Joshua (person)

Moses handing over to Joshua

The children of Israel were held captive a long time in the arid desert until the time of Joshua

"Now, this reproach and rebuke was in reality addressed to the children of Israel, who, on account of their rebellion against the commandments of God, were made to dwell for a long period in the barren desert beyond the Jordan, until the time of Joshua. This reproach and rebuke appeared to be addressed to Moses and Aaron, but in reality it was directed to the people of Israel."

('Abdu'l-Bahá, Some Answered Questions, Chapter 44, par. 10)

Journey of the Israelites; Moses handed over His charge to Joshua

"It was both spiritual and physical. They journeyed to the Promised Land and geography and history both prove that this was a physical journey.

"Moses viewed the Promised Land but died before it was reached, having given over his charge to Joshua.

('Abdu'l-Bahá, Daily Lessons Received at Akka, p. 45, 1979 ed., in Lights of Guidance, no. 1678)

Moses was the root and Joshua the branch

"...Muḥammad was the root and ‘Alí the branch, like Moses and Joshua."

('Abdu'l-Bahá, Some Answered Questions, Chapter 11, par. 12)

Power/Jericho (symbolic?)

The power of Joshua was the same as that of `Alí; power to destroy the nations

“And have power over waters to turn them to blood”.[30 - Rev. 11:6] This means that the prophethood of Muḥammad was similar to that of Moses, and the power of ‘Alí like that of Joshua. That is, it was in their power, had they so desired, to turn the waters of the Nile into blood for the Egyptians and the deniers—or, in other words, to turn, in consequence of their ignorance and pride, that which was the source of their life into the cause of their death. Thus the sovereignty, wealth, and power of Pharaoh and of his people, which were the source of that nation’s life, became, as a result of their opposition, denial, and pride, the very cause of their death, ruin, destruction, degradation, and wretchedness. Hence these two witnesses have power to destroy nations."

('Abdu'l-Bahá, Some Answered Questions, Chapter 11, par. 17)

We cannot say exactly what happened at the battle of Jericho

"We have no way of substantiating the stories of the Old Testament other than references to them in our teachings, so we cannot say exactly what happened at the battle of Jericho."

(From a letter written on behalf of the Guardian to an individual believer, November 25, 1950, in Lights of Guidance, no. 1659)

See also

• Prophets
• Joshua (Bible chapter)