Joshua 10:12–13 (KJV)
“Then Joshua spake to the LORD in the day when the LORD delivered up the Amorites before the children of Israel, and he said in the sight of Israel, Sun, stand thou still upon Gibeon; and thou, Moon, in the valley of Ajalon.
And the sun stood still, and the moon stayed, until the people had avenged themselves upon their enemies. Is not this written in the book of Jasher? So the sun stood still in the midst of heaven, and hasted not to go down about a whole day.”
The Day Wouldn’t End—Because the Work Wasn’t Done
After defeating Jericho, Ai, and Bethel and placing the Gibeonites under subjection, Joshua and Israel were drawn into battle with a confederation of five Canaanite kingdoms. The earlier battles of the conquest had been fought on Israel’s terms—one city at a time, with rest in between. But now, as often happens in life, the time and place of labor were not Joshua’s to choose.
In truth, Joshua’s treaty with the Gibeonites—made without consulting the Lord—put him in this position. The five kings attacked Israel’s new allies, and the nation’s sworn word bound them to come to Gibeon’s aid.
“Sun, Stand Still”
With the sun in the east and the moon in the west, it must have been early in the fight when Joshua realized there was more work here than one normal day could hold. If the Canaanites escaped to their cities, they would re-arm and return again and again. So Joshua asked God for time to finish the job—however long it took. And it took time—likely eight to twelve extra hours of daylight.
Victory That Feels Like a Trial
Imagine how the soldiers felt as the day stretched on… and on… and on. In battle there is no coffee break, no nap, no dinner—not even time to grab a Snickers and a Coke. They were winning; God was giving decisive victory. But the work was long, slow, tiring, repetitive. By the end of that drawn-out day, God’s blessing and answer to Joshua’s prayer may well have felt like a trial.
Don’t Watch the Clock—Seek God’s Objective
I’ve never fought in a battle, but I’ve worked some long days. I’ve faced tasks that had to be finished before rest could come—tasks that took much longer than I planned. Perhaps you’ve been there too: frustrated, exhausted, tempted to set down your tools and face the consequences tomorrow.
Joshua’s eyes were on the victory, not the clock. He wasn’t waiting for quitting time; he was seeking God’s objective in the battle. He understood that accomplishing God’s purpose was worth the sacrifice—and that a deeper, better rest would follow obedience.
Take-Home
- Finish the work God gives. Pray less for the day to end and more for strength to complete the assignment.
- Trust His timing. If He extends the day, He intends a fuller victory.
- Keep your eyes on the objective. God is working to bring us to what He has promised.
Prayer
Lord, when the day stretches long and the work feels endless, fix our eyes on Your purpose. Give us strength to finish what You’ve given us to do, and let our rest be sweeter for having obeyed You. Amen.