John Calvin Commentary Joshua 10:12

"Then spake Joshua to Jehovah in the day when Jehovah delivered up the Amorites before the children of Israel; and he said in the sight of Israel, Sun, stand thou still upon Gibeon; And thou, Moon, in the valley of Aijalon." — Joshua 10:12 (ASV)

Then spoke Joshua to the Lord, etc. This is the literal reading, but some interpret it as meaning before Jehovah. For to speak to God, who, as piety dictates, is to be humbly petitioned, seems hardly in accordance with the modesty of faith; and it is immediately added that Joshua addressed his words to the sun. I have no doubt that the former clause indicates a prayer or vow, and that the latter is an expression of confidence after he was heard. For to command the sun to stand, if he had not previously obtained permission, would have been presumptuous and arrogant. He first, then, consults God and asks. Having immediately obtained an answer, he boldly commands the sun to do what he knows is pleasing to God.

And such is the power and privilege of the faith which Christ inspires (Matthew 17:20; Luke 17:6), that mountains and seas are removed at its command. The more the godly feel their own emptiness, the more liberally God transfers His power to them; and when faith is joined to the word, He demonstrates His own power in it. In short, faith borrows the confidence of command from the word on which it is founded. Thus Elijah, by the command of God, shut and opened heaven, and brought down fire from it; thus Christ equipped His disciples with heavenly power to make the elements subject to them.

Caution, however, must be used, lest anyone should on his own initiative presume to issue rash commands. Joshua did not attempt to delay and check the course of the sun before he was well instructed as to the purpose of God. And although, when he is said to have spoken with God, the words do not sufficiently express the modesty and submission which befit the servant of God when offering his prayers, it is sufficient for us to briefly understand as implied, that Joshua implored God to grant what he desired, and on obtaining his request, became the free and magnanimous herald of an incredible miracle unlike any that had happened before.

He never would have ventured in the presence of all to command the sun so confidently, if he had not been thoroughly conscious of his calling. Had it been otherwise, he would have exposed himself to a base and shameful affront. When, without hesitation, he opens his mouth and tells the sun and the moon to deviate from the perpetual law of nature, it is just as if he had solemnly commanded them by the boundless power of God with which he was endowed. Here, too, the Lord gives a bright display of His special favor toward His Church. As in kindness to the human race He divides the day from the night by the daily course of the sun, and constantly whirls the immense orb with tireless speed, so He was pleased that it should stop for a short time until the enemies of Israel were destroyed.