Joshua 10:12–14 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.  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. 14 There has been no day like it before or since, when the Lord heeded the voice of a man, for the Lord fought for Israel.

Many explanations have been given concerning this event. Some suggest a “local miracle” in which God allowed light to remain in Gibeon, much like the Hebrews had light even when the Egyptians were in the dark (Exodus 10:23). However, the text seems to indicate an actual change of the earth’s rotation, since it says the sun did not set.

We may not have a scientific explanation of how God performed this miracle, but He did.

God performed a wonderful miracle, causing the sun to delay its “setting.” God stopped the motion of the earth. There are objections to this explanation, based on the physics of motion, but the God who created the world and established natural laws is perfectly capable of compensating for any collateral complications. 

We may not fully understand how this “long day” occurred, a miracle does not have to be scientifically proven—just accepted. Joshua prayed, and God supernaturally provided the light necessary for Joshua’s army to win its battle.

Why did the day extend?

According to Joshua 10, the Israelite leader, Joshua, made a “mad dash” to get to Gibeon to protect that town against a coalition of Amorite kings. Like any good military leader in antiquity, Joshua inquired of God about his chances in battle; God guaranteed victory, which was all Joshua needed to know.

In compliance with God’s will to punish the terribly wicked nations of Canaan (Deuteronomy 9:5; Joshua 10:8), Joshua and his army of Israelites engaged in battle with the “five kings of the Amorites” and their armies at Gibeon (Joshua 10:5,10).

The consequence of the miracle

When we research this amazing miracle people try to give different explanations on how this was possible or impossible.

I would like to tell you my take. God is able to extend a day so that you will achieve victory. This was the consequence of this great miracle

God is "the Father of lights” (James 1:17). According to 1 John 1:5 "He is light"

If God was able to create the sun, the moon and the stars, wouldn't he be able to stop them from rotating if he wanted?

There are no limits to what you can accomplish through God 

Philippians 4:13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.

Jesus lives in you, and He strengthens you. In your own strength you can do nothing, but in the strength of God, you can do all things. "All things" means there is no limit to what you can do. God has given you everything you need to be successful in accomplishing His purposes in your life.

Push your limits out, as far they will go. Be bold in your prayers and even though God may not stop the rotation of the earth for you He is able to do more than what you ask, think or imagine.

Ephesians 3:20 Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us,

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