Joshua 10

Jehovah

And the LORD said unto Joshua, Fear them not: for I have delivered them into thine hand; there shall not a man of them stand before thee. Joshua 10:8

Jehovah, the premortal Jesus Christ, speaks directly to Joshua and promises victory before the battle begins. The same Lord who later told His disciples to 'fear not' is the one telling Joshua not to fear.

How we know: Jehovah is the premortal Christ (Abraham 1:16; D&C 110:3–4) · the verse itself names Him · a footnote points to Him · another scripture interprets it of Him

• alluded to by D&C 98:37 — The footnote on this verse sends the reader to the Lord's own words in the Doctrine and Covenants: 'I, the Lord, would fight their battles.'

Jehovah, who fought for Israel

And the LORD discomfited them before Israel, and slew them with a great slaughter at Gibeon, and chased them along the way that goeth up to Bethhoron, and smote them to Azekah, and unto Makkedah. Joshua 10:10–14

Jehovah fights Israel's battle Himself, scattering the Amorites, sending hailstones, and answering Joshua's prayer by holding back the sun and moon. Latter-day Saints understand this Lord who fights for His covenant people to be the premortal Jesus Christ.

How we know: the verse itself names Him · the chapter heading names Him · a footnote points to Him · another scripture interprets it of Him

• fulfils Deuteronomy 1:30 — Moses had promised, 'The LORD your God which goeth before you, he shall fight for you'; Joshua 10:14 reports that He did.
• alludes to Exodus 14:14 — 'The LORD shall fight for you, and ye shall hold your peace' at the Red Sea; the wording returns here at Gibeon.

Jehovah

And stay ye not, but pursue after your enemies, and smite the hindmost of them; suffer them not to enter into their cities: for the LORD your God hath delivered them into your hand. Joshua 10:19

Joshua urges the pursuit on the ground that Jehovah has already handed the enemy over. The victory is credited to the Lord before it is finished, not after.

How we know: the verse itself names Him · another scripture interprets it of Him

Jehovah, victor over Israel's enemies

And Joshua said unto them, Fear not, nor be dismayed, be strong and of good courage: for thus shall the LORD do to all your enemies against whom ye fight. Joshua 10:25

Joshua tells his captains that what happened to these five kings is what Jehovah will do to every enemy Israel faces. The promise rests on the Lord's power, not Israel's.

How we know: the verse itself names Him

Jehovah

And the LORD delivered it also, and the king thereof, into the hand of Israel; and he smote it with the edge of the sword, and all the souls that were therein; he let none remain in it; but did unto the king thereof as he did unto the king of Jericho. Joshua 10:30–32

City by city the record says the LORD delivered the enemy into Israel's hand. Jehovah, the premortal Christ, is named as the one actually winning the campaign.

How we know: the verse itself names Him · the chapter heading names Him

Jehovah, the LORD God of Israel

So Joshua smote all the country of the hills, and of the south, and of the vale, and of the springs, and all their kings: he left none remaining, but utterly destroyed all that breathed, as the LORD God of Israel commanded. Joshua 10:40–42

The chapter closes by crediting every victory to the LORD God of Israel. Joshua won because Jehovah, the premortal Christ, fought for His covenant people.

How we know: Jehovah is the premortal Christ (Abraham 1:16; D&C 110:3–4) · the verse itself names Him · the chapter heading names Him · a footnote points to Him

• fulfils Joshua 10:8 — The footnote ties the closing summary back to the Lord's opening promise, 'I have delivered them into thine hand.'