All things bear record · Joshua

Joshua 18

3 witnesses of Christ here.

The tabernacle

And the whole congregation of the children of Israel assembled together at Shiloh, and set up the tabernacle of the congregation there. And the land was subdued before them. Joshua 18:1

Once the land is subdued, Israel sets up the tabernacle — God's dwelling place — at the center of the land. Hebrews teaches that the tabernacle was the shadow of heavenly things and that Christ ministers through a greater and more perfect tabernacle; John says the Word 'dwelt' (literally tabernacled) among us.

VerifiedProphecy or typetype_place

How we know: another scripture interprets it of Him · a footnote points to Him · a traditional type, cited

  • interpreted by Hebrews 8:5 — The Levitical service was 'the example and shadow of heavenly things', and Christ is 'a minister of the sanctuary, and of the true tabernacle' (Heb. 8:2).
  • a type of what is in Hebrews 9:11 — Christ came as high priest 'by a greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands.'
  • a type of what is in John 1:14 — 'The Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us' — God tabernacling with His people in person.

Jehovah, present at the sanctuary

Ye shall therefore describe the land into seven parts, and bring the description hither to me, that I may cast lots for you here before the LORD our God. Joshua 18:6–10

The inheritance is divided 'before the LORD' at the tabernacle, three times over. Jehovah Himself, the premortal Christ, is trusted to assign each tribe its place — the lot is not chance but His decision.

VerifiedJehovah — the LORDA divine name

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

  • a parallel account in Joshua 14:2 — The same allotment by lot, there 'as the LORD commanded by the hand of Moses'; the footnote ties the two passages together.

Priesthood pointing to Christ

But the Levites have no part among you; for the priesthood of the LORD is their inheritance: and Gad, and Reuben, and half the tribe of Manasseh, have received their inheritance beyond Jordan on the east, which Moses the servant of the LORD gave them. Joshua 18:7

The Levites' inheritance was the priesthood of the LORD. Hebrews teaches that this lesser priesthood could not bring perfection, and so pointed beyond itself to a priest after the order of Melchizedek — Jesus Christ, the great High Priest.

VerifiedEchoAn echo of Him

How we know: another scripture interprets it of Him · a footnote points to Him

  • interpreted by Hebrews 7:11 — 'If therefore perfection were by the Levitical priesthood … what further need was there that another priest should rise after the order of Melchisedec?'