Metaphysical Bible Interpretation of Joshua Chapter 1
Metaphysically Interpreting Joshua 1:1-9
1:1Now it came to pass after the death of Moses the servant of Jehovah, that Jehovah spake unto Joshua the son of Nun, Moses' minister, saying, 1:2Moses my servant is dead; now therefore arise, go over this Jordan, thou, and all this people, unto the land which I do give to them, even to the children of Israel. 1:3Every place that the sole of your foot shall tread upon, to you have I given it, as I spake unto Moses. 1:4From the wilderness, and this Lebanon, even unto the great river, the river Euphrates, all the land of the Hittites, and unto the great sea toward the going down of the sun, shall be your border. 1:5There shall not any man be able to stand before thee all the days of thy life. as I was with Moses, so I will be with thee; I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee. 1:6Be strong and of good courage; for thou shalt cause this people to inherit the land which I sware unto their fathers to give them. 1:7Only be strong and very courageous, to observe to do according to all the law, which Moses my servant commanded thee: turn not from it to the right hand or to the left, that thou mayest have good success whithersoever thou goest. 1:8This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth, but thou shalt meditate thereon day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success. 1:9Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of good courage; be not affrighted, neither be thou dismayed: for Jehovah thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.
Metaphysically Interpreting Joshua 1:10-18
1:10Then Joshua commanded the officers of the people, saying, 1:11Pass through the midst of the camp, and command the people, saying, Prepare you victuals; for within three days ye are to pass over this Jordan, to go in to possess the land, which Jehovah your God giveth you to possess it.
1:12And to the Reubenites, and to the Gadites, and to the half-tribe of Manasseh, spake Joshua, saying, 1:13Remember the word which Moses the servant of Jehovah commanded you, saying, Jehovah your God giveth you rest, and will give you this land. 1:14Your wives, your little ones, and your cattle, shall abide in the land which Moses gave you beyond the Jordan; but ye shall pass over before your brethren armed, all the mighty men of valor, and shall help them; 1:15until Jehovah have given your brethren rest, as he hath given you, and they also have possessed the land which Jehovah your God giveth them: then ye shall return unto the land of your possession, and possess it, which Moses the servant of Jehovah gave you beyond the Jordan toward the sunrising.
1:16And they answered Joshua, saying, All that thou hast commanded us we will do, and whithersoever thou sendest us we will go. 1:17According as we hearkened unto Moses in all things, so will we hearken unto thee: only Jehovah thy God be with thee, as he was with Moses. 1:18Whosoever he be that shall rebel against thy commandment, and shall not hearken unto thy words in all that thou commandest him, he shall be put to death: only be strong and of good courage.
October 5, 1902: Joshua 1:1-11
In the study of Bible symbology we should remember that the death of a character does not mean that there is a total disappearance from consciousness of the mental action which it represents, but that it typifies the obscuration of that particular phase of activity as a dominant quality, and the ascendancy of some other faculty that needs development.
In a certain stage of our development we depend almost entirely upon the Divine Law which Moses represents. We do not assert the I AM of our Being, but depend entirely upon the Law to bring us out of the wilderness of sense.
We find, however, that God is identity as well as life, and love, and intelligence, and to express His perfection in the “image and likeness,” we must develop the I AM power of Being. Hence the necessity of the retirement of Moses and the ascendancy of Joshua as leader of the forces.
Joshua means in Hebrew, “Jehovah is Savior.” His name originally was Hoshea, the same as the prophet Hoshea, signifying “ salvation” or “help.” To this was added afterwards (Num. 13:16) “Je” for Jehovah; and the name became Jehoshua, “Jehovah is salvation,” shortened to Joshua, later modified in Neh. 8:17 to Jeshua, from which came its Greek form in the Septuagint, Jesous, Jesus. Thus Joshua and Jesus represent the same faculty in different states of activity.
The Jordan is that great stream of mortal thought which runs through the race consciousness, and which we find within ourselves as an ancestral inheritance. To march boldly into this muddy stream requires fortitude and fearlessness. Joshua was told to be “strong and of good courage.”
“Every place that the sole of your foot shall tread upon,” represents that mastery of the I AM which comes when we “put our foot right down” on conditions and affirm our dominion.
Lebanon means “white mountain;” Euphrates, “fructifying;” Hittites, “opposition;” that is, you are to come into a consciousness of the purity of your being, that it is fed and fructified by a stream from on high, and you shall overcome all opposition. This is the promise of the Lord to every child who overcomes in the name of the Divine I AM, the Supreme Will at the centre of our being.
The “book of the law” is the understanding of the Divine Law, which is Moses. This is not to depart out of our mouth. We are to speak the truth always. We are also to meditate day and night. When we do this there is no danger of our affirming the I AM power from a personal or egotistical standpoint. True prosperity and success always result when we think and act from the Universal.
– UNITY magazine.
October 6, 1907: Joshua 1:1-11
Joshua means “Savior” or “helper.” Under certain states of mind the I Am in man acquires greatly added power. This power has its foundation in Spiritual understanding. The leadership of Moses was given to Joshua, because he had been under instruction and had acquired a proficiency that enabled him to perform with dispatch. When Joshua took command, he notified the children of Israel that they would pass over into the "Promised Land" in three days. This promptness of action is the result of confidence and power. When we know the law of Spiritual demonstration and have the courage to act, we are Joshua. It is this state of mind that saves the whole mentality from its errors and brings it to a consciousness of its natural inheritance in Being.
Courage is as contagious as fear and it can be imparted to every part of the consciousness through the use of the word. We often find ourselves quaking with fear and trembling within without knowing why. The cause is subconscious timidity. All the fearful experiences we have ever passed through have left their record upon the sensitive plate of the mind and they are vibrating in our nerves in spite of the consciousness that there is nothing to fear. We must have help to overcome this inner storm, or the next step, chronic nervousness, will ensue.
Nothing gives such courage and strength as the realization that the great God of the Universe is a spiritual presence that is constantly striving to impart to man all of its powers. “This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth, but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein; for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.” This is a treatment for prosperity and will bring success to anyone who applies it in thought and word.
“Be strong and of good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.” This promise is to those who believe in the living God as an ever-present Father helping his children in every undertaking. The realization of this will make stout the heart and purpose of the weakest man or woman and nerve them to accomplish whatever they set out to do. It is a truth. Try it and prove it.
– UNITY magazine.
May 19, 1918: Joshua 1:1-11
What, in consciousness does “Joshua” represent? “Joshua” is the positive expression of the Law, following “Moses,” the negative statement or letter of the Law.
What does “Jordan” represent? “Jordan” means “river of judgment.” When the Divine Law has been established in the consciousness, and the spirit of wisdom (Savior, Joshua) is recognized as the “minister” of the Law, we understandingly and courageously pass judgment on all thoughts. We command mortal thoughts (waters) to stand still afar off, to recede from consciousness, that the Israelites (positive thoughts of Truth) may pass over (stand in time of judgment) and come into possession of the “promised land” (realization of Divine Substance, the foundation of the new Christ Body).
What does the “sole of our foot” symbolize? The “sole” of the foot symbolizes the firm impression of the understanding upon Substance. This establishes the unity between Substance and understanding, giving man the concept of his unlimited possibilities.
Who is it that promises to “stand before thee all the days of they life,” and “I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee”? Jehovah, or man’s spiritual I AM. Through its power we are enabled to understand and to possess our Divine birthright.
What affirmation will lift one our of the old law of denial into the new law of positive affirmation? Those given in the text, which are, in substance: I am strong and of good courage. I do observe the Law, and turn not from it to the right hand, nor to the left, that I may have good success whithersoever I go.
October 21, 1923: Joshua 1:1-4
What is the meaning of the name, Joshua? The name, Joshua, is nearly identical with the name, Jesus (Savior). Both of these names are derived from the word Jehovah, meaning, “I AM THAT AM.”
Why did Moses (the law) die to be succeeded Joshua (I AM)? Moses represents the law of cause and effects. “Whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.” When a man comes to a realization of absolute Truth, as it is in Spirit, the power of the law dies and a new covenant of I AM dominion takes control. “For ye are not under law, but under grace.” When man gains the understanding that substance and life are spiritual and omnipresent, he has attained a new state of consciousness.
In the Scriptures what is this new consciousness called? The Scriptures symbolically refer to this new and true state of consciousness as “the promised land.”
What is the meaning of verse 3: “Every place that the sole of your foot shall tread upon, to you have I given it, as I spake unto Moses”? The feet represent our understanding of substance, the soles of the feet are the power of the understanding that lays hold of substance. Moses, the law, was given the Word, and Joshua (I AM) speaks the Word that makes substance and life manifest in the body.
Explain the symbols in verse 4. The “wilderness” represents thoughts that we have not yet cultivated; Lebanon, pure thoughts; the Hittites, thoughts of opposition and resistance; Euphrates, the great river of life (the blood).
February 17, 1924: Joshua 1:1-9
What does the death of Moses represent? Moses represents our understanding of divine law. When we emphasize the observance of divine law, we build that law up in consciousness, until it becomes the leader of all our spiritual thoughts. In the progress of soul unfoldment, every faculty must be rounded out. We find that the law (Moses) has given us the rule of action, but we must develop the acting ego (Joshua), which is very necessary to our possession of substance and life (the promised land). As the activity of the law wanes, it is succeeded by I AM.
Give the esoteric meaning of Joshua, the son of Nun, Moses’ minister. The word Nun means “eternal.” Nun, Joshua's father, belongs to the tribe of Ephraim (will). The name Joshua, identical with the name Jesus, means “I am Savior.” Joshua is the directive general of the law. The I AM asserts its leadership based upon understanding of divine law.
What is it to go over “this Jordan”? The name Jordan means “the river of judgment.” It represents that place in consciousness where we are willing to meet the results of our thoughts, face to face.
What is the meaning of verse 3: “Every place that the sole of your foot shall tread upon, to you have I given it, as I spake unto Moses”? The feet represent that part of our understanding which comes in contact with substance. Consequently, we can take possession of all substance that we comprehend and understand, in the name of I AM.
How great may be our possessions? The limits are symbolically described in verse 4. The wilderness means the undeveloped substance. “The earth was waste and void” (Genesis 1:2). Lebanon means white, pure, undefiled, representing the character of divine substance. “The great sea toward the going down of the sun” represents the great possibilities of expression within and without.
What is to be worked out by the I AM (Joshua) through the promise made in verse 5? An everlasting union with Jehovah is the work to be accomplished. First, the overcomer must trust in Jehovah God. Then he must realize that he is immersed in the omnipotence and omnipresence of Jehovah.
What is meant by verse 6: “Be strong and of good courage; for thou shalt cause this people to inherit the land, which I sware unto their fathers to give them”? Man must affirm spiritual strength and courage in order that all his thoughts (people) may become established in and lay hold of substance (land).
What is the meaning of the command; “Turn not from it to the right hand or to the left, that thou mayest have good success whithersoever thou goest”? Success in any undertaking depends upon undivided attention to an ideal. Do not be sidetracked by failures of the past or the discouragements of the present, but keep the mark of the high calling in Christ Jesus as your goal. As Jehovah said to Moses: “Speak unto the children of Israel, that they go forward.”
What is the metaphysical meaning of the promises, as set forth in verse 8, that one may have prosperity and success through keeping the book of the law in thought and in Word? The law of the Word is: “Thou shalt also decree a thing, and it shall be established unto thee” (Job 22:28). We must enter into the realization of the power of every word. Not only must we speak words of Truth, but our meditations should be based upon our understanding of the law, whether at the time we have the illumination (day), or darkness (night).
October 24, 1926: Joshua 1:1-9
What is it to arise and go over the Jordan to the Promised Land? The Jordan (which means “descending”) represents the negative the thought realm in consciousness, which must be overcome before one can enter into the Promised Land, or into harmony with Spirit.
“Every place that the sole of your foot shall tread upon, to you have I given it, as I spake unto Moses.” Explain. The feet represent the understanding in relation to the environment. When the I AM is firmly established in substance and in understanding of the law, it gains possession of all things.
Explain the promise, “I Will be with thee; I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.” Jehovah, the supreme I AM, identifies himself with Joshua, the individual l AM. When we affirm our unity with Jehovah, we are in the consciousness of his promise, “I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.”
How does Joshua (I AM) build up a fearless, strong, courageous state of mind? A fearless, strong, courageous state of mind results from affirmations of courage, strength, and power. The I AM must be established in its goal, and “turn not from it to the right hand or to the left.”
What is meant by the book of the law, of which Jehovah promises it “shall not depart out of thy mouth, but thou shalt meditate thereon day and night, ... for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success”? The book of the law means the understanding that there is a fixed spiritual law back of every manifest effect. By meditation this law is revealed to the inquiring mind. Meditation (inquiry into the law) should be carried forward in periods of light (day) and in times of darkness (night). Those who follow the law and arrange their thoughts, words, and acts in accordance therewith are always prosperous and successful.
July 2, 1933: Joshua 1:1-9
In this lesson what does Moses represent? Moses represents the evolutionary force of new ideas that have grown in the subconsciousness, until they have lifted man's true spiritual thoughts (Children of Israel) out of the depths of sense (Egyptian) bondage, into a higher life expression.
In soul unfoldment what does Joshua mean? Joshua means “Jah is savior,” or “Jehovah is salvation,” and symbolizes the next movement of the evolutionary force of new ideas, in which the soul realizes that it must abide continually in the Christ consciousness and must not, on any occasion, lapse into pride, or personal arrogance.
When the spiritual I AM in man is firmly established in the soul, what results? Rapid spiritual progress is assured. When Joshua took command, he notified the Children of Israel that they would pass over into the Promised Land in three days.
Jehovah's command to Joshua was, “Only be strong and very courageous, to observe to do according to all the law” Please explain. Everyone must have help to overcome the inner turmoil of the sense consciousness. Courage is more contagious than fear, and can be made to supplant fear. Courage can be imparted to every part of the consciousness through use of the word, and can thus cleanse the consciousness of all misgivings of whatever kind.
What, above all else, gives man the greatest courage and strength? Nothing gives man such courage and strength, as the realization that the great God of the universe is a spiritual presence that is constantly striving to impart to him all its powers.
Please give the meaning of the passage, “This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth, but thou shalt meditate thereon day and night ... for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.” This is a treatment for prosperity, and it will bring success to anyone who applies it in thought and word.
What great promise is given to all those who believe in the living God as an ever-present help? “Be strong and of good courage; be not affrighted, neither be thou dismayed; for Jehovah thy God is with thee withersoever thou goest.” A realization of the truth of this statement will make stout the heart and purpose of the weakest person, and will nerve him to accomplish whatever he sets out to do.
July 3, 1938: Joshua 1:2-6
What is the metaphysical meaning of the command to Joshua to cross over the Jordan into the Promised Land, since “Moses my servant is dead”? Moses represents the early stages of the individual's growth in Truth, in the understanding of divine law. The work of Moses is finished when the individual is ready to submit to the guidance of the I AM (Joshua) in all things.
What is the meaning of the name Joshua? Joshua means “Jehovah is salvation.” It is by virtue of his use of the I AM principle that man is saved. Jehovah is the “I AM THAT I AM” or real self of man.
Interpret verse 3. Every idea that we lay hold of and have faith in becomes ours.
What do the borders of the Promised Land represent metaphysically? In the individual consciousness the “wilderness” represents the multitude of undisciplined and uncultivated thoughts; “this Lebanon” represents pure thoughts; “the great river, the river Euphrates,” the nervous system in man. The Hittites represent thoughts of opposition and resistance, and the sea represents universal mind.
How does the I AM function in man? The I AM, enables man to identify himself with power, love, wisdom, peace, and Truth in all its phases.
What is the meaning of the names Canaan and Jordan? Canaan (lowland) represents the body consciousness; Jordan (the south flowing) the life flow or thought, through the body.
Why is the command to “be strong and of good courage” given to Joshua? The I AM is strong only as it is identified with Truth. When man identifies himself faithfully only with his higher self, he is strong. Courage is required for faithfulness to Truth in this respect.
Interpret the promise “As I was with Moses, so I will be with thee.” This promise is fulfilled, when man cultivates the presence of God and becomes conscious of Him as the indwelling Spirit of wisdom, peace, and love.
July 2, 1944: Joshua 1:1-9
Why is it stated in the lesson text that Jehovah spoke to Joshua only “after the death of Moses”? Those who seek divine guidance and receive it become leaders by reason of this fact. When Joshua took over the leadership, he was already trained to rely upon Jehovah and he at once received the inspiration to act with dispatch. “Jehovah spake unto Joshua.” Moses led the Children of Israel for forty years, and in their eyes he represented the divine law. The law gives us the rule of action, but when this is fixed mind, we must still learn to act upon it.
What is signified by the words: “Moses my servant is dead; now therefore arise”? When subconscious feeling no longer rules us, “Moses my servant is dead,” and the conscious I AM (Joshua) takes command. We are then ready to plan our life and qualified to express it, according to plan.
What metaphysical symbology is found in the command to pass over the Jordan with all the Children of Israel into the land that Jehovah had given them? The Children of Israel represent our true thought forces. These are to be led out of sense consciousness into spiritual consciousness. This transformation is made by means of the life flow of thought through the body (Jordan, “the south flowing”). The body consciousness (Canaan, “lowland”) is the divine gift that the true thought forces are to lift up and exalt, until it becomes the redeemed body or spiritual consciousness made manifest in us.
Why was ]oshua told repeatedly to have courage and be strong? Because courage is required to win back what has been so completely lost, that even the memory of it is forgotten. Faith (Abraham) first leads us to perceive the gift of the redeemed body, but when faith fails to complete the redeeming process, the true thought forces are withdrawn from the contemplation of the body consciousness, under the dominion of sense or the fleshly tendencies.
Joshua was directed to “cause this people to inherit the land which I sware unto their fathers to give them.” What spiritual truth is expressed in this verse? The gift of spiritual consciousness (“the land”) is given to us by the Father, but we make it our own and realize its fullest possibilities (inherit “the land”) only as we develop it by conscious thought through the I AM.
Is courage needed in order to persevere? Courage is needed when the task undertaken is one that does not show immediate or outstanding results. Growth in spiritual life, like growth in the natural world, is more often than otherwise, a gradual process, requiring “long patience.”
March 3, 1946: Joshua 1:1-4
In this lesson what does Moses represent? Moses represents the evolutionary force of new ideas that have grown in the subconsciousness, until they have lifted man's true spiritual thoughts (Children of Israel) out of the depths of sense (Egyptian) bondage, into higher life expression.
In soul unfoldment what does Joshua mean? Joshua means “Jah is savior,” or “Jehovah is salvation,” and symbolizes the next movement of the evolutionary force of new ideas, in which the soul realizes that it must abide continually in the Christ consciousness and must not, on any occasion lapse into pride or personal arrogance.
When the spiritual I AM in man is firmly established in the soul, what results? Rapid spiritual progress is assured. When Joshua took command he notified the Children of Israel that they would pass over into the Promised Land in three days.
What brings us into harmony with the law of life? Spiritual courage that carries us forward in the face of difficulties or dangers foreseen and understood, making us self-possessed and self-reliant meanwhile. We learn how to realize fullness of life by living courageously.
What does possession of the Promised Land signify? It signifies the spirit of self-possession in a body disciplined by right thinking. It signifies the power to direct life and the actual directing of it in conformity with the divine law of life.
December 16, 1951: Joshua 1:1-7
What is the significance of the words: “Moses my servant is dead; now therefore arise, go over this Jordan”? When the evolutionary force of new ideas (Moses) has completed its work of lifting the true spiritual thoughts (Israel) out of sense bondage (Egypt), it surrenders its leadership (dies). The I AM (symbolized by Joshua) then continues with the work of spiritual illumination.
What does the phrase “Every place that the sole of your foot shall tread upon, to you have I given it” mean? It means that every subject on which we take a firm stand and hold fast our faith concerning it will sooner or later yield up to us its secret. Thus we gain more understanding and increase our consciousness of our dominion over our world.
In what spirit do we remain continually conscious of God and of divine help? In a strong, courageous spirit. “Be strong and of good courage.” To the person of courage and strong faith all things are possible.
What quality of mind other than courage is especially emphasized in this charge of Jehovah to Joshua? Persistence, because it is only through courage and persistence that a difficult task can be carried through to a successful conclusion. “Turn not from it to the right hand or to the left.” Unless we concentrate all our energies on a given undertaking, we are not likely to succeed in it.
How can we overcome our fear of atomic power in an aggressive society? By working tirelessly to reveal to the world the beneficent effects of atomic power, by developing its various uses and expressing them, and by working tirelessly for the ideal of universal brotherhood, in which men dwell in peace with their fellow men.
Transcribed by Lloyd Kinder on 12-22-2013
