They faithfully rose and set, marking the days, months, and years. But according to Pirkei DeRabbi Eliezer, a fascinating early collection of Biblical stories and legends, all that changed with Joshua.
The text recounts a pivotal moment: Joshua leading the Israelites in battle. It was the eve of the Sabbath, a time of profound rest and spiritual reflection. But Joshua saw a grave danger. He feared that the fighting would force the Israelites to desecrate the sanctity of the Sabbath. Even more ominously, he perceived the dark arts at play – the magicians of Egypt were, allegedly, using their powers to manipulate the constellations against Israel.
What was he to do?
Joshua, in an act of incredible faith and power, stretched out his hand towards the sun and the moon. He invoked the Shem Hameforash, the explicit Divine Name of God, a name of immense power and mystery. And then, an astounding thing happened: the sun and the moon stood still.
Pirkei DeRabbi Eliezer tells us that each celestial body remained fixed in its place for thirty-six hours – long enough to ensure the Sabbath was fully observed and the threat neutralized. This miraculous event is, of course, based on the verse in Joshua 10:13: "And the sun stood still, and the moon stayed."
Think about the implications of this. It wasn't just a local event. The text goes on to say that all the kings of the earth heard of it and were astonished. Why? Because, as the verse in Joshua 10:14 emphasizes, "There was no day like that before it or after it, that the Lord hearkened unto the voice of a man."
The story in Pirkei DeRabbi Eliezer emphasizes the unique relationship between God and Joshua. Joshua's plea, his faith, his leadership – all combined to create a moment where the very laws of nature were suspended. It's a powerful reminder that faith, combined with righteous action, can achieve the seemingly impossible.
What does this ancient story mean for us today? Perhaps it's a call to recognize the power we each hold within ourselves, the potential to influence the world around us through faith, action, and a deep connection to something larger than ourselves. And maybe, just maybe, to believe that even the sun and the moon can listen.