All things bear record · Joshua

Joshua 20

3 witnesses of Christ here.

Jehovah

The LORD also spake unto Joshua, saying, Joshua 20:1–2

Jehovah, the premortal Jesus Christ, speaks to Joshua in His own voice and reminds Israel that He had already commanded these places of refuge through Moses. The refuge is His own design, not Israel's idea.

VerifiedJehovah — the LORDHe speaks in the first person

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

  • alludes to Numbers 35:9-12 — the earlier command Jehovah refers to: 'ye shall appoint you cities to be cities of refuge ... from the avenger'

City of Refuge

That the slayer that killeth any person unawares and unwittingly may flee thither: and they shall be your refuge from the avenger of blood. Joshua 20:3–5

A man who fled to the city stood at the gate, declared his cause to the elders, and was taken in and kept safe from the avenger. Christ is our refuge: when we flee to Him and plead our cause, justice cannot take us while we stay with Him.

VerifiedProphecy or typetype_place

How we know: a traditional type, cited · a footnote points to Him

  • alluded to by Hebrews 6:18-20 — 'who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us', with Jesus entered as forerunner and high priest - the New Testament picks up the refuge image

High Priest

And he shall dwell in that city, until he stand before the congregation for judgment, and until the death of the high priest that shall be in those days: then shall the slayer return, and come unto his own city, and unto his own house, unto the city from whence he fled. Joshua 20:6

The refugee could go home free only when the high priest died. Jesus Christ is the great High Priest whose death is what sets us free to go home to God.

VerifiedProphecy or typeAn event that is a type of Him

How we know: the verse itself names Him · a footnote points to Him · a traditional type, cited

  • alludes to Numbers 35:25 — the same law: the slayer 'shall abide in it unto the death of the high priest, which was anointed with the holy oil'
  • a type of what is in Hebrews 9:11-12 — Christ 'an high priest of good things to come ... by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us'