly. The men of Gibeon sent word to Joshua about what was happening. They asked for his help.
GOD BRINGS ANOTHER VICTORY
Joshua wasn't as careless this time. He prayed to God for advice and instructions.
God told Joshua not to be afraid. He assured Joshua that He would give Israel another victory. Israel was up against five strong kings this time but Joshua put his trust in God and made plans to move.
In the night Joshua and his men set out to march uphill all the way. Gibeon was 25 miles away. On foot that would have been at least a ten hour march. They arrived at Gibeon just as the sun was beginning to come up in the sky.
The five enemy kings were taken by surprise. Their men became confused. God gave Israel another victory. As the battle raged; large hailstones fell from the sky. This killed more of the enemies of Israel than were killed in battle.
AN IRONIC SITUATION
It is very ironic to think about what happened with the hailstones from the sky. The pagan enemies here worshipped the deities of nature. Their false gods were said to be over the powers of nature; yet it was the powers in nature with which they were most defeated.
I believe the One True God of Heaven and Earth was sending a message.
It was pretty loud and clear.
The God of Israel was the God who welded the power over all of nature. He is the Creator of all and He is always in control of His own creation.
No false god or goddess was in charge.
Perhaps the men fighting for the enemies of Israel thought their own gods had turned against them.
A PRAYER OF GREAT FAITH
Then Joshua prayed a very strange but faithful prayer. He said:
"Sun, stand still over Gibeon, and you, moon, over the Valley of Aijalon."
So the sun stood still!
The moon stopped in its tracks until the nation of Israel avenged itself on its enemies,
God heard and honored Joshua's prayers.
Joshua had faithfully prayed to The God who could control nature and The One and Only God of Israel did control nature. He held back the sun until Israel had won the battle.
This was an answer to Joshua's prayer.
It was also solid proof that The God of Israel ruled all.
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