The EXEGETIST: A Library Of Independent Political Thought. By: Jack H. Dawsey

What’s In A Name?

By: Jack Dawsey

“And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.”-Matthew1:21.

The name, Jesus, was given to our Lord because of the work He must and shall perform.  In other words, “He SHALL save his people…”  Note: The Scripture doesn’t say that Jesus will “attempt” to save his people, or that he will “try” to save, or that he will “make a way” to save, or that he will be a “mentor” to them that are saved, or he saves “if allowed” to save, or he “begs” sinners to “let” him save.  Rather, the Scripture is clear Jesus “SHALL SAVE…”  

The word shall is an auxiliary verb, meaning determination or finality of promise.  It has a fixed and binding meaning (hence; the term shall is used extensively in legal documents).  The word cannot and must not be augmented.

In the original Hebrew language (and among the ancient Jews), the name Jesus means savior.  The word “savior” has its root in the original “Oshea” (see 13^th Chapter of the Book of Numbers).  There, you’ll discover that Moses prefixed the first syllable of Jehovah’s name, “Jeh” to Oshea changing it to Jehoshea: meaning Divine Savior or Redeemer.  The name was soon contracted to Joshua because none would be so presumptuous to be called by Jehovah’s title. 

As the name Joshua passed through the Greek language, (and subsequent tongues), it was shorten to Je’zes or Jesus, the savior.   As Joshua was a “type” of savior, Jesus is the real savior.  The type was replaced with the antitype.  As Joshua was a captain of ancient Israel, Jesus is the real captain of His people, the believer.  Jesus is Divine because He is the one, true Jehoshea, chosen of God.

Let us notice the circumstances in the giving of the name Jehoshea (Gk. Ie’sous or je’zes) to the savior.  It was neither Mary nor Joseph that provided the name to their newborn son.  It was given by God Himself.  Not once but twice did God reveal this precious name.  He gave it first in a message to Mary and afterwards to Joseph.  It is remarkable that his name was affixed by the angels BEFORE he was conceived in the womb of Mary.  Obviously, the angels knew Jehoshea or ‘Jesus’ by that name in heaven, and continued to call him Jesus while He was formed in the womb.  Therefore, what’s in a name, particularly the name Jesus?

First, I suggest it reveals the character of the Son of God.  It shows the high esteem of His Father.  Consider this with respect to the naming of Jesus.  If the angels of God came to earth to do God’s bidding, isn’t that proof-positive of the Father’s esteem?  Isn’t it sufficient proof that the mind of God dwells in his beloved Son, and that He delights in Him with the highest pleasure much like a proud father would dote over his earthly son?

Consider this with respect to Jesus’ baptism.  The Father said “This is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased.”  In other places, the Father calls Jesus, “Mine Elect” or the “Elect” or “My beloved in whom my soul delights.”  Therefore, we have sufficient reason to believe the Father esteems His Son with such high regard due to the “finality” in the triumphant work He assigned him in redemption.  In redemption, Jesus unites the unholy with the holy, no small feat.  Nothing is more pleasing to Jehovah Father than to see His Darling Son manifest the outpouring of the Father’s love to sinners.  There is no greater love.  He said it best:  Greater love hath no man than this: that a man lay down his life for his friends…

But the root, Jehoshea, says something else.  It shows that God would have us regard Jesus as the only savior and redeemer.  Unlike modern theology taught in the schools of academia where Jesus is portrayed as a good man, or a prophet, the original manuscript identifies Jesus as “savior.”  The apostle’s writings are clear too:  “Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we MUST be saved.” -Acts-4:12.

The name Joshua or Jehoshea is descriptive of God’s saving nature.  As Joshua replaced Moses, Jesus replaced all “types” and “shadows” and SAVED. 

He accomplished a work that neither Moses nor Oshea nor any could do because it required propitiation.  Propitiation is a distinctive work of atonement that none but Jesus was qualified to do.  He came to earth not to do his own will but the will of him that sent him, namely “to save.” By the way, Jesus either accomplished His Father’s will or He didn’t.  If He didn’t accomplish, then he’s an imposter.  On the other hand, if he redeemed and saved as the Scripture declares, he is the captain of salvation.  In summary, the name Jesus is ordained and affixed by his heavenly Father; hence, the reason his name is precious in the heart of believers.

In closing, here’s a “what-if” quiz for you.  What if it was mandated for you to abandon every name in your family tree, but one, which would you lay aside?  What if you were required to renounce every name among your relatives, including kings, queens and priests, but one, whom would you lay aside?  The language of the poet suits many.

“Jesus, thou art the sinner’s friend,

 As such I look to Thee,

Now in the bowels of thy love,

 O Lord, remember me.”

“Remember thy pure word of grace,

Remember Calvary,

Remember all thy dying groans,

 And then remember me.”

“Thou wondrous advocate with God,

 I yield myself to thee,

While thou art sitting on thy throne,

O Lord, remember me.”

“I own I’m guilty, own I’m vile,

Yet salvation’s free,

Then in thy all abounding grace,

O Lord, remember me.”

“Howe’er forsaken or distressed,

Howe’er oppressed I be,

Howe’er afflicted here on earth,

Do thou remember me.”

“And when I close my eyes in death,

And creature helps all flee,

Then, O’ my great Redeemer God,

I pray remember me.” -Unknown.

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