Deception, Miracles, and the Day the Sun Stood Still! (joshua 9-10)

Today, we’re diving into Joshua 9 and 10—where Joshua faces deception, war, and one of the greatest miracles in history: the day the sun stood still!

We’re going to see how a bad decision led to unexpected consequences, how God fights for His people, and how trusting Him can lead to supernatural victories.

Section 1: The Gibeonite Deception (Joshua 9:1-15)

After Israel’s victories over Jericho and Ai, the surrounding nations are terrified. Instead of surrendering, they form a massive alliance to fight Israel.

But one group—the Gibeonites—tries a different strategy… deception.

• They dress in old clothes, carry moldy bread, and pretend they’ve traveled from far away.
• They tell Joshua, ‘We are your servants. Make a treaty with us!’
• Joshua and the Israelites believe the lie and make a peace treaty—but they never ask God first.

Three days later, Israel realizes the Gibeonites actually live nearby! They had been tricked!

Section 2: Israel’s Dilemma (Joshua 9:16-27)

When Israel finds out the truth, they are furious!

• The people want to destroy the Gibeonites, but Joshua honors the treaty because they swore an oath before God.
• Instead of killing them, Joshua makes them servants—woodcutters and water carriers for the Tabernacle.

This is a powerful lesson:

Always seek God’s guidance before making decisions! If they had prayed first, they wouldn’t have been deceived.

Section 3: The Five Kings Attack Gibeon (Joshua 10:1-7)

Now, here’s where things get wild…

When the surrounding kings hear that Gibeon has made a treaty with Israel, they freak out.

Gibeon was a strong city, and now it’s allied with Joshua? That’s bad news for the enemy!

So, five Amorite kings unite and attack Gibeon.

The Gibeonites send an urgent message to Joshua:

‘Come quickly and save us!’

And here’s what’s amazing: Even though the Gibeonites had deceived Israel, Joshua keeps his word and marches out to fight for them.

Section 4: The Battle Begins—God Fights for Israel! (Joshua 10:8-11)

As Joshua’s army marches all night toward Gibeon, God speaks:

‘Do not be afraid. I have given them into your hands.’

And then, God Himself joins the battle!

• Israel ambushes the Amorite armies and chases them down.
• As the enemy flees, God sends a hailstorm so massive that more soldiers die from hail than from Israel’s swords!

This is a reminder: When we fight God’s battles, He fights for us.

Section 5: The Sun Stands Still! (Joshua 10:12-15)

And now, for one of the most mind-blowing miracles in the Bible…

As the battle rages on, Joshua sees that they’re running out of daylight. If the sun sets, their enemies might escape.

So Joshua prays a bold prayer:

‘Sun, stand still over Gibeon, and moon, over the Valley of Aijalon!’

And guess what? The sun literally stops in the sky for an entire day!

The Bible says:

‘There has never been a day like it before or since, when the Lord listened to a human being.’ (Joshua 10:14)

This shows us: When we trust God and pray boldly, He can do the impossible!

Section 6: The Five Kings Are Defeated (Joshua 10:16-28)

The five kings run for their lives and hide in a cave. But Joshua’s men find them, trap them inside, and later bring them out for judgment.

Joshua tells his commanders to put their feet on the kings’ necks, symbolizing complete victory.

Then he declares:

‘Do not be afraid or discouraged. Be strong and courageous, for the Lord will do this to all your enemies.’

One by one, the kings are executed, and their armies are wiped out.

Through all of this, we see:

Victory belongs to the Lord—but we must step forward in faith.

Section 7: Israel’s Continued Victories (Joshua 10:29-43)

With God on their side, Joshua and his army go on to defeat city after city, taking over the southern part of the Promised Land.

Every time, Joshua follows God’s instructions—and every time, they win.

This is a reminder:

• God’s power is greater than any enemy.
• Obedience leads to victory.
• God fights for those who trust Him.

Conclusion: How This Applies to Us Today

So, what can we learn from Joshua 9–10? Here are three key takeaways:

1. Seek God before making decisions. Israel didn’t pray about the Gibeonites—and it led to trouble.
2. God fights for us. When we face battles, God is our defender—just like He fought for Israel.
3. Pray big prayers! Joshua prayed for the sun to stand still, and God answered. What bold prayers are we praying today?