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The Sun and Moon Stand Still
In Joshua 10-12, Joshua's victories are impressive, and his answered prayer is unprecedented. But Jesus accomplishes more in his obedience and fulfills even more of God's promises.
What’s Happening?
Joshua begins his final military campaigns and destroys all God’s enemies (Joshua 12:1). The kings of Canaan are alarmed at Israel’s quick advance and feel betrayed by Gibeon’s surrender (Joshua 10:2). They form a coalition and strike Gibeon’s capital in retaliation (Joshua 10:4-5). The Gibeonites ask Joshua for help and he immediately sends his entire army to their aid (Joshua 10:6-8).
Israel marches through the night and initiates a surprise attack at daybreak (Joshua 10:9). But before attacking, Joshua asks God for the sun and moon to stand still, and for the darkness before dawn to continue until their enemies are defeated (Joshua 10:12). And God answers Joshua’s prayer. He confuses the coalition’s army, sends hailstones, and extends the cover of darkness until the battle is won (Joshua 10:10-11). The enemy kings are captured, humiliated, and executed (Joshua 10:24, 26).
Joshua tells his men that this victory will not be their last, but they must remain strong and courageous (Joshua 10:25). Quickly, they destroy seven major cities and take control of strategic high ground in southern Cannan (Joshua 10:41). From this position Joshua is situated to take the rest of the land. But before they do, Joshua reminds Israel that all this victory is because God fights for them (Joshua 10:42).
Meanwhile, the tribes in the north of Canaan prepare for battle (Joshua 11:19). God hardens their hearts and leads them to their quick destruction. Israel finally has rest from war (Joshua 11:23).
We’re told that Joshua “left nothing undone” that the Lord had commanded Moses (Joshua 11:15). Chapter 12 then lists every kingdom the Lord won for Israel under both Moses and Joshua’s leadership.
Where is the Gospel?
Four times we’re told that the Lord fights for Israel—at Gibeon when darkness covers the battlefield (Joshua 10:14), when the kings are humiliated and destroyed (Joshua 10:25–26), when the cities in the south fall (Joshua 10:42), and again when the north collapses under God’s command (Joshua 11:6). Just as constant as God’s intervention is Joshua’s posture of listening, praying, and obeying. When Joshua honors God’s voice, victory follows.
Jesus is the truer and greater Joshua. He listens to the Father perfectly (John 5:19). Every miracle he prays for is answered because he lives entirely in step with the Father’s will (John 5:20). And God promises that an even greater work will be shown through him — something far more astonishing than the sun standing still.
Jesus promises that everyone who hears his voice and trusts him will rise from the dead (John 5:24). Death — the enemy beneath every enemy — is the “king” Jesus came to overthrow. And he does it not by killing others, but by entering death itself. By surrendering his life, Jesus steps into the battlefield where death believes it has the advantage — and then he breaks its power from the inside out (Hebrews 2:14–15).
At the cross Jesus enters the realm devoted to destruction, and in his resurrection he empties it of its authority. That is where our true rest comes from. Not because Jesus fought in our place so we wouldn’t have to, but because he has already conquered the enemy none of us could defeat.
Jesus leaves nothing undone in his war against death. His resurrection is the final blow, and his kingdom is now the land where no enemy will ever rise again. In him we have a home. In him we have rest. And in him every promise of God finds its “yes” and “amen.”
See for Yourself
May the Holy Spirit open your eyes to see the God who fights for his people. And may you see Jesus as our victorious warrior who destroys the power of death and brings us into the rest of his kingdom.