Jesus in the Old Testament 012: The Name of Jesus

Jesus in the Old Testament 012:

The Name of Jesus  

       

Thesis: Jesus’ name, in Hebrew, is Yeshuah. The Aramaic equivalent is “Yeshua.”  It appears 61 times in 48 passages in the OT exactly as his name and is translated, “Yahweh saves,” “saving power,” or “salvation.”  Several of these passages (not all), when translated instead as his name, are prophetic and instructive.  To the Jew who rejects Jesus as Messiah and God, this can be a powerful piece of the argument that, just as Jesus claimed, all the scriptures are about him.

1. Nutshell (>5 min w/kids)
1. Do you know the meaning of your name?
2. Do people ever call you something other than your given name? A nickname or pet name?
3. Do you know what Jesus’ name means?
1. Jesus is an English spelling of a German translation of the Latin version of the Greek word that sounded most like the Aramaic name Yeshua.
2. Jesus would have been called “Yeshua” by his mother.
3. Yeshua means “The Lord is salvation.” or “The Lord Saves.”
4. That is why we call him “Savior.” It’s who he is and what his name means.
4. Would you be surprised to know that his name shows up 61 times in the OT?
5. Even as early as Genesis 49, he is in the scripture by name. 
6. We are going to look at lots of places where his name shows up and see what we can learn about him.

2. Deeper
1. Hebrew word:
1.       יָשַׁע yasha (446b); a prim. root; to deliver:
2.       יְשׁוּעָה yeshuah (447b); from 3467; salvation:—deeds of deliverance(1), deliverance(6), help(4), prosperity(1), salvation(61), save(1), saving(1), security(1), victories(1), victory(1).
3.      יְהוֹשֻׁעַ Yehoshua (221c); from 3068 and 3467; “the LORD is salvation,” Moses’ successor, also the name of a number of Isr.:—Jeshua(28), Joshua(219).
4.  יֵשׁוּעַ Yeshua (1096b); (Ara.) corr.
5. The name Jeshua is properly pronounced “Yeshua.” The “J” associated with many biblical names and places comes from German transliterations of Hebrew words (in German, the letter “J” is pronounced like an English “Y”). Jeshua (Yeshua) is a shortened form of the name Joshua (Yoshua) or Jehoshua (Yehoshua). The difference between the earlier and later forms is that the theophoric element Jeho (Yeho), meaning “the Lord,” is contracted to Je (Ye). This is a trend in postexilic narrative writing (i.e., from 538 BC onward).  <Wilson, D. K., & Balogh, A. L. (2016). Jeshua, Ancient Name of. In J. D. Barry, D. Bomar, D. R. Brown, R. Klippenstein, D. Mangum, C. Sinclair Wolcott, … W. Widder (Eds.), The Lexham Bible Dictionary. Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press.>
2. “Yeshua” or “Yehoshua” as a Biblical word shows up hundreds of times in the OT.  It has several inflected forms. 
1. It shows up, exactly as Jesus’ name, nearly 300 times. 
2. Nearly 250 of those references are translated as a proper name of a contemporaneous person (Joshua or Jeshua).
3. 52 times, it is not translated as a name but as the phrase “Yahweh saves,” “Salvation,” or “Saving Power.”  Those occurrences can be read past without registering that this is the name of our Lord in the text.
4. Some (admittedly, not all) of those occurrences, when translated rather as the name Yeshua, become prophetic of Jesus or instructive to us. 
3. Evangelistic power:
1. Jews claim that Jesus is not mentioned in the OT.
2. Not only is his name there, but the OT describes the Jewish rejection of him by name several times.
3. The OT also promises blessings and eternal life to those who will trust in Jesus, again, speaking of him by name.
4. When they see this, it goes a long way to demonstrate to them the truth of Jesus’ claims to Messiahship and Godhead.
4. General Instructive references:
1. First occurrence: Gen 49:18 I wait for your YESHUA, O Lord.

a)     They knew that Messiah was coming early on and were looking:

(1)   Gen 3:15

(2)  Deut 18:15

b)     Jesus was not to come at the beginning of the story of man’s struggle against his sin, but when God declared that it was the proper time:

(1)   Gal 4:4-5

(2)  Eph 1:7-10

2. Ex 14:13 And Moses said to the people, “Fear not, stand firm, and see the YESHUA of the LORD, which he will work for you today. For the Egyptians whom you see today, you shall never see again.

a)     In context, it is the Angel of the Lord which goes before the people (Ex 13:21; 14:19).  We have already concluded that this is Jesus.

b)     Here, Yeshua is declared as emanating from the Father, which Jesus teaches explicitly:

(1)   John 10:30

(2)  John 14:9

3. Ex 15:2       The LORD is my strength and my song, and he has become my YESHUA; this is my God, and I will praise him, my father’s God, and I will exalt him.

a)     After God delivers through the Red Sea, Moses praises God and declares that God “has become” or “has been revealed as” Yeshua.

b)     Ex 6:3 God determined to reveal himself in a new way to Israel as their covenant-keeping God.  Afterward, Moses declares that God has become Yeshua.

4. 2 Chron 20:17 You will not need to fight in this battle. Stand firm, hold your position, and see the YESHUA of the LORD on your behalf, O Judah and Jerusalem.’ Do not be afraid and do not be dismayed. Tomorrow go out against them, and the LORD will be with you.”

a)     Jesus alone saves us, apart from any work we might be able to accomplish (Rom 3:21-25; Eph 2:8-9)

b)     Jesus wins the victory and then invites his people to march out with him and observe the victory, not fight to obtain it (1Cor 10:13; Rev 19:11-19)

5. Psa 28:8 The LORD is the strength of his people; he is the YESHUA of his MESSIAH.

a)     Much MSS diversity on this passage. Several manuscript traditions allow for much fewer words in the original.

b)     Possible Translation: The LORD is Yeshua the Messiah for his people. 

c)      Given that smaller text, this is an amazing text to demonstrate the divinity of Christ in the OT.

6. Isa 12:2 “Behold, God is my YESHUA; I will trust, and will not be afraid; for the LORD GOD is my strength and my song, and he has become my YESHUA.”

a)     A clear statement of the divinity of Jesus twice in this passage.

b)     Once, in a declarative sense and once as a worshipful response.

7. Jer 23:3 Truly the hills are a delusion, the orgies on the mountains. Truly the LORD our God is YESHUA of Israel.

a)     Reference in comparison to the paganism of the day that worshipped at high places.

b)     God is worshiped in spirit and in truth (John 4).

c)      The Lord God is Yeshua.  A clear statement of the divinity of Jesus.

8. Hab 3:13 You went out for the YESHUA of your people, for the YESHUA your MESSIAH.  You crushed the head of the house of the wicked, laying him bare from thigh to neck. Selah

a)     Ultimately, Christ will be exalted above all his enemies (Psa 110:1; 1Cor 15:26; Col 2:15)

b)     Here we have not only his name but his office.  In Greek, this would read “Jesus Christ.”

5. References to use when speaking with Jews
1. Psa 14:7 Oh, that YESHUA for Israel would come out of Zion! When the LORD restores the fortunes of his people, let Jacob rejoice, let Israel be glad.

a)     Begin with his name translated “salvation” and ask what this promise is referring to.  It is messianic.

b)     Then, reveal that “salvation” is “Yeshua.” Read it again. 

c)      Yeshua has come out of Israel.  The Jews who believed have rejoiced, although it is not yet universal.

2. Deut 32:15       “But Jeshurun grew fat, and kicked; you grew fat, stout, and sleek; then he forsook God who made him and scoffed at the Rock of his YESHUA.

a)     Jeshurun is a character in a fable or parable that Moses tells to warn Israel not to rebel against the Lord.

b)     It is also prophetic that Israel will reject their Messiah, at least initially.

c)      Psa 118:22

d)     Mat 21:42

3. Psa78:21-22 Therefore, when the LORD heard, he was full of wrath; a fire was kindled against Jacob; his anger rose against Israel, because they did not believe in God and did not trust his YESHUA.

a)     Judgment has come to the house of Israel because of their rejection of Yeshua. 

b)     In fact, one of the main reasons why the tribulation will happen is to drive Israel to repentance on the matter of their faith in Jesus (Jer 30:3-7)

4. Isa 62:11 Behold, the LORD has proclaimed to the end of the earth: Say to the daughter of Zion, “Behold, your YESHUA comes; behold, his reward is with him, and his recompense before him.”

a)     Jesus is coming again to judge the earth.

b)     He brings both reward and punishment for everyone, but specifically in this passage for Jews, based on your treatment of Yeshua.

5. Isa 25:9 It will be said on that day, “Behold, this is our God; we have waited for him, that he might save us. This is the LORD; we have waited for him; let us be glad and rejoice in his YESHUA.”

a)     If you will trust in the promises of God and the work of Yeshua, you will be able to rest and rejoice on the day of his second coming.

b)     Declare that Yeshua is God and believe in his work, and you will be saved (Rom 10:9-10).

6. Application:
1. The name of Jesus, Yeshua or Yehoshua, is a big deal. We need to take this seriously.

a)     John 20:30-31

b)     Acts 4:12

c)      Ex 20:7

2. The second person of the Godhead has always been the one through whom salvation is achieved.  He has been revealing himself to us in that way since the beginning.
3. As we interact with Jews or others who would say that Jesus is not in the OT, we need to know that this is not the case.  Jesus has introduced himself to us by name all throughout the OT.
   

Discussion Guide:

1. Why is it important to know what the name of Jesus means?
2. Read one or two of your favorite “Yeshua” references from the list and talk about them as a family.
3. What can we learn about Jesus from these passages?
4. How can we use some of these passages to help our Jewish friends know and believe in Jesus as their Savior?

Illustrative Passages with “Yeshua”:

Gen 49:18      I wait for your YESHUA, O Lord.

Ex 14:13 And Moses said to the people, “Fear not, stand firm, and see the YESHUA of the LORD, which he will work for you today. For the Egyptians whom you see today, you shall never see again.

Ex 15:2       The LORD is my strength and my song,  and he has become my YESHUA; this is my God, and I will praise him, my father’s God, and I will exalt him.

Deut 32:15       “But Jeshurun grew fat, and kicked; you grew fat, stout, and sleek; then he forsook God who made him and scoffed at the Rock of his YESHUA.

I Sam 2:1 And Hannah prayed and said, “My heart exults in the LORD; my horn is exalted in the LORD. My mouth derides my enemies, because I rejoice in your YESHUA.

2 Sam 22:51       Great YESHUA he brings to his king, and shows steadfast love to his MESSIAH, to David and his offspring forever.”

1 Chron 16:23-25 Sing to the LORD, all the earth! Tell of YESHUA from day to day. Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous works among all the peoples!  For great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised, and he is to be feared above all gods.

2 Chron 20:17 You will not need to fight in this battle. Stand firm, hold your position, and see the YESHUA of the LORD on your behalf, O Judah and Jerusalem.’ Do not be afraid and do not be dismayed. Tomorrow go out against them, and the LORD will be with you.”

Job 13:15-16 Though he slay me, I will hope in him; yet I will argue my ways to his face. This will be my YESHUA, that the godless shall not come before him.

Psa 3:1-3 O LORD, how many are my foes! Many are rising against me; many are saying of my soul, “There is no YESHUA for him in God.” Selah But you, O LORD, are a shield about me, my glory, and the lifter of my head.

Psa 9:13-14 Be gracious to me, O LORD! See my affliction from those who hate me, O you who lift me up from the gates of death, that I may recount all your praises, that in the gates of the daughter of Zion I may rejoice in your YESHUA.

Psa 13:5 But I have trusted in your steadfast love; my heart shall rejoice in your YESHUA.

Psa 14:7 Oh, that YESHUA for Israel would come out of Zion! When the LORD restores the fortunes of his people, let Jacob rejoice, let Israel be glad.

Psa 18:50 Great YESHUA he brings to his king, and shows steadfast love to his MESSIAH, to David and his offspring forever.

Psa 20:5-7 May we shout for joy over your YESHUA, and in the name of our God set up our banners! May the LORD fulfill all your petitions! I know that the LORD saves his MESSIAH; he will answer him from his holy heaven with the saving might of his right hand. Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God

Psa 28:8 The LORD is the strength of his people; he is the YESHUA of his MESSIAH.

Psa 35:9 Then my soul will rejoice in the LORD, exulting in his YESHUA.

Psa 42:5 Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me? Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my YESHUA and my God.

Psa 62:1-2 For God alone my soul waits in silence; from him comes my YESHUA. He alone is my rock and my YESHUA, my fortress; I shall not be greatly shaken.

Psa 62:5-7 For God alone, O my soul, wait in silence, for my hope is from him. He only is my rock and my YESHUA, my fortress; I shall not be shaken. On God rests my YESHUA and my glory; my mighty rock, my refuge is God.

Psa 68:19-20: Blessed be the Lord, who daily bears us up; God is our YESHUA. Selah Our God is a God of YESHUA, and to GOD, the Lord, belong deliverances from death.

Psa 70:4 May all who seek you rejoice and be glad in you! May those who love your YESHUA say evermore, “God is great!”

Psa78:21-22 Therefore, when the LORD heard, he was full of wrath; a fire was kindled against Jacob; his anger rose against Israel, because they did not believe in God and did not trust his Yeshua.

Psa 89:26-29 He shall cry to me, ‘You are my Father, my God, and the Rock of my YESHUA.’ and I will make him the firstborn, the highest of the kings of the earth. My steadfast love I will keep for him forever, and my covenant will stand firm for him. I will establish his offspring forever and his throne as the days of the heavens.

Psa 91:14-16 "Because he holds fast to me in love, I will deliver him; I will protect him, because he knows my name. When he calls to me, I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will rescue him and honor him. With long life I will satisfy him and show him my YESHUA."

Psa 96:1-3 Oh sing to the LORD a new song; sing to the LORD, all the earth! Sing to the LORD, bless his name; tell of his YESHUA from day to day. Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous works among all the peoples!

Psa 98:2-3 The LORD has made known his YESHUA; he has revealed his righteousness in the sight of the nations. He has remembered his steadfast love and faithfulness to the house of Israel. All the ends of the earth have seen the YESHUA of our God.

Psa 118:14-15 The LORD is my strength and my song; he has become my YESHUA. Glad songs of YESHUA are in the tents of the righteous:

Psa 118:20-22 This is the gate of the LORD; the righteous shall enter through it. I thank you that you have answered me and have become my YESHUA. The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone.

Psa 119:123 My eyes long for your YESHUA and for the fulfillment of your righteous promise.

Psa 140:6-7 I say to the LORD, You are my God; give ear to the voice of my pleas for mercy, O LORD! O LORD, my Lord, the strength of my YESHUA, you have covered my head in the day of battle.

Psa 149:4 For the LORD takes pleasure in his people; he adorns the humble with YESHUA.

Isa 12:2 “Behold, God is my YESHUA; I will trust, and will not be afraid; for the LORD GOD is my strength and my song, and he has become my YESHUA.”

Isa 25:9 It will be said on that day, “Behold, this is our God; we have waited for him, that he might save us. This is the LORD; we have waited for him; let us be glad and rejoice in his YESHUA.”

Isa 49:6-10 he says: “It is too light a thing that you should be my servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob and to bring back the preserved of Israel; I will make you as a light for the nations, that my YESHUA may reach to the end of the earth.” Thus says the LORD: “In a time of favor I have answered you; in a day of YESHUA I have helped you; I will keep you and give you as a covenant to the people, to establish the land, to apportion the desolate heritages, Saying to the prisoners, ‘Come out,’  to those who are in darkness, ‘Appear.’ They shall feed along the ways; on all bare heights shall be their pasture; they shall not hunger or thirst, neither scorching wind nor sun shall strike them, for he who has pity on them will lead them, and by springs of water will guide them.

Isa 51:6-8  Lift up your eyes to the heavens, and look at the earth beneath; for the heavens vanish like smoke, the earth will wear out like a garment, and they who dwell in it will die in like manner; but my YESHUA will be forever, and my righteousness will never be dismayed. “Listen to me, you who know righteousness, the people in whose heart is my law; fear not the reproach of man, nor be dismayed at their revilings. For the moth will eat them up like a garment, and the worm will eat them like wool, but my righteousness will be forever, and my YESHUA to all generations.”

Isa 52:7 How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him who brings good news, who publishes peace, who brings good news of happiness, who publishes YESHUA, who says to Zion, “Your God reigns.”

Isa 52:10 The LORD has bared his holy arm before the eyes of all the nations, and all the ends of the earth shall see the YESHUA of our God.

Isa 56:1 Thus says the LORD: “Keep justice, and do righteousness, for soon my YESHUA will come, and my righteousness be revealed.

Isa 59:16-17 He saw that there was no man, and wondered that there was no one to intercede; then his own arm brought him YESHUA, and his righteousness upheld him. He put on righteousness as a breastplate, and a helmet of YESHUA on his head; he put on garments of vengeance for clothing, and wrapped himself in zeal as a cloak.

Isa 62:11 Behold, the LORD has proclaimed to the end of the earth: Say to the daughter of Zion, “Behold, your YESHUA comes; behold, his reward is with him, and his recompense before him.”

Jer 23:3 Truly the hills are a delusion, the orgies on the mountains. Truly the LORD our God is YESHUA of Israel.

Hab 3:13 You went out for the YESHUA of your people, for the YESHUA your MESSIAH.  You crushed the head of the house of the wicked, laying him bare from thigh to neck. Selah