Year of the Bible: Part Four of Twelve Sample

The Sun Stands Still For Those Who Keep Their Word.

The testimonies of God's greatness continued to spread. From His deliverance in Egypt 40 years earlier to the tremendous victories at Jericho and Ai, the God of Israel was feared by kings and leaders throughout the region.

The Gibeonites were so frightened that they came up with a deceptive scheme to trick Joshua into a treaty, covenanting with them to protect them and keep them alive as enslaved people. In this passage, several kings, fearful of Israel and Gibeon, join forces to attack Gibeon, with whom Israel is allied.

Gibeon appealed to Joshua for help, and though he had been tricked into the alliance, he marshaled the army of Israel and kept his word to the Gibeonites. One statement indicates the level of sacrifice made to fulfill his promise: "all the people of war … marched all night."

It would have been easy to say, "Oh, why bother? Those Gibeonites are a different race than us! They lied and don't deserve our help!" But as the Israelites laid down their lives to keep their promise to the undeserving, God's voice thundered, "Don't be afraid … these opposing kings will not stand," and then the Scripture says, "the Lord routed them before Israel."

To put an exclamation point on the day's events, God's mighty hand responded to the words and faith of Joshua when he commanded the sun to stand still, which it did for a full day, giving His people more time to complete the victorious task.

This miracle is particularly mighty because Israel's enemies worshiped the sun and moon. When He held the sun still, God revealed that anything else a person trusts will fail; He alone is worthy of worship!

Question: Joshua treated the Gibeonites kindly, even though, in an earthly sense, they didn't deserve it. His actions were aimed squarely at defending the Lord's name by doing justice. You have received freely from Jesus. Do you at times consider others as "unworthy" or beneath you or withhold good from others you think don't deserve it?

Prayer Focus: Ask God for His heart and a change of mind about these people. Pray for them like you would hope someone would pray for you.