The Chosen Key Word in this Chapter is “Stand still” it comes from the Hebrew Word “damam” which means “to be still, to stand silent.”
Five kings unite against Israel’s new ally, and God responds with a miracle unlike any other in the Bible. Welcome to Bible Life Basics Chapter Reviews, I am Chris and this is Joshua 10.
Furious that Gibeon has made peace with Israel, five Amorite kings unite their armies to attack Gibeon for its betrayal. Gibeon appeals urgently to Joshua for help, and Joshua marches his army all night to their defense, encouraged by God’s promise, “Fear them not: for I have delivered them into thine hand.” The Lord fights alongside Israel, sending a great hailstorm that kills more of the enemy than Israel’s own swords do, and causing confusion among the fleeing armies.
With daylight running short and the battle still unfinished, Joshua prays boldly in the sight of all Israel, “Sun, stand thou still upon Gibeon; and thou, Moon, in the valley of Ajalon.” The Hebrew word for this standing still is “damam,” meaning to be still or silent. Remarkably, the sun stands still and the moon stays in place for 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.”
The five kings hide in a cave at Makkedah, and Joshua has large stones rolled over its entrance until the battle is finished, then brings the kings out and has his captains put their feet on the kings’ necks before executing them, a symbolic act meant to encourage Israel’s continued courage against their enemies. Joshua and Israel continue a decisive southern campaign, conquering city after city, “for the LORD God of Israel fought for Israel,” until the entire southern region of the land lies subdued before them.
This extraordinary miracle, the sun standing still, happened in direct response to one man’s bold prayer spoken in front of the entire nation. Scripture notes there had never been a day quite like it, since the Lord listened to the voice of a man. God’s power in this account was placed remarkably at the service of a leader’s genuine, courageous faith.
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