Day 84: The Sun Stands Still

 Today's readings: Joshua 10-11 and Psalm 128.

I. Joshua 10 recounts several major events during Israel's conquest of Canaan. First, the king of Jerusalem forms an alliance with other local kings, all of whom fear Israel after their victories at Jericho and Ai, as well as the pacification of Gibeon. Because of this, they decide to attack Gibeon to remove them as Israel's ally, who appeal for help to Joshua. He and Israelite forces come and, through God's intervention, especially the stunning miracle when the "sun stood still," crush the coalition of Canaanite kings. Their armies are routed, and the kings themselves are all captured and hanged. Then, Joshua leads a series of victories against several southern Canaanite cities. The chapter ends with much of southern Canaan conquered, "because the Lord God of Israel fought for Israel."

In the next chapter, Israel defeats a large northern coalition of Canaanite kings, concluding the major military phase of the conquest under Joshua, though there would be more fighting later.

The BIY Companion, Vol I, comments on the great miracle of the sun:

Good science and good faith can never contradict one another because both are in pursuit of truth. Truth can never contradict truth. Some hold that the description in Joshua is a description of a day when the sun actually stands still... This is absolutely possible. It would be a supernatural miracle. God can do miracles. We also recognize that the Bible sometimes uses figures of speech or poetic language. The symbolic meaning here could be that the victory of the Israelites is like a battle that has gone on for two days... The last line of Joshua 11 says, "And the land had rest from war." That is what God wants for all of us. (p. 180)

Personally, I view this event as a literal miracle. It's not important to me, though, if someone views it more poetically. We shall find out for sure one day...

II. Psalm 128 is, as the Ignatius Bible notes (verse numbers removed):

A wisdom psalm. It declares that the "fear of the Lord" brings divine blessings upon one's farm and family. These are manifest in fields that produce a rich harvest and in a fruitful wife who bears many children. Beyond families that flourish, the Psalmist prays that Jerusalem and Israel will thrive in God's peace for generations to come. (p. 943)

That's it for today!