Readers of the Old Testament will notice that the significance of a character is also shared by the character's name. Adam, Eve, Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Moses, Solomon, and many other names have some kind of verb or noun that connects them to their origin, attitude, or purpose.
And sometimes the character's name is announced. in front birth. In such cases, announcing a character's name in advance can be especially interesting to readers because it builds expectations about who that character will be and what he or she will do.
Salvation came to Mary and Joseph through the birth of this child, so they decided to name him Joshua.
When the virgin Mary was in Nazareth, the angel Gabriel revealed to her that she would have a son and that this son would be the promised King who would rule from the throne of David (Luke 1:30-33). She will give birth to the Messiah.
Gabriel said to her, “You should call his name Jesus” (Luke 1:31). He said the same to Joseph: “She will give birth to a son, and you will call his name Jesus” (Matthew 1:21). What is interesting about Joseph's case is that Gabriel explains his name: “You shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins” (1:21).
The angel not only made an announcement; instruction.
Joseph and Mary were unable to name their child whatever they wanted. The son would be given a name related to his mission. naming a child Jesus That would be an act of obedience on their part.
The Greek name “Jesus” is equivalent to the Hebrew name “Joshua.” And the name Joshua was a familiar name to readers of the Old Testament. The book called Joshua is named after the ancient successor of Moses. Joshua led the Israelites across the Jordan River and attempted to enter the conquered land into the Promised Land. Because of Joshua's leadership and faithfulness, the Lord gave the Israelites victory and an inheritance.
Jesus, or Joshua, means “Yahweh is salvation.”
In the Old Testament, deliverance and salvation took many forms. Individuals like the psalmist can celebrate God's deliverance from a dangerous disease. The people may receive deliverance from foreign enemies such as the Philistines and Amalekites. Repentant sinners can be saved from God's discipline for their sins.
Why was Jesus named “Yahweh is Salvation”? Because he achieves the greatest and most far-reaching liberation possible. He “will save his people” from their sins” (Matthew 1:21).
Jesus is truly the great Joshua because he brought greater salvation. Salvation came to Mary and Joseph through the birth of this child, so they decided to name him Joshua. Salvation had a name.
Hear the angel say, “Call his name Joshua.” The name most easily connects us to the Old Testament background. Jesus did not come simply to promise deliverance, maintain hope for deliverance, or point us to other sources of deliverance. He came to be our salvation. His name means “Yahweh is salvation” and he is the salvation we need.
Because we need to be saved from sin, we need a new Joshua, the one the angel called “Jesus” who will lead God's people into the kingdom of eternal life.
This essay is first published Dr. Mitchell Chase's Substack Biblical theology.
