Topical Bible: Prayer of Joshua

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Topical Encyclopedia

The Prayer of Joshua is a significant event recorded in the Old Testament, specifically in the Book of Joshua. This prayer is most notably associated with the miraculous event where Joshua commands the sun and moon to stand still during the battle at Gibeon. This prayer exemplifies the power of faith and divine intervention in the lives of the Israelites as they conquer the Promised Land.

Biblical Context

The context of Joshua's prayer is found in Joshua 10. The Israelites, under Joshua's leadership, are engaged in a campaign to conquer Canaan. The Gibeonites, having made a treaty with Israel, are attacked by a coalition of Amorite kings. In response, Joshua leads the Israelite army to defend Gibeon. As the battle progresses, Joshua seeks divine assistance to ensure victory.

The Prayer and Miracle

Joshua's prayer is a bold and direct appeal to God. In Joshua 10:12-14 , it is recorded:

"On the day the LORD gave the Amorites over to the Israelites, Joshua spoke to the LORD in the presence of Israel: 'O sun, stand still over Gibeon, O moon, over the Valley of Aijalon.' So the sun stood still and the moon stopped until the nation took vengeance upon its enemies. Is this not written in the Book of Jashar? So the sun stopped in the middle of the sky and delayed going down about a full day. There has been no day like it before or since, when the LORD listened to the voice of a man, because the LORD fought for Israel."

This passage highlights the extraordinary nature of the event, emphasizing that the LORD listened to Joshua's voice, resulting in a supernatural occurrence where the celestial bodies halted their course. The text underscores the uniqueness of this day, marking it as unparalleled in history.

Theological Significance

The Prayer of Joshua is a profound demonstration of faith and God's sovereignty. It illustrates the belief that God is actively involved in the affairs of His people and is willing to alter the natural order to fulfill His purposes. Joshua's prayer reflects a deep trust in God's power and a recognition of His authority over creation.

From a theological perspective, this event serves as a testament to the covenant relationship between God and Israel. It reassures the Israelites of God's commitment to their success and His willingness to intervene on their behalf. The prayer also serves as an encouragement for believers to approach God with boldness and faith, trusting in His ability to accomplish the impossible.

Historical and Literary Considerations

The account of Joshua's prayer and the subsequent miracle is also noted in the "Book of Jashar," an ancient text referenced in the Old Testament. While the Book of Jashar itself is not part of the biblical canon, its mention lends historical weight to the narrative, suggesting that this event was well-known and recorded in other ancient sources.

Literarily, the passage is a powerful narrative that combines elements of prayer, divine intervention, and military conquest. It is a vivid illustration of the themes of faith, obedience, and divine support that permeate the Book of Joshua.

Conclusion

The Prayer of Joshua remains a compelling example of the power of prayer and the miraculous intervention of God in the history of Israel. It continues to inspire believers to trust in God's providence and to seek His guidance in all endeavors.

Nave's Topical Index

Joshua 7:10
And the LORD said to Joshua, Get you up; why lie you thus on your face?
Nave's Topical Index

Library

Joshua and the Angel
... Their only hope is in the mercy of God; their only defense will be prayer. As Joshua
pleaded before the Angel, so the remnant church, with brokenness of heart ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/chapter 47 joshua and the.htm

The Content of Prayer: Its Four Moods
... Even though it is not explicitly said that Joshua and Samson interceded but that
they ... the terms in their strict sense, is in our opinion distinct from prayer. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/origen/origen on prayer/chapter ix the content of.htm

"And Watch unto Prayer. "
... Did not the prayer of Joshua make the sun to stand still, till he had vanquished
his enemies? Wherefore was all this? Could he not have done it unasked? ...
/.../binning/the works of the rev hugh binning/sermon xxi and watch unto.htm

Restraining Prayer: is it Sin?
... dealt personally with Joshua, with Israel, with Achan. Let each of us allow Him
to deal personally with us concerning this sin, of restraining prayer, and its ...
/.../murray/the ministry of intercession/chapter vi restraining prayer is.htm

Moses' Prayer to be Blotted Out of God's Book.
... out of God's book to mean annihilation, and his answer to the prayer stands thus ...
The whole people, save Moses and Joshua, seem to have participated in the revolt ...
/.../lee/sermons on various important subjects/sermon viii moses prayer to.htm

Joshua
... What the precise meaning of Joshua's fine apostrophe to sun and moon may be, is
doubtful"whether a prayer for the prolongation of the day or rather perhaps a ...
//christianbookshelf.org/mcfadyen/introduction to the old testament/joshua.htm

Achan's Sin, Israel's Defeat
... Joshua's prayer is perplexed, and not free from a wistful, backward look, nor from
regard to his own reputation; but the soul of it is an earnest desire to ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture f/achans sin israels defeat.htm

Of Stations, and of the Hours of Prayer.
... ninth hour, praying at the third specific interval, (the interval) of final prayer. ...
even till "sunset," a "late Station?" [1084] Think we that Joshua the son ...
/.../on fasting in opposition to the psychics/chapter x of stations and of.htm

The Sun Stayed
... My text is only taken as a starting-point, and I shall say nothing about Joshua
and his prayer. ... How often since has Joshua's prayer been prayed again! ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture f/the sun stayed.htm

Joshua.
... (5) The story of the Gibeonites, their stratagem and consequent embarrassment of
Joshua. ... (9) The place of prayer and worship in the narrative. Give instances. ...
/.../gerberding/the way of salvation in the lutheran church/chapter vi joshua.htm