SUBMISSION AND OPPOSITION. 73

a man of them stand before thee.” So Joshua set off
very quickly, and marched all night.

George. What was the use of his doing that when
God had promised that he would conquer the enemy.

Grandfather. He shewed by his diligence that he be-
lieved that promise. The more firmly we trust in God,
the more careful will we be to do our duty, for the pro-
mises of God are intended to encourage our endeavours.
A complete victory followed. The five kings and their
armies were completely defeated. They fled both to the
north and to the south, and were pursued by the Israelites
and slain. Notwithstanding the great slaughter among
the Amorites by the sword of Israel, the Lord slew more
of them by a miraculous hail storm. It was miraculous
because it discomfited the enemy only, and gave no an-
noyance to the Israelites. Then Joshua prayed to the
Lord that the sun and moon might stop in their course,
that night might not come on before his day’s work was
done. Boldly, before all the people of Israel, their
leader gave the command, “ Sun, stand thou still upon
Gibeon, and thou moon in the valley of Ajalon.” This
speech shows the strong faith of Joshua. If what he
said had not come to pass, the people would have thought
him mad. But it did come to pass ;- the sun stood still
until the destruction of the Amorites was complete.

Johnnie. How long did the sun stand still, grand-
father ?

Grandfather. A day, we are told; so that day would
be double the length that it otherwise would have been.