Today is Friday, April 19, 2019, and here is your daily devote. Regarding Joshua 10 verses 9-15, interpreters have proposed four major explanations of the passage. One, the earth stopped its rotation. Two, a solar eclipse occurred.
Three, an astrological omen took place. Or four, the passage is figurative, not literal. The second option is not plausible, because the text does not state that the sun and moon darkened. They continued to shine but stopped moving.
The verb is best translated to cease. The third option suggests that Joshua employed a pagan form of prayer based upon the practice found in other ancient Near Eastern cultures of reading omens in the movement of heavenly bodies. This option is inconsistent with Joshua's faithfulness to the Lord. The fourth option is not credible, because verses 13 and 14 state clearly that the sun and moon stopped their motion.
The best way to understand these events is to accept the first option, according to the plain reading of the text. Through alteration of the earth's rotation, the apparent movement of the sun and moon across the sky was halted. The urban legend that Princeton scientists or NASA computers have discovered Joshua's long day has circulated for more than a half century. Though baseless, this fictitious, scientific explanation is still widely promoted.
Have you given your life to Jesus? If not, please do so today. It is the greatest decision you could ever make. Jesus says that all who come to me, I will not turn away.
You can embrace the rescue of God by simply admitting your need to God, asking Him to forgive you, trusting in Jesus alone to rescue you, and following Jesus Christ, the King of your life, in faith from this day forward.