Does the Bible really Say the Sun Stopped For Joshua?
By
Refuteit.com
By
Refuteit.com
Copyright
Copyright© 2016 – Refuteit.com All rights reserved. No portion of this book in whole or in part may be duplicated or distributed without the expressed written permission of the author and publisher.
KJV- Certain passages of scripture in this book may use the King James Version (KJV) of the Bible, which is in the public domain.
WEB – World English Bible is used in the majority of the book and is an English translation in the Public domain.
YLT – Passages indicated with (YLT) contain the Young’s Literal Translation. This is an English translation from the 1898 Young’s Literal Translation (YLT), which is an extremely literal translation designed to preserve the original Greek and Hebrew writings. The YLT is in the Public Domain.
If you have any comments or questions, you may contact us by visiting our website: Refuteit.com
Copyright© 2016 – Refuteit.com All rights reserved. No portion of this book in whole or in part may be duplicated or distributed without the expressed written permission of the author and publisher.
KJV- Certain passages of scripture in this book may use the King James Version (KJV) of the Bible, which is in the public domain.
WEB – World English Bible is used in the majority of the book and is an English translation in the Public domain.
YLT – Passages indicated with (YLT) contain the Young’s Literal Translation. This is an English translation from the 1898 Young’s Literal Translation (YLT), which is an extremely literal translation designed to preserve the original Greek and Hebrew writings. The YLT is in the Public Domain.
If you have any comments or questions, you may contact us by visiting our website: Refuteit.com
Preface
Some are making the claim that because the sun stopped in the sky at the command of Joshua, that this event alone is evidence to supposedly prove the bible teaches we live in a geocentric solar system, which is the belief that the sun rotates around the earth. Others have even gone so far as to claim that the account of Joshua and the sun standing still in the sky is proof that the Bible teaches the earth is flat and not spherical. Numerous preachers have made outrages assumptions about this event, which invites mockery of the scriptures.
Is the account of the sun standing still in Joshua chapter 10, really proof the sun rotates around the earth, or that the earth is flat? Of course not and we will prove this from the full context of scripture to clarify the truth about this historic event to refute the errors many are teaching about this event.
This book will not look at internet rumors claiming NASA supposedly stated there is a missing day in history or the claims that ancient cultures chronicled dark days or full days of light, or any other unproven claims. We will only focus on the scriptures and let the scriptures interpret scripture about this event. We feel the scriptures are sufficient to educate us and help us to understand the account of Joshua from God’s perspective instead of relying on man-made speculation about the event.
This topic has been debated for centuries, and people have come up with a multitude of explanations to interpret that battle of Joshua and the sun and the moon obeying his command. Few have really researched the scriptures to understand this event but instead came up with their own speculations. Everything from suggesting the earth stopped rotating, to the Sun literally being moved from its position to hover over Joshua’s army, have all been proposed. A few have even suggested the passage that describes this event, is a later addition to the original text and was written by pagan influenced scribes. However, we feel the scriptures are reliable and provide ample explanation for this event.
We hope to present you with a biblically based explanation and an accurate possibility for what occurred in Joshua chapter 10. We are saddened by the number of explanations on the internet that discredit the scriptures, or offer illogical ideas that cause people to doubt the word of God or think the event was nothing more than a myth. We believe the scriptures have a very practical explanation for the Joshua event and also believe the scriptures disprove any ideas of the sun and planets rotating around the earth, or the crazy idea that the earth is flat. Let’s get back to reality. We need to let the scriptures educate us and lead us to the truth instead of trusting faulty teachings based on speculations.
Is the account of the sun standing still in Joshua chapter 10, really proof the sun rotates around the earth, or that the earth is flat? Of course not and we will prove this from the full context of scripture to clarify the truth about this historic event to refute the errors many are teaching about this event.
This book will not look at internet rumors claiming NASA supposedly stated there is a missing day in history or the claims that ancient cultures chronicled dark days or full days of light, or any other unproven claims. We will only focus on the scriptures and let the scriptures interpret scripture about this event. We feel the scriptures are sufficient to educate us and help us to understand the account of Joshua from God’s perspective instead of relying on man-made speculation about the event.
This topic has been debated for centuries, and people have come up with a multitude of explanations to interpret that battle of Joshua and the sun and the moon obeying his command. Few have really researched the scriptures to understand this event but instead came up with their own speculations. Everything from suggesting the earth stopped rotating, to the Sun literally being moved from its position to hover over Joshua’s army, have all been proposed. A few have even suggested the passage that describes this event, is a later addition to the original text and was written by pagan influenced scribes. However, we feel the scriptures are reliable and provide ample explanation for this event.
We hope to present you with a biblically based explanation and an accurate possibility for what occurred in Joshua chapter 10. We are saddened by the number of explanations on the internet that discredit the scriptures, or offer illogical ideas that cause people to doubt the word of God or think the event was nothing more than a myth. We believe the scriptures have a very practical explanation for the Joshua event and also believe the scriptures disprove any ideas of the sun and planets rotating around the earth, or the crazy idea that the earth is flat. Let’s get back to reality. We need to let the scriptures educate us and lead us to the truth instead of trusting faulty teachings based on speculations.
A Close Look at the Battle
“Then Joshua spoke to Yahweh in the day when Yahweh delivered up the Amorites before the children of Israel; and he said in the sight of Israel, ‘Sun, stand still on Gibeon! You, moon, stop in the valley of Aijalon! The sun stood still, and the moon stayed, until the nation had avenged themselves of their enemies. Isn’t this written in the Book of Jashar? The sun stayed in the midst of the sky, and didn’t hurry to go down about a whole day. There was no day like that before it or after it, that Yahweh listened to the voice of a man; for Yahweh fought Israel.” Joshua 10:12-14 WEB
The original Hebrew states:
“Then spoke Joshua to Yahweh in the day Yahweh gives the Amorites before the face of the children of Israel and he [Joshua] said in the sight of Israel Sun at Gibeon [Cease, be silent, be still, hold your peace] Moon in the valley of Ajalon [Cease, be silent, be still, hold your peace] the sun and the moon stood until avenged the nations enemies is not this written in the book of Jasher [Cease, be silent, be still, hold your peace] sun [half, middle, midnight, in the midst] of heaven not hurried to [come, enter, go] day [whole, complete, full day]. Not come a day like this before the face or after [listened, obeyed, hearken] Yahweh to the voice of a man because Yahweh fought for Israel.” Joshua 10:12-14
By the English and Hebrew scriptures we can see the following events:
1. Joshua spoke to Yahweh
2. Before all of Israel, Joshua proclaimed: “Sun, stand still on Gibeon! You, moon, stop in the valley of Aijalon!”
3. The sun and the moon stayed fixed at their positions
4. At the time of the writing of the Book of Joshua, there was not a day like this day ever before, nor was there a day like that day that ever occurred again at the time the book of Joshua was written.
5. What made that day so different? Was it because the sun and moon were stopped, or that there was light or darkness for an extended period of days? No, because in biblical history there was a period of time when there was no light, no sun, nor was there a moon (before creation).
There was also a period of time before the exodus that darkness was over Egypt for three days, but light shined only on Israel for those same three days (Exodus 10:21-23), which is somewhat similar to the Joshua event. Therefore, what makes this day unusual cannot be about the sun and the moon.
What made that day so different was that this day was the first time Yahweh acted on the faith proclamation of a man. This day is unique because of God’s response to the faith and actions of one man.
“And there was no day like it before or since [the writing of the Book of Joshua], when the Lord listened to the voice of a man; for the Lord fought for Israel” Joshua 10:14 KJV
A man (Joshua) gave a command to the sun and the moon and God acted on behalf of the man’s faith proclamation to fulfill Joshua’s prayer. This reminds us of what Yeshua said in the book of Mark:
“Yeshua answered them, ‘Have faith in God. For most certainly I tell you, whoever may tell this mountain, be taken up and cast into the sea, and doesn’t doubt in his heart, but believes that what he says is happening; he shall have whatever he says. Therefore I tell you, all things whatever you pray and ask for, believe that you have received them, and you shall have them.” Mark 11:22-24 WEB
Did Joshua have this same type of mountain moving faith? Yes, and so did Elijah:
“And Elijah the Tishbite, who was of the foreigners of Gilead, said to Ahab, ‘As Yahweh, the God of Israel, lives, before whom I stand, there shall not be dew nor rain these years, but according to my word.” 1 Kings 17:1 WEB
“Elijah was a man like affected as we, and with prayer he did pray –not to rain, and it did not rain upon the land three years and six months.” James 5:17 YLT
The two witnesses in the Book of Revelation will operate with this same faith:
“These have power to shut up the sky, that it may not rain during the days of their prophecy. They have power over the waters, to turn them into blood, and to strike the earth with every plague, as often as they desire.” Revelation 11:6 WEB
Yeshua himself spoke to storms and trees and commanded nature, similar to what Joshua did with the sun and moon. Yeshua stated that every believer has this capability to do these same things, if only they have faith in God and in God’s ability to make them happen (Mark 11:22-24).
The Book of Habakkuk gives a few more details of the Joshua battle:
“The sun and moon stood still in the sky, at the light of your arrows as they went, at the shinning of your glittering spear. You marched through the land in wrath. You threshed the nations in anger. You went forth for the salvation of your people, for the salvation of your anointed. You crushed the head of the land of wickedness. You stripped them head to foot. Selah. You pierced the head of the land of the warriors with their own spears. They came as whirlwind to scatter me, gloating as if to devour the wretched in secret.” Habakkuk 3:11-14 WEB
The details from Habakkuk and the Book of Joshua do line up:
1. “All five kings of the Amorites joined together to make war with Gibeon” (Joshua 10:1-5) Habakkuk: “They came as whirlwind to scatter me, gloating as if to devour the wretched in secret.”
2. “Yahweh said to Joshua, ‘Don’t fear them, for I have delivered them into your hands. Not a man of them will stand before you’.” (Joshua 10:8) Habakkuk: “You went forth for the salvation of your people, for the salvation of your anointed.”
3. “The sun stood still, and the moon stayed, until the nation had avenged themselves of their enemies.” (Joshua 10:13) Habakkuk: “The sun and moon stood still in the sky, at the light of your arrows as they went, at the shinning of your glittering spear.”
4. “Yahweh confused them before Israel, and he killed them with a great slaughter at Gibeon, and he chased them by the way of the ascent of Beth Horon, and struck them to Azekah and Makkedah. It happened as they fled from Israel, while they were at the descent of Beth Horon, that Yahweh cast down great stones from the sky on them to Azekah, and they died. There were more who died from hailstones than who the children of Israel killed with swords.” (Joshua 10:10-11) Habakkuk: “At the light of your arrows as they went, at the shinning of your glittering spear. You marched through the land in wrath. You threshed the nations in anger… You crushed the head of the land of wickedness. You stripped them head to foot.”
The greatest part of this battle was fought by Yahweh, who destroyed more of the enemy than Joshua’s army. Yahweh himself caused light to occur on the battlefield: “The sun and moon stood still in the sky, at the light of your arrows as they went, at the shinning of your glittering spear.” (Habakkuk 3:11)
This shows that besides the light of the sun and the reflection of the light from the moon, there may have been even more light from a lightning storm and a hail storm, “There were more who died from hailstones than who the children of Israel killed with swords”(Joshua 10:11).
Therefore, could there be more to this battle than what many know or teach? Are there clear scriptural explanations for what occurred with the sun and the moon? Yes! Let’s look at the scriptures for more information about the event.
The original Hebrew states:
“Then spoke Joshua to Yahweh in the day Yahweh gives the Amorites before the face of the children of Israel and he [Joshua] said in the sight of Israel Sun at Gibeon [Cease, be silent, be still, hold your peace] Moon in the valley of Ajalon [Cease, be silent, be still, hold your peace] the sun and the moon stood until avenged the nations enemies is not this written in the book of Jasher [Cease, be silent, be still, hold your peace] sun [half, middle, midnight, in the midst] of heaven not hurried to [come, enter, go] day [whole, complete, full day]. Not come a day like this before the face or after [listened, obeyed, hearken] Yahweh to the voice of a man because Yahweh fought for Israel.” Joshua 10:12-14
By the English and Hebrew scriptures we can see the following events:
1. Joshua spoke to Yahweh
2. Before all of Israel, Joshua proclaimed: “Sun, stand still on Gibeon! You, moon, stop in the valley of Aijalon!”
3. The sun and the moon stayed fixed at their positions
4. At the time of the writing of the Book of Joshua, there was not a day like this day ever before, nor was there a day like that day that ever occurred again at the time the book of Joshua was written.
5. What made that day so different? Was it because the sun and moon were stopped, or that there was light or darkness for an extended period of days? No, because in biblical history there was a period of time when there was no light, no sun, nor was there a moon (before creation).
There was also a period of time before the exodus that darkness was over Egypt for three days, but light shined only on Israel for those same three days (Exodus 10:21-23), which is somewhat similar to the Joshua event. Therefore, what makes this day unusual cannot be about the sun and the moon.
What made that day so different was that this day was the first time Yahweh acted on the faith proclamation of a man. This day is unique because of God’s response to the faith and actions of one man.
“And there was no day like it before or since [the writing of the Book of Joshua], when the Lord listened to the voice of a man; for the Lord fought for Israel” Joshua 10:14 KJV
A man (Joshua) gave a command to the sun and the moon and God acted on behalf of the man’s faith proclamation to fulfill Joshua’s prayer. This reminds us of what Yeshua said in the book of Mark:
“Yeshua answered them, ‘Have faith in God. For most certainly I tell you, whoever may tell this mountain, be taken up and cast into the sea, and doesn’t doubt in his heart, but believes that what he says is happening; he shall have whatever he says. Therefore I tell you, all things whatever you pray and ask for, believe that you have received them, and you shall have them.” Mark 11:22-24 WEB
Did Joshua have this same type of mountain moving faith? Yes, and so did Elijah:
“And Elijah the Tishbite, who was of the foreigners of Gilead, said to Ahab, ‘As Yahweh, the God of Israel, lives, before whom I stand, there shall not be dew nor rain these years, but according to my word.” 1 Kings 17:1 WEB
“Elijah was a man like affected as we, and with prayer he did pray –not to rain, and it did not rain upon the land three years and six months.” James 5:17 YLT
The two witnesses in the Book of Revelation will operate with this same faith:
“These have power to shut up the sky, that it may not rain during the days of their prophecy. They have power over the waters, to turn them into blood, and to strike the earth with every plague, as often as they desire.” Revelation 11:6 WEB
Yeshua himself spoke to storms and trees and commanded nature, similar to what Joshua did with the sun and moon. Yeshua stated that every believer has this capability to do these same things, if only they have faith in God and in God’s ability to make them happen (Mark 11:22-24).
The Book of Habakkuk gives a few more details of the Joshua battle:
“The sun and moon stood still in the sky, at the light of your arrows as they went, at the shinning of your glittering spear. You marched through the land in wrath. You threshed the nations in anger. You went forth for the salvation of your people, for the salvation of your anointed. You crushed the head of the land of wickedness. You stripped them head to foot. Selah. You pierced the head of the land of the warriors with their own spears. They came as whirlwind to scatter me, gloating as if to devour the wretched in secret.” Habakkuk 3:11-14 WEB
The details from Habakkuk and the Book of Joshua do line up:
1. “All five kings of the Amorites joined together to make war with Gibeon” (Joshua 10:1-5) Habakkuk: “They came as whirlwind to scatter me, gloating as if to devour the wretched in secret.”
2. “Yahweh said to Joshua, ‘Don’t fear them, for I have delivered them into your hands. Not a man of them will stand before you’.” (Joshua 10:8) Habakkuk: “You went forth for the salvation of your people, for the salvation of your anointed.”
3. “The sun stood still, and the moon stayed, until the nation had avenged themselves of their enemies.” (Joshua 10:13) Habakkuk: “The sun and moon stood still in the sky, at the light of your arrows as they went, at the shinning of your glittering spear.”
4. “Yahweh confused them before Israel, and he killed them with a great slaughter at Gibeon, and he chased them by the way of the ascent of Beth Horon, and struck them to Azekah and Makkedah. It happened as they fled from Israel, while they were at the descent of Beth Horon, that Yahweh cast down great stones from the sky on them to Azekah, and they died. There were more who died from hailstones than who the children of Israel killed with swords.” (Joshua 10:10-11) Habakkuk: “At the light of your arrows as they went, at the shinning of your glittering spear. You marched through the land in wrath. You threshed the nations in anger… You crushed the head of the land of wickedness. You stripped them head to foot.”
The greatest part of this battle was fought by Yahweh, who destroyed more of the enemy than Joshua’s army. Yahweh himself caused light to occur on the battlefield: “The sun and moon stood still in the sky, at the light of your arrows as they went, at the shinning of your glittering spear.” (Habakkuk 3:11)
This shows that besides the light of the sun and the reflection of the light from the moon, there may have been even more light from a lightning storm and a hail storm, “There were more who died from hailstones than who the children of Israel killed with swords”(Joshua 10:11).
Therefore, could there be more to this battle than what many know or teach? Are there clear scriptural explanations for what occurred with the sun and the moon? Yes! Let’s look at the scriptures for more information about the event.
Why Yahweh Could Not Stop the Physical Sun and the Moon in the Sky
Here is where it gets controversial. We are not saying that God is not capable of stopping the physical sun and the physical moon in the midst of the sky, but what we will show you is that Yahweh would not stop the physical sun and moon during the battle of Joshua.
1. God can do anything, but he operates according to his word:
“I will not break my covenant, nor alter what my lips have uttered.” Psalm 89:34 WEB
“God is not a man, that he should lie, nor the son of man, that he should repent. Has he said, and will he not do it? Or has he spoken, and will he not make good?” Numbers 23:19 WEB
“…You have exalted your name and your word above all.” Psalm 138:2 WEB
“Yahweh, your word is settled in heaven.” Psalm 119:89 WEB
2. God operates within a set of laws and principles he established:
“While the earth remains, seed time and harvest, and cold and heat, and summer and winter, and day and night shall not cease.” Genesis 8:22 WEB
“Praise him, sun and moon! Praise him, all you shining stars! He has also established them forever and ever. He made a decree which will not pass away.” Psalm 148:3 & 6 WEB
“Do you know the laws of the heavens? Can you establish its dominion over the earth?” Job 38:33 WEB
3. God established rules, laws (covenant) for the operation of the sun and moon that he will not break:
“Thus says Yahweh, who gives the sun for a light by day, and the ordinances of the moon and of the stars for a light by night…only if these ordinances depart from before me, says Yahweh then the seed of Israel also shall cease from being a nation before me forever.” Jeremiah 31:35-36 WEB
“Thus says Yahweh: If you can break my covenant of the day, and my covenant of the night, so that there shall not be day and night in their season; then may also my covenant be broken with David my servant, he shall not have a son to reign on his throne…” Jeremiah 33:20-21 WEB
“Thus says Yahweh: if my covenant of day and night fails, if I have not appointed the ordinance of heaven and earth; then will I cast away the seed of Jacob…” Jeremiah 33:25-26 WEB
According to the criteria of Jeremiah, Yahweh did not break his covenant nor did anyone else, because Israel did not cease being a nation, the Messiah (Yeshua) will rule on the throne of David, and Yahweh will not cast away the seed of Jacob. This also means the ordinances and covenants with the heavens, the sun and the moon, and night and day was not broken during Joshua’s battle. Yahweh established rules concerning the sun and the moon and he works within those parameters.
Many have speculated that Yahweh just stopped the rotation of the earth or halted the actual sun and the moon over Joshua’s battled field. However, we disagree with these speculations.
The scriptures are clear that Yahweh has established laws for the heavens, fixed rules for the sun and the moon, rules for night and day, which Yahweh said he will not break. Therefore, men can continue to ignore what Yahweh stated in his word and continue to speculate what happened at the battle (Joshua chapter 10), but this is just exalting man’s opinions over the scriptures. It should be comforting that Yahweh keeps his word, honors his promises, and works within a certain set of laws and rules.
1. God can do anything, but he operates according to his word:
“I will not break my covenant, nor alter what my lips have uttered.” Psalm 89:34 WEB
“God is not a man, that he should lie, nor the son of man, that he should repent. Has he said, and will he not do it? Or has he spoken, and will he not make good?” Numbers 23:19 WEB
“…You have exalted your name and your word above all.” Psalm 138:2 WEB
“Yahweh, your word is settled in heaven.” Psalm 119:89 WEB
2. God operates within a set of laws and principles he established:
“While the earth remains, seed time and harvest, and cold and heat, and summer and winter, and day and night shall not cease.” Genesis 8:22 WEB
“Praise him, sun and moon! Praise him, all you shining stars! He has also established them forever and ever. He made a decree which will not pass away.” Psalm 148:3 & 6 WEB
“Do you know the laws of the heavens? Can you establish its dominion over the earth?” Job 38:33 WEB
3. God established rules, laws (covenant) for the operation of the sun and moon that he will not break:
“Thus says Yahweh, who gives the sun for a light by day, and the ordinances of the moon and of the stars for a light by night…only if these ordinances depart from before me, says Yahweh then the seed of Israel also shall cease from being a nation before me forever.” Jeremiah 31:35-36 WEB
“Thus says Yahweh: If you can break my covenant of the day, and my covenant of the night, so that there shall not be day and night in their season; then may also my covenant be broken with David my servant, he shall not have a son to reign on his throne…” Jeremiah 33:20-21 WEB
“Thus says Yahweh: if my covenant of day and night fails, if I have not appointed the ordinance of heaven and earth; then will I cast away the seed of Jacob…” Jeremiah 33:25-26 WEB
According to the criteria of Jeremiah, Yahweh did not break his covenant nor did anyone else, because Israel did not cease being a nation, the Messiah (Yeshua) will rule on the throne of David, and Yahweh will not cast away the seed of Jacob. This also means the ordinances and covenants with the heavens, the sun and the moon, and night and day was not broken during Joshua’s battle. Yahweh established rules concerning the sun and the moon and he works within those parameters.
Many have speculated that Yahweh just stopped the rotation of the earth or halted the actual sun and the moon over Joshua’s battled field. However, we disagree with these speculations.
The scriptures are clear that Yahweh has established laws for the heavens, fixed rules for the sun and the moon, rules for night and day, which Yahweh said he will not break. Therefore, men can continue to ignore what Yahweh stated in his word and continue to speculate what happened at the battle (Joshua chapter 10), but this is just exalting man’s opinions over the scriptures. It should be comforting that Yahweh keeps his word, honors his promises, and works within a certain set of laws and rules.
Then how do we explain the scriptures saying the sun halted in the midst of the sky?
“The sun stood still, and the moon stayed until the nation had avenged themselves of their enemies. Isn’t this written in the book of Jahar? The sun stayed in the midst of the sky, and didn’t hurry to go down about a whole day.” Joshua 10:13
Think about this verse for a minute. What if the physical sun and moon did not stay in the midst of the sky over the battlefield? What if there are alternative explanations that would comply with Yahweh’s laws of the heaven and the rules for the sun and moon? What if these alternative explanations also remain true to the scriptural account in Joshua 10:13, without having to use wild speculations that do not comply with the context of scripture as so many others do?
Think about this verse for a minute. What if the physical sun and moon did not stay in the midst of the sky over the battlefield? What if there are alternative explanations that would comply with Yahweh’s laws of the heaven and the rules for the sun and moon? What if these alternative explanations also remain true to the scriptural account in Joshua 10:13, without having to use wild speculations that do not comply with the context of scripture as so many others do?
Here is what we believe really happened
We believe by the context of scripture and by taking a closer look at the original Hebrew in Joshua chapter 10, that it was not the sun that stayed in the midst of the sky, but only the light from the sun. This may sound contrary to scripture, or a play with words, but we will prove that our teaching of the event is in line with the teachings of scripture and here is our proof to back our beliefs:
Look at the Hebrew:
The Hebrew word for “Sun” in Joshua chapter 10 is “shemesh,” which means to be brilliant or to shine. Shemesh also refers to the east and west, pointing to the arch of light from the horizon and the rays of light from the sun. Shemesh refers more to the light of the sun than to the physical orb of the sun. In fact, on the fourth day of creation, the sun and the moon are not even mentioned, but instead, the scriptures speak only of their light (the greater light and the lesser light).
The light is mentioned not the “sun.”
“God said, ‘Let there be lights in the expanse of the sky to divide the day from the night; and let them be for signs, and for seasons, and for days and years; and let them be for lights in the expanse of the sky to give light on the earth,’ and it was so. God made the two great lights: the greater light to rule the day, and the lesser light to rule the night. He also made the stars. God set them in the expanse of sky to give light to the earth, and to rule over the day and over the night, and to divide the light from the darkness. God saw that it was good. There was evening and there was morning, a fourth day.” Genesis 1:14-19
The Sun is the “light giver”
“Thine is the day, also thine is the night, thou hast prepared a light giver – the sun.” Psalm 74:16 YLT
Photo: NASA
Scripture puts more emphasis on the light that reaches the earth rather than the physical orbs of the sun and moon
Photo: NASA
Multiple scriptures put more emphasis on the visible light from the objects in the heavens, which reaches the earth, rather than the physical objects [sun, moon, stars] that are in the heavens.
“To him who made the great lights, for his loving kindness endures forever: The sun to rule by day; for his loving kindness endures forever; the moon and stars to rule by night; for his loving kindness endures forever” Psalm 136:7-9
“All the bright lights of the sky will I make dark over you, and set darkness on your land, says the Lord Yahweh.” Ezekiel 32:8
“…I beheld the sun when it shined, or the moon walking in brightness.” Job 31:26 KJV
“Thus says Yahweh, who gives the sun for a light by day, and the ordinance of the moon and of the stars for a light by night…” Jerimiah 31:35
“For the stars of heaven and the constellations thereof shall not give their light: the sun shall be darkened in his going forth, and the moon shall not cause her light to shine.” Isaiah 13:10 KJV
When the scriptures talk about the sun and moon being darkened, it’s not saying that the physical orb of the sun or moon are touched, but the light from these orbs in the sky are impacted.
“…The light is darkened in its clouds.” Isaiah 5:30
“Before the sun, the light, the moon, or the stars are darkened, and the clouds return after the rain.” Ecclesiastes 12:2
“And immediately after the tribulation of those days, the sun [helios] shall be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light…” Matthew 24:29 YLT
Helio [Greek]: Is the word for sun, but also for the rays of the sun, sunshine, or sunlight. Therefore, Matthew 24:29 can read: “…the sunlight shall be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light…”
What we can see is that the Hebrew and Greek both agree that the scriptures put emphasis on the light that reaches the earth rather than the physical orbs of the sun and the moon.
“To him who made the great lights, for his loving kindness endures forever: The sun to rule by day; for his loving kindness endures forever; the moon and stars to rule by night; for his loving kindness endures forever” Psalm 136:7-9
“All the bright lights of the sky will I make dark over you, and set darkness on your land, says the Lord Yahweh.” Ezekiel 32:8
“…I beheld the sun when it shined, or the moon walking in brightness.” Job 31:26 KJV
“Thus says Yahweh, who gives the sun for a light by day, and the ordinance of the moon and of the stars for a light by night…” Jerimiah 31:35
“For the stars of heaven and the constellations thereof shall not give their light: the sun shall be darkened in his going forth, and the moon shall not cause her light to shine.” Isaiah 13:10 KJV
When the scriptures talk about the sun and moon being darkened, it’s not saying that the physical orb of the sun or moon are touched, but the light from these orbs in the sky are impacted.
“…The light is darkened in its clouds.” Isaiah 5:30
“Before the sun, the light, the moon, or the stars are darkened, and the clouds return after the rain.” Ecclesiastes 12:2
“And immediately after the tribulation of those days, the sun [helios] shall be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light…” Matthew 24:29 YLT
Helio [Greek]: Is the word for sun, but also for the rays of the sun, sunshine, or sunlight. Therefore, Matthew 24:29 can read: “…the sunlight shall be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light…”
What we can see is that the Hebrew and Greek both agree that the scriptures put emphasis on the light that reaches the earth rather than the physical orbs of the sun and the moon.
The light was halted over Joshua not the physical sun
|
|
Photo: NASA
Looking at all of the scriptures that talk about the sun and sunlight, we came to the conclusion that God did not halt the physical sun and moon over Joshua’s battlefield, but instead we believe that somehow God allowed the light from the sun to continue to shine over the battlefield for an extended period of time, perhaps up to 12 hours longer than usual. This event did not happen worldwide, nor did the physical sun and moon halt in the sky, the sun and moon did not change their orbit, nor did the earth stop spinning.
The simple explanation for the event in Joshua chapter 10, is that God manipulated the light of the sun in order to brighten a section of the Promised Land to benefit the army of Israel. God did not need to move the physical sun to make this happen. Yahweh just kept the sunlight fixed over the enemy like a spotlight.
Sun and Sunlight are considered the same in scripture
The scriptures make it clear that the light of the sun and the physical sun, are seen as the same. Sunlight is the representative of the sun, so to speak, which is shining on the earth as an extension from the physical sun located in space (heavens). Therefore, when Joshua commanded the sun to halt in the sky, it was only the light that Joshua needed and we believe it was only the light of the sun that God could have manipulated for Joshua’s benefit.
Think of this analogy, a soldier on the battlefield does not need to move the bullet factory to the battlefield because all he needs is the product of the bullet factory – The bullets. Vehicles on the battlefield don’t need to move the oil well to the battlefield; the army only needs the product -- Gasoline, on the battlefield. As we stated previously, Joshua needed more hours of daylight so the enemy could not escape in the dark of the night. Joshua did not need the sun moved to the battlefield to make it happen; he only needed more light on the battlefield. Joshua shouted to the sun in faith for the sun (sunlight) to stop over the battlefield and God honored his request by keeping light over the area.
How did it happen?
We know that in this battle God cast down large hailstones on the enemy. Hailstones are made from ice, and ice crystals can manipulate sunlight. There is one phenomenon called a “sun dog” that shows two or three suns in the sky all at once, which is caused by ice crystals.
The simple explanation for the event in Joshua chapter 10, is that God manipulated the light of the sun in order to brighten a section of the Promised Land to benefit the army of Israel. God did not need to move the physical sun to make this happen. Yahweh just kept the sunlight fixed over the enemy like a spotlight.
Sun and Sunlight are considered the same in scripture
The scriptures make it clear that the light of the sun and the physical sun, are seen as the same. Sunlight is the representative of the sun, so to speak, which is shining on the earth as an extension from the physical sun located in space (heavens). Therefore, when Joshua commanded the sun to halt in the sky, it was only the light that Joshua needed and we believe it was only the light of the sun that God could have manipulated for Joshua’s benefit.
Think of this analogy, a soldier on the battlefield does not need to move the bullet factory to the battlefield because all he needs is the product of the bullet factory – The bullets. Vehicles on the battlefield don’t need to move the oil well to the battlefield; the army only needs the product -- Gasoline, on the battlefield. As we stated previously, Joshua needed more hours of daylight so the enemy could not escape in the dark of the night. Joshua did not need the sun moved to the battlefield to make it happen; he only needed more light on the battlefield. Joshua shouted to the sun in faith for the sun (sunlight) to stop over the battlefield and God honored his request by keeping light over the area.
How did it happen?
We know that in this battle God cast down large hailstones on the enemy. Hailstones are made from ice, and ice crystals can manipulate sunlight. There is one phenomenon called a “sun dog” that shows two or three suns in the sky all at once, which is caused by ice crystals.
There are other phenomena in the skies such as atmospheric refraction, the Novaya Zemlya effect, which gives the impression the sun is rising earlier or setting later than it actually is.
We are not stating these phenomena are what occurred during Joshua’s battle, but we are just pointing out that in nature we do have examples of sunlight being manipulated in unusual ways. If this can happen in nature, then why would it be impossible for the creator of the universe to use his natural laws to manipulate sunlight for the benefit of Joshua?
Yahweh could have performed a miracle without breaking his laws and covenants he established for the sun and the moon. We think God’s manipulation of the sunlight is the most accurate explanation for what occurred in Joshua chapter 10. As we stated, this explanation does not cause God to break his covenant, or his laws concerning the sun and the heavens. This explanation also answers Joshua’s prayer for the sun [shemesh = sunlight] to stay fixed in the sky without drastically changing the operation of the universe, by having to move the sun and moon out of their orbit, or stop the earth from spinning.
We are not stating these phenomena are what occurred during Joshua’s battle, but we are just pointing out that in nature we do have examples of sunlight being manipulated in unusual ways. If this can happen in nature, then why would it be impossible for the creator of the universe to use his natural laws to manipulate sunlight for the benefit of Joshua?
Yahweh could have performed a miracle without breaking his laws and covenants he established for the sun and the moon. We think God’s manipulation of the sunlight is the most accurate explanation for what occurred in Joshua chapter 10. As we stated, this explanation does not cause God to break his covenant, or his laws concerning the sun and the heavens. This explanation also answers Joshua’s prayer for the sun [shemesh = sunlight] to stay fixed in the sky without drastically changing the operation of the universe, by having to move the sun and moon out of their orbit, or stop the earth from spinning.
Conclusion
God did not need to manipulate the physical orbs of the sun and moon or stop the spin of the earth to answer Joshua. God only needed to manipulate the Shemesh – The sunlight in order to answer Joshua’s prayer.
We also reject the latest internet silliness from the flat-earth cult, which believes God can only accomplish the Joshua miracle in their supposed flat-earth dome. Yahweh does not need your flat-earth to make this miracle a reality because Yahweh can operate just fine in the spherical earth and heavens he created.
There are practical explanations when we study the scriptures in proper context. However, too many people would rather resort to outrageous ideas and impractical concepts. We believe our explanations are scripturally sound and an explanation that science could easily agree with. We are not limiting God or belittling this miracle, but we know through our study of the scriptures that God does prefer to operate within his word, within his rules and within in the laws of nature he established.
“Do you know the laws of the heavens? Can you establish its dominion over the earth?” Job 38:33 WEB
Yahweh knows these laws because he alone established them. He is a God of laws but also a God of miracles capable of doing the impossible. This is not a contradiction because, like the account of Joshua 10, Yahweh is so great that he can still do miracles within his natural laws.
So, the question we strived to answers is: “Does the Bible really say the sun stopped for Joshua?” The answer we believe is yes, but we feel the context of scripture tells us that the physical sun was not stopped over the battlefield, but instead, it was the light of the sun that remained over the area for over 12 hours. This could have been done by natural refraction of the light, or by some other means. However, what appeared impossible to men, Yahweh made possible.
“…With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” Matthew 19:26 WEB
We also reject the latest internet silliness from the flat-earth cult, which believes God can only accomplish the Joshua miracle in their supposed flat-earth dome. Yahweh does not need your flat-earth to make this miracle a reality because Yahweh can operate just fine in the spherical earth and heavens he created.
There are practical explanations when we study the scriptures in proper context. However, too many people would rather resort to outrageous ideas and impractical concepts. We believe our explanations are scripturally sound and an explanation that science could easily agree with. We are not limiting God or belittling this miracle, but we know through our study of the scriptures that God does prefer to operate within his word, within his rules and within in the laws of nature he established.
“Do you know the laws of the heavens? Can you establish its dominion over the earth?” Job 38:33 WEB
Yahweh knows these laws because he alone established them. He is a God of laws but also a God of miracles capable of doing the impossible. This is not a contradiction because, like the account of Joshua 10, Yahweh is so great that he can still do miracles within his natural laws.
So, the question we strived to answers is: “Does the Bible really say the sun stopped for Joshua?” The answer we believe is yes, but we feel the context of scripture tells us that the physical sun was not stopped over the battlefield, but instead, it was the light of the sun that remained over the area for over 12 hours. This could have been done by natural refraction of the light, or by some other means. However, what appeared impossible to men, Yahweh made possible.
“…With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” Matthew 19:26 WEB
A second possibility
A second explanation that could be considered is that the light over the battlefield was Yahweh himself. His glory could have been the light that illuminated the battlefield. The scriptures say: “For Yahweh God is a sun and a shield…” Psalm 84:11
“The city has no need for the sun, neither of the moon, to shine, for the glory of God illuminated it, and its lamp is the Lamb.” Revelation 21:23
“Your sun shall no more go down, neither shall your moon withdraw itself; for Yahweh will be your everlasting light, and the days of your mourning shall be ended.” Isaiah 60:20 WEB
Even the book of Habakkuk that discusses the Joshua battle states:
“The sun and the moon stood still in the sky, at the light of your arrows as they went, at the shining of your glittering spear.” Habakkuk 3:11
We feel it is scripturally accurate and possible to believe that Yahweh could have been the light over the battlefield. Yahweh could have been the sun and shield for Joshua (Ps 84:11).
These two possibilities are more scripturally accurate than any of the explanation we have seen on the internet, or what has been taught by preachers or written in books. In both of our explanations, the focus is on Yahweh and not a flat-earth, a geocentric earth, or some other crazy theory.
We choose to believe scripture over man-made ideas that are not backed by the full context of scripture and we hope you will believe the same, put scripture over man-made opinions.
“The city has no need for the sun, neither of the moon, to shine, for the glory of God illuminated it, and its lamp is the Lamb.” Revelation 21:23
“Your sun shall no more go down, neither shall your moon withdraw itself; for Yahweh will be your everlasting light, and the days of your mourning shall be ended.” Isaiah 60:20 WEB
Even the book of Habakkuk that discusses the Joshua battle states:
“The sun and the moon stood still in the sky, at the light of your arrows as they went, at the shining of your glittering spear.” Habakkuk 3:11
We feel it is scripturally accurate and possible to believe that Yahweh could have been the light over the battlefield. Yahweh could have been the sun and shield for Joshua (Ps 84:11).
These two possibilities are more scripturally accurate than any of the explanation we have seen on the internet, or what has been taught by preachers or written in books. In both of our explanations, the focus is on Yahweh and not a flat-earth, a geocentric earth, or some other crazy theory.
We choose to believe scripture over man-made ideas that are not backed by the full context of scripture and we hope you will believe the same, put scripture over man-made opinions.
