The answer is: Hailstones

Josh 10:11

Isn’t it fascinating how hailstones hurled from the sky not only added punch to one of Scripture's dramatic battles but also showcased the divine intervention concept throughout the Bible? Weather, especially storms and upheavals, frequently appears as a theatrical backdrop in biblical accounts, symbolizing both judgment and protection.

In the battle of Beth-Horon, God turns a natural element—hailstones—into an unexpected ally for the Israelites. What’s intriguing here is how nature itself seems to carry out divine will; it paints a picture of a universe intertwined with God’s intentions. Farming cultures, such as the Israelites, had immediate feelings about these kinds of weather phenomena. A sudden hailstorm could destroy crops or, as in this story, serve as judgment against enemies.

This isn't an isolated occurrence either; you can trace a repeated theme through texts like Exodus, where plagues like hail were visited upon the Egyptians—nature aligning with divine messages and purposes. Plus, many psalms, like Psalm 18, poetically reference God using nature against foes, suggesting a cosmic order where the elements serve the Almighty. And here's a fun detail: ancient people often treated elements like rain, hail, and fire not just as weather but as symbols of God’s might, reminding us that interpreting old narratives invites us to explore connections that bind history, spirituality, and the natural world!