Joshua, Yehoshua, Yeshua.

We're currently reading the book of Joshua, and my thoughts keep circling back to the meaning of his name—and the striking picture it paints of Jesus (Yeshua).



It’s unfortunate that Bible translators chose to translate names. Nouns should have remained in their original form to preserve their meaning and place. Take Joshua, for instance. His Hebrew name is Yehoshua, a combination of Yeho (Yahweh) and Shua (salvation), meaning “Jehovah saves.”


And that was his mission—to lead a people who had been under the law, across a barrier, into the promise of God (Joshua 1:2-3). But this promise wasn’t new. It had been spoken long before, when God revealed Himself as Jehovah Jireh (Genesis 22:14). Notice the wording:  


"So Abraham called that place The Lord Will Provide. And to this day it is said, 'On the mountain of the Lord it will be provided.’"  


Did you catch that? "Will provide" —not "has provided." This wasn’t about the ram caught in a thicket. It pointed forward to the I AM who would be caught and given a thick crown of thorns (John 8:58, Matthew 27:29). More to it, it's on this same hill that Christ was later crucified.


Fast forward, and we see another Yehoshua— Yeshua, Jesus —who is both the provision (Jireh) and the salvation (Shua). His very name declares His mission:  

"You are to give him the name Yeshua, because(meaning) he will save his people from their SINS.” (Matthew 1:21)  


The book of Joshua is not just history—it’s His story. Joshua is a foreshadowing of Jesus. The Israelites represent us. The land of Canaan represents God’s promise —but not all who received the promise possessed it (Hebrews 4:2).


That should make us pause. Will you be among those who heard but never entered, or among those who fully received what was promised? You can learn how to enter and possess the promise as you study this book.


God reveals His nature through His names—Jehovah Jireh (Provider), Jehovah Rapha (Healer), Jehovah Nissi (Banner of Victory) and so many more. I have a separate write-up on the names of God and how Jesus AKA Yehoshuah, fits into the list. Link will be shared later once my editors are done with it.


When you read Scripture, think about what God is revealing about Himself in each name.  


Ultimately, Jesus came to distance you from SIN (Egypt) and deliver you into the presence of God (Canaan). Not Raila. 🤦 Jesus. If you follow and obey Him, you won’t just hear about the Kingdom of God—you’ll dwell in it. John 14:23 puts it well and Revelation 21 clarifies it. He will come and dwell among us. "And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, ‘Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God.’"


Selah.

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