Treasures New and Old

Calling on the Name of the Lord: Yeshua

• Abraham called on the name of the Lord (Genesis 12:8; 13:4).
• The Lord proclaimed His own name before Moses (Exodus 33:19; 34:5).
• Israel was warned against profaning the name of the Lord (Leviticus 18:21; 22:2, 32).
• The name of the Lord was not to be taken in vain (Exodus 20:7; Deuteronomy 5:11).
• The priests of Israel were to minister in the name of the Lord (Deuteronomy 18:5; 21:5).
• The name of God is called “wonderful” in Isaiah 9:6.
• To call on the name of the Lord was to worship Him as God (Genesis 21:33; 26:25).

So – what is His Name?

In this series of articles, I want to explore the various names of the Lord. When we pray and call upon His name, it is good to know on whom we are calling. Does that mean that there are many gods? NO! It does mean that He has many names, and that each has been given to us so that we can pray more specifically and use one of the many characteristics that is embodied in our God. Let’s look back at the Old Testament again this month as we close this set of articles:

Yeshua – Salvation (Joshua, Jesus)

There are 164 occurrences in 158 verses that use the word yeshua which means “salvation.” Let’s look at first use:

Genesis 49:18: “I have waited for thy salvation, O LORD.”

This verse is buried between the prophetic predictions/blessing of Jacob as he blesses his twelve sons at the end of his life. I’ve looked at commentaries and most agree that it is almost out of place (Wesley, Gen 49:18; Gill, Gen 49:18; & MHCC, Gen 49:13-18) as it does not fit Dan’s pronouncement (verses 16-18) nor Gad’s pronouncement (verse 19). It is almost like Jacob has moved through the various boys and, after Dan’s “blessing”, he, in a plea for help for all his sons, stops the blessings, looks to God, and proclaims his desire for God’s salvation; for surely, no salvation can come from his sons.

English words used in King James Version of yeshua include: salvation (translated the most – approx. 83%), help, deliverance, health, save, saving, and welfare (Yeshuah: Strong’s H3444; yeshua: Strong’s H3442). Here are a few more verses:

• Exodus 15:2: “The LORD is my strength and song, and he is become my salvation [my yeshua]: he is my God, and I will prepare him a habitation; my father’s God, and I will exalt him.”

• 1 Samuel 2:1: “And Hannah prayed, and said, My heart rejoiceth in the LORD, mine horn is exalted in the LORD: my mouth is enlarged over mine enemies; because I rejoice in thy salvation.”
  

• 2 Samuel 22:3: “The God of my rock; in him will I trust: he is my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my high tower, and my refuge, my saviour; thou savest me from violence.”
  

• 2 Samuel 22:36: “Thou hast also given me the shield of thy salvation: and thy gentleness hath made me great.”
  

• 2 Samuel 22:47: “The LORD liveth; and blessed be my rock; and exalted be the God of the rock of my salvation.”
  

• 2 Chronicles 20:17: “Ye shall not need to fight in this battle: set yourselves, stand ye still, and see the salvation of the LORD with you, O Judah and Jerusalem: fear not, nor be dismayed; tomorrow go out against them: for the LORD will be with you.”
  

• Psalm 13:5: “But I have trusted in thy mercy; my heart shall rejoice in thy salvation.”
  

• Psalm 18:2: “The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower.”
  

• Psalm 27:1: “A Psalm of David. The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?”
  

• Psalm 35:3: “Draw out also the spear, and stop the way against them that persecute me: say unto my soul, I am thy salvation.”
  

• Isaiah 12:2: “Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and not be afraid: for the LORD JEHOVAH is my strength and my song; he also is become my salvation.”
  

• Isaiah 12:3: “Therefore with joy shall ye draw water out of the wells of salvation.”
  

I could have named many more verses, but these give you a flavor. Salvation can be personal, national, from enemies, from depression and stress, eternal, and much more. Psalms and Isaiah are filled with verses regarding salvation.

Joshua is an extended Hebrew word changing yeshua to yehoshua. It is a contraction of two Hebrew words: Jehovah and yeshua (or yasha) – literally “Jehovah-Saved” (Strong’s H3091). Jesus is the Greek name for Joshua (Strong’s G2424). If we were to address Jesus with His Hebrew names, we might easily call Him Joshua or Yeshua.

When we reflect on who Jesus is, we see many names and/or titles in the Scripture. Take this verse:

Isaiah 7:14 (emphasis added): “Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.” (Which is roughly actually two Hebrews words concatenated together (Immanu- with us) and (El – God): God With Us. How would you like to have a son called “God With Us?”)

How about this verse:

Isaiah 9:6 (emphasis added): “For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, the mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.”

Jesus (or shall I say Joshua or Yeshua) has many names as clearly indicated by the Bible.

I rest in the many names of God and Jesus. Each has a specific meaning and reveals a characteristic of God. Yeshua is a most important one for it reveals why He came in the form of a man – to save us from our sins. To redeem mankind.

Some related names: The Living Water, The Light of the World, The Bread of Life, The Great Shepherd, and many more.

I really like to put two verses together which are:

Isaiah 12:3: “Therefore with joy shall ye draw water out of the wells of [Yeshua] salvation.” John 4:10: “Jesus answered and said unto her, If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee, Give me to drink, thou wouldest have asked of him, and he would have given thee living water.”

Jesus is the living water, He is Salvation. I can go to Him and draw joy out of the wells of salvation, out of Jesus!

In the future when you think of Jesus, think of His Hebrew name – Yeshua. When you think of His Hebrew name, think of its meaning – salvation. When you think of salvation – think of Jesus! Draw as much joy from the living waters that you can from Yeshua!

Maranatha Church!

Until He returns:

May God bless you all!

Bro. Joe

References

Henry, M. Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary on the Whole Bible. Meyers, R. (2005). e-Sword. [computer software] . Franklin, TN: Equipping Ministries Foundation. (Original work published 1706)

Gill, Dr. J. John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible. Meyers, R. (2005). e-Sword. [computer software] . Franklin, TN: Equipping Ministries Foundation. (Original work published 1746-1763)

Strong, J. Strong's Hebrew and Greek Dictionaries. Meyers, R. (2005). e-Sword. [computer software] . Franklin, TN: Equipping Ministries Foundation. (Original work published 1539)

Wesley, J. John Wesley’s Explanatory Notes on the Whole Bible. Meyers, R. (2005). e-Sword. [computer software] . Franklin, TN: Equipping Ministries Foundation. (Original work published 1755)

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