Joshua spoke to the Lord, and said in the sight of Israel, ‘Sun, stand still…’ And the sun stood still. – Joshua 10:12-13
Bible scholars point out that Joshua is a type of Christ, meaning he is a picture of the Messiah to come. Joshua and Jesus have the same Hebrew name meaning, “Jehovah is salvation.” Both Joshua and Jesus saved their people from the enemy. Joshua’s enemy was physical. Jesus delivered His people from spiritual darkness. Joshua’s accomplishments were temporal, what Jesus did lasts through eternity.
They both came to the world as servants. Not only was Joshua a servant of Moses, he told the Israelites, “…choose this day whom you will serve… But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord” (Joshua 24:15). Jesus said, “The Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many” (Matthew 20:28). As Joshua obeyed Moses and God, Jesus surrendered His will to the Father’s. (Luke 22:42). Joshua and Jesus were empowered by the Holy Spirit. (Deuteronomy 34:9, Isaiah 42:1). In today’s verse, Joshua spoke and the sun stood still. Jesus spoke to the stormy sea and the wind, and they obeyed Him (Mark 4:41).
God used Joshua as a foreshadow of the coming of His Son. God’s whole intention throughout history has been to have a loving relationship with His people. As you celebrate Christmas this year, thank Him for sending His Son and inviting whoever believes into His family. “See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are” (1 John 3:1). Pray for the leaders and people of the United States to receive salvation only found in Jesus.
Today’s Verse: Joshua 10:12-13
12 At that time Joshua spoke to the Lord in the day when the Lord gave the Amorites over to the sons of Israel, and he said in the sight of Israel,
“Sun, stand still at Gibeon,
and moon, in the Valley of Aijalon.”
13 And the sun stood still, and the moon stopped,
until the nation took vengeance on their enemies.
Is this not written in the Book of Jashar? The sun stopped in the midst of heaven and did not hurry to set for about a whole day.
All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Recommended for further reading: Mark 4:35-41
35 On that day, when evening had come, he said to them, “Let us go across to the other side.” 36 And leaving the crowd, they took him with them in the boat, just as he was. And other boats were with him. 37 And a great windstorm arose, and the waves were breaking into the boat, so that the boat was already filling. 38 But he was in the stern, asleep on the cushion. And they woke him and said to him, “Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?” 39 And he awoke and rebuked the wind and said to the sea, “Peace! Be still!” And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. 40 He said to them, “Why are you so afraid? Have you still no faith?” 41 And they were filled with great fear and said to one another, “Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?”
All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
