Book of Joshua

God promises the Israelites he would bless them with multitudes and a land flowing with milk and honey. Thing is, that land is already inhabited by other people. The book of Joshua tells us about the Israelites conquering the promise land. Here are the major miracles in Joshua:

Crossing the Jordan River

• Joshua 3: 14 - 17
  • It's the harvest season, which means the Jordan River is stretching it's boundaries to the limit. The Israelites need to cross the river to continue their journey. God instructs Joshua, who is Moses' replacement, to have the priests and Levites walk with the ark of the covenant to the middle of the Jordan River. As soon as the carriers of the ark step into the river, the waters rise in a heap upstream and the waters downstream continue to flow to the Salt Sea. The Israelites cross the Jordan River on dry ground as the Levites hold the ark of the covenant in the middle of the river.

Wall of Jericho

• Joshua 6: 3 - 21
  • Now it's time for the Israelites to conquer the city of Jericho. The city is protected by a huge wall and they know the Israelites are coming. God tells them he will ensure their victory as long as they follow his instructions. He instructs them to have seven priests walk ahead of the ark of the covenant, each carrying a trumpet made of ram's horn. Armed men walk in front of and behind the priests with trumpets, as the whole group walks around the city of Jericho with only the sound of the trumpets heard for miles around. The Israelites walk around the city one time for six days in a row. On the seventh day, the Israelites walk around the city seven times and on the seventh round, Joshua tells them to shout with all their might as the trumpets are blasting. The walls of Jericho come tumbling down, they storm into the city and capture it successfully. 

The Sun Stands Still

• Joshua 10: 12 - 14
  • At this point, the Israelites have been conquering city after city. Fearful for their lives, the Gibeonites deceive the Israelites by pretending they come from a town far far away where they just want to be spared, pleading their allegiance. The Israelites make a peace treaty with them and vow to not destroy them (they did not consult God on this 🙄). A three days journey later, they come upon the city of Gibeon. Of course they are outraged, but the Israelites uphold the treaty. When the king of Jerusalem hears an alliance has been formed, he calls for help from four other Amorite kings to stand against the Israelites. As the fight wages on, God kills many Amorites with a hailstorm and Joshua prays the Sun and Moon would stand still until they get their revenge. The Sun and Moon stay in the sky for one day.