I'm Dennis Finnan, host and speaker for the World, the Word & You! and in a moment we'll talk about TALL TALES AND LONG DAYS!

… Before we begin our look into God's Word, I want it clearly known that I firmly believe in the full inerrancy, absolute infallibility, and complete divine inspiration of God's Word. What that means is no where within its pages exists any false teachings, false reporting, historical errors or exaggerations. When the Bible speaks, God tells us the truth and we are called to believe it as written. This is important for the passages we are going to examine today have been a great test of faith for many a believer. In fact, in my studies of this subject of the longest day in human history, I've discovered many learned Christians, are rather embarrassed of the presence of this fantastic account, and even conservative Bible scholars shun to comment on it. What account is this? Well, it's the record, in the Book of Joshua, of God's miraculous intervention in the complexity and order of the universe in answer to one man's plea and prayer.

Yes, Joshua, God's great commander of Israel boldly asked God to cause the universe to virtually stand still and grant a continuing day of daylight to route the enemies of his people. So after we pause one more time for this delightful interlude, I'll return with my message entitled: TALL TALES & LONG DAYS…

… For almost a century the Church of Jesus Christ has used a strange report, that recently was adapted to include NASA. This report stated that NASA astronomers were puzzled to find a “missing day,” in our world’s past.  The older legend was reworked in 1970 to say NASA ran computer measurements back and forth over the centuries and discovered a day missing in space.  This claim I must report is nothing more than an urban and now internet legend. Unfortunately, some Christian, glad to hear of some support for bible accuracy began using this to bolster faith in the Bible, for that missing day seemed to correspond with an account in the Old Testament concerning a battle by Israel under Joshua’s command. Permit me to read to you this startling text of God's miracle answer to prayer that changed the course of the universe for a single day. We read in,

Joshua 10:12-14 (NIV)  “On the day the LORD gave the Amorites over to Israel , Joshua said to the LORD in the presence of Israel : “O sun, stand still over Gibeon , O moon, over the Valley of Aijalon .” 13 So the sun stood still, and the moon stopped, till the nation avenged itself on its enemies, as it is written in the Book of Jashar. The sun stopped in the middle of the sky and delayed going down about a full day. 14 There has never been a day like it before or since, a day when the LORD listened to a man. Surely the LORD was fighting for Israel !”

Now, this whole account needs a summarizing explanation. You see, Joshua and the Israelites had moved into the land of Canaan . God had given a command for them to take possession of this land occupied by godless pagans under God’s judgments. It appears, Jehovah  had warned these people for more than 400 years, that their continuance to live in rebellion to His laws and will for life, would one day bring a judgment of expulsion upon them. God speaking to Abraham declared this long before it happened.

Genesis 15:16 (NIV)  “In the fourth generation your descendants will come back here, for the sin of the Amorites has not yet reached its full measure.””

It appeared that God mercifully tolerated the many wicked sins of the Canaanite peoples in the land promised to Abraham, until Israel was large and strong enough to enter the land and take possession of it as God commanded. What's more, this Miracle Day we are exploring now involved a retributive judgment on the wicked inhabitants of the land of Canaan . Joshua and his armies were not land grabbers, they were literally the "sword of the Lord," to bring that judgment long ago promised. However, as Joshua was battling the five Canaanite kings and their armies for ownership of the land in our text, God intervened in a number of miraculous ways.

First of all, as Israel battled these fierce people, in and by themselves they would probably have lost the battles; But, God promised Joshua, that He was on their side. The text tells us,

Joshua 10:8-10 (NIV)  “The LORD said to Joshua, “Do not be afraid of them; I have given them into your hand. Not one of them will be able to withstand you.” 9 After an all-night march from Gilgal, Joshua took them by surprise. 10 The LORD threw them into confusion before Israel , who defeated them in a great victory at Gibeon . Israel pursued them along the road going up to Beth Horon and cut them down all the way to Azekah and Makkedah.”

It was at this point, God providently intervened in the blazing heat of that hot day of battle. First, God sent a storm from off the Mediterranean Sea that parked over the enemy troops. From the storm, God hurled forth huge hailstones, crushing many of the enemy to death. The Bible gives this account.

Joshua 10:11 (NIV)  “As they fled before Israel on the road down from Beth Horon to Azekah, the LORD hurled large hailstones down on them from the sky, and more of them died from the hailstones than were killed by the swords of the Israelites.”

Here we note that this was the first miracle of that battle, because these hailstones were like none before. They were in a sense, "discriminating" hailstones. They fell in mass upon the enemy, but not one hit any of Joshua's troops. Why? Well, God was directing them to carry out His retribution against the godless Canaanites, whom He was driving out. Now the rest of the troops of the five Canaanite kings of the mountain areas, tried to flee to their walled cities. God had put fear in their hearts and their will to fight was gone. Yet, Joshua in obedience to God's call, pursued them to slay every last one of them as God commanded. Had any escaped, they would have rejoined forces for a later battle to kill the Israelites. It was kill or be killed. However, the pursuit of these Canaanites would take longer hours than the daylight left. Now, it was about noon when Joshua realized he needed at least another twelve hours of daylight to accomplish this mammoth task. So, it was at this point the Spirit of God filled Joshua with faith to believe God would give yet another miracle, perhaps the greatest miracle ever recorded in astronomical history. 

Now in the Bible, we find that God speaks of what is called a "prayer of faith" (James 5:13 -18). This is a prayer a man can utter, given confidence by God Himself in the human heart, to ask of Him for a great miracle to glorify the Lord. This is what Joshua does. Listen to his unbelievable request!

Joshua 10:12 (NIV)  “On the day the LORD gave the Amorites over to Israel , Joshua said to the LORD in the presence of Israel : “O sun, stand still over Gibeon , O moon, over the Valley of Aijalon .””

Joshua 10:13-14 (NIV)  “So the sun stood still, and the moon stopped, till the nation avenged itself on its enemies, as it is written in the Book of Jashar. The sun stopped in the middle of the sky and delayed going down about a full day. 14 There has never been a day like it before or since, a day when the LORD listened to a man. Surely the LORD was fighting for Israel !”

Now many critics have had a field day with this text. Some ridicule the fact that Joshua asked for the sun and moon to stand still. Now for accuracy sake, today we know the sun does not rotate the earth. Rather, the earth rotates around the sun. This is of course the easiest to answer. Joshua was simply using the descriptive language of observation of his day. He was not trying to be scientific. He simply spoke of what appeared before his eyes as it does to this day. Why we use the same expression nightly on the news and weather reports by saying the "sun will set at and rise at…" However, we must believe that what Joshua asked, was indeed a call for the greatest miracle ever to occur in human astronomical history. Now there are many explanations for this happening. Let's look at a few and comment on them. First there is…

1.      THE POETICAL EXPLANATION - Some scholars, very embarrassed by this bold account try to explain it away by saying what Joshua really meant was God somehow refreshed the troops that day and gave them added strength to route the enemy as if they had had another day to do it. Now the Bible does use poetical language, but when it does it plainly eludes to it. No, this is a poor explanation. In fact no explanation at all and does injustice to the text and God. These words and the corresponding account are not poetical, but factual and true! Now the second explanation for some is,

2.      THE REFRACTION THEORY - Here some scholars and scientist try to explain this miracle by saying what God did was cause a miracle refraction of the sun's rays to make it seem as if the sun and moon were out of their regular rotating places.  Some kind of a special and rare "mirage," occurred that afforded them extra daylight in answer to Joshua's prayer of faith. Again, this hardly explains what happened and fails to be an adequate explanation. You see Joshua asked God to hold the sun from going down. In answer to this specific prayer is exactly what God did! Now here is the major problem face through this.

You see, for the sun to cease its descent in the sky, this event can only happen if the earth's rotation would suddenly cease or drastically slow down. But if this occurred, scientists today tell us the most catastrophic worldwide cataclysmic disaster would occur on the earth. Kind of like you and me driving down a highway at 70 miles and hour and coming to an instand stop! Why, we all would be hurled into the dashboard and window of the car unless we were wearing seatbelts. Just think what would happen to the waters of our seas and lakes, not to mention, the tectonic disturbances in the earth's crust, and the displacement of objects on the earth's surface. Yes, any such drastic stopping of the earth's rotation would have been catastrophic to all life. Hence, many try to find other explanations. But, here's a third explanation for this fantastic miracle. It can be called,

3.      THE NASA COMPUTER AND URBAN MYTH  STORY - I don’t know if you've fully heard this one, but it has actually been out there for at least a century.  It is reported that astronomical calculations done by Yale astronomers discovered that there is a missing day in history. This myth later became embellished in 1970 by the claim that NASA computers performing the same calculations of time, discovered one full day missing in our past. What's more, some writings and commentaries on this passage claim that ancient records of the Egyptians, Chinese and Hindus' have recorded a miracle "long day!" Well, as accommodating as these unverified claims are ¾  all of them are unsubstantiated, unverifiable and are nothing more than old urban myths doctored in modern garb. As such, Christians should stop appealing to these as they don't answer the miracle truly recorded that day. Rather, we must consider ¾ was Joshua's prayer answered as he asked or wasn't it? The answer is, it was!

Now, the Hebrew word Joshua used in his prayer to call for the sun to stand still was the verb  "dom," which most English versions translate as "stand still." However, the Hebrew meaning literally can also mean to "hold off or gradually cease." I believe the latter fits better. Joshua simply asked God to "hold back" the coming nighttime, long enough for them to finish the pursuit of the enemy. Thus, the earth's rotation did not have to completely stop, but perhaps only be slowed down to accommodate another 12 hours or so of daylight. Remember too, this didn't mean staying at the noon hour of heat and light. Rather, just light enough and long enough to find the enemy, and keep the from hiding in the cover of night.

So, what God had to do possibly was perform a gradual deceleration of the earth, and then a gradual acceleration again to its normal speed. Scientists today say if that miracle could be accomplished, then the earth would not necessarily be damaged.

Dr. Henry Morris, a hydrologic scientist by training, and an apt theologian says in his commentary on this passage and I quote 

"A gradual deceleration of the earth to a stop, then later a gradual acceleration again to its normal speed would not produce any necessary tectonic disturbances in the earth's crust or any displacement of objects on its surface. It would, however, generate profound atmospheric disturbances, since the normal circulation of the atmosphere is tied in closely with earth's rotation. It might even generate volcanic activity, since earth's interior magma circulation may also be influenced to some degree by its rotation. Thus, a stopping of the planetary rotation and simultaneous stopping of the lunar revolution is the sole explanation satisfying all the descriptions of the event."   

Indeed, this is most likely the best explanation for this event as Morris continued to say,
"the entire phenomenon (deceleration, stones from heaven, hailstones, acceleration, etc.) occupied 'about a whole day,' so this long day was about twice the length of a normal day.  This was surely a unique miracle, but not beyond the capabilities of the Creator of the sun and moon and planets. He started their motions, has maintained them through the ages, and is able to change them at will."[1]

Now friend, I believe with all my heart, that God not only slowed the rotation of the earth, but also stopped the more mild but perhaps still serious effects that would have naturally occurred, such as severe weather changes and volcanic activity from happening.  Evidence that this is the preferred explanation can be deduced by the closing words of this account where we read,

Joshua 10:13b (NIV)  “… The sun stopped in the middle of the sky and delayed going down about a full day.”

Notice the phrase, "delayed going down." It does not say God stopped the earth, rather, gradually delayed its rotation. So you can see, although the miracle is an impossibility in and of itself, it is not so for the Creator who is of unlimited power! Yes, it all depends upon our view of God. Now, either we are "big-godders", or "little-godders," as the late Robert Dick Wilson, a professor of Hebrew at Princeton Seminary once said, "some men have a little god and they are always in trouble with him, for He can't do any miracles. He can't even take care of the inspiration of the Scriptures and their preservation and transmission to us. Alas, they have a little god." But Dr, Wilson went on to say others are "big-godders,"  '"These have a great God, who speaks and it is done. He commands and it stand  fast. He knows how to show himself strong on behalf of those who fear Him. These have a great God who blesses them and their ministry." [2]

How right Dr. Wilson was! Friends, nothing is to great for the God of the Bible. His great miracles performed that day for Joshua and God's people were to show them His love on their behalf. He promised them victory, for He appointed them as the instrument of justice to avenge His righteousness, and God delivered that day. Indeed, it was the longest day ever recorded and perhaps ever will be, but it was not a missing day! Rather, it is a day all history should marvel at and give praise to the God who created it.

Say friend, where does the truth of such a fantastic miracle day find you? Hopefully, as a believer who revels in the fact that the same God who delivered Joshua, is ready to stand firm on your behalf for His glory and your good! Although, we don't need any massive miracles today, God still has promised us,

Romans 8:28 (NIV)  “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

Yes, for all who place themselves under the divine protection of this great God and Savior, we have God's Word  ¾ we shall prevail! I thank God I can believe every Word in the Bible. I don't have to try and explain it away, or search for fanciful explanations. I just believe God and allow Him to do the rest. How about you? The first place we must take a step of faith to believe God is in what He says about us as created beings. God tells us in His Word, that all of us are sinners and under the wrath of His judgment because of this.  

As such, we are all perishing and like the ancient Canaanites, we too are living on borrowed time as tenants in God's universe. God has foretold that He is again going to evict all those who refuse to "bow their knee" in honor and worship of His very being. Although God is patient and long-suffering, we know that this day of quiet tolerance will end. When it does, God will not use a nation of believers to bring His just judgment, He will use His holy angels from Heaven.  I thank God I am among those who are not reserved for judgment, but rather for glory to be with God. I hope and pray you too are in this state, the Bible calls a believer in Jesus Christ. 

Now, anyone can enter, for the only requirement is to make peace with God through the Lord Jesus Christ. By accepting Him as your Lord and Savior, confessing your sins, and calling upon him to save you by His blood death on the cross ¾ God promises to forgive you all your sins, and grant you the gift of eternal life. Listen to what Jesus has promised,

John 1:12 (NIV)  “Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God—“

John 6:47 (NIV)  “I tell you the truth, he who believes has everlasting life.”

So whether you fully understand how God answered Joshua's prayer, to slow down the setting sun or not - you can believe this same God will work miracles on your behalf beginning with the saving of your soul. From there, God will keep you and nourish you till He returns in glory for His own. May Joshua's long day, indeed a miracle LONG DAY ever remind us God will move heaven and earth for our good and His glory. May God add His blessing to these Words for Jesus sake. Amen.

Although there are many foolish explanations for the miracles of the Bible, we can reply upon one thing. If God recorded it, it happened literally as it was written. We don’t have to be able to explain a miracle for that is often something we cannot explain. Yet, we can trust God's Word and promises are always true. Yes, time almost virtually stopped for Joshua and his armies thousands of years ago, and one day, it will surely stop for you and me. The question is what side of the clock will we be standing on? The side marked Heaven, or Hell? The truth is you must decide my friend, and you will do that by what you do with Jesus Christ. May God add His blessing to these Words for Jesus sake. Amen.

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[1] THE DEFENDER'S STUDY BIBLE, By Dr. Henry M. Morris, PhD. (Page 266 -Joshua 10:12), World Publishing.

[2] LET ME ILLUSTRATE, by Dr. Donald Grey Barnhouse, Copyright 1967, Fleming H. Revell, Co., pp 132,133. Westwood, NJ.

• Radio talk #1004

• Broadcast date: March  7, 2004

• Speaker: Dennis L. Finnan, Commentator

• Program: The World, the Word & You! Radio Broadcast

• Address: P.O. Box 60033 -  Grand Junction CO 81506