God Does Not Leave the Righteous in Distress Beyond Three Days

"And hide yourselves there three days" (Joshua 2:16). The Holy One, blessed be He, does not leave the righteous in distress more than three days. This is the meaning of what is written, "He will revive us after two days; on the third day He will raise us up, and we shall live before Him" (Hosea 6:2). On the third day of the tribes, as it is said, "And Joseph said to them on the third day" (Genesis 42:18). On the third day of Jonah, "And Jonah was in the belly of the fish three days" (Jonah 2:1). On the third day of those who came up from the exile, as it is said, "and we stayed there three days" (Ezra 8:32). On the third day of the resurrection of the dead, as it is said, "He will revive us after two days" (Hosea 6:2). On the third day of Esther, "And it came to pass on the third day, that Esther put on her royal apparel" (Esther 5:1). By what merit? The Rabbis say: by the merit of the third day of the giving of the Torah, "And it came to pass on the third day, when it was morning" (Exodus 19:16). Rabbi Levi said: by the merit of the third day of Abraham, as it is said, "On the third day Abraham lifted up his eyes" (Genesis 22:4).