First Salvation – The Passover Person
In two earlier blogs[1] we looked at the first use of two words, “love” and “redeem,”[2] in the Hebrew Bible. We discovered both were used in significant biblical events which also were prophetic in nature, pointing to both a future event and person.
Now we turn our attention to a third word, salvation, which is really a culmination of the first two words. Because “salvation” in the Bible can refer to a physical “saving” or rescue, and also a spiritual “saving” of a human soul, I expected that its first use (as was the case with love and redeem) would be historical, pointing to both a future prophetic event and a person.
I was not disappointed. The first use of this word not only directs us to a person, it declares Him as well.
The Hebrew word for salvation[3] is first used in the same narrative we examined in the previous blog, “First Redeemed – the Passover Result.” We read of Jacob gathering his sons before he died and giving a prophetic oracle of what would befall them “in the days to come.”[4] In Genesis 49:18, Jacob prophesies about his son Dan. He states: “For your salvation I wait, O LORD.”
Jacob was envisioning a future physical deliverance by the LORD from the enemies who would rise against his descendants. Interestingly, there would be an even greater deliverance needed because of spiritual idolatry that would befall Israel. Deliverance from iniquity is mankind’s greatest spiritual need.
The word salvation – yeshua in Hebrew – often described what God would do. Yeshua also describes who He is and how He would one day “become salvation.” A phrase found three times in the Hebrew Scriptures holds something of great interest in each place it appears. The phrase is this:
The Lord is my strength and song,
And He has become my salvation.
The Hebrew Bible contains the same content as the Old Testament in the Bible you may use. The Hebrew Bible is referred to as the Tanakh, an acronym from the first letters of the Hebrew words that show how the book is divided: the Torah (Law); the Nevi’im (Prophets); and the Ketuvim (Writings).[5]
Knowing this distinction, you are able to appreciate that this phrase appears only once in each section. First in the Law – Exodus 15:2; second in the Prophets – Isaiah 12:2; and third in the Writings – Psalm 118:14.
So, how do the word “salvation” and the above thrice-repeated phrase point to a future event and person?
In the New Testament Book of Matthew, we are told of an angelic visit to Joseph, the earthly stepfather of Jesus. This messenger informs him of the coming miraculous birth of a son to his wife Mary, instructing Joseph what to do. Scripture reads:
“An angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, ‘Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife; for the Child who has been conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. She will bear a Son; and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.’”
Now all this took place to fulfill what was spoken by the Lord through the prophet: ‘Behold, the virgin shall be with child and shall bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel,’ which translated means, ‘God with us’” (Matthew 1:21-23 [NASB]).
The angel told Joseph he must name this son born to the virgin Mary,“Yeshua” (“Salvation”), because He would “save His people from their sins.” The angel also said this son would be called “God with us” (Immanuel).
Some 3,700 years ago, back in Genesis 49 where yeshua is first found in Scripture, Jacob was waiting for salvation from the LORD.
Almost 2,000 years ago in the center of Jerusalem, Simon Peter, a disciple of Yeshua said to the rulers, elders, and scribes, “. . . And there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men by which we must be saved.” [6]
What about you? Are you waiting for salvation? Jacob was anticipating the One who was to be born in Bethlehem.[7] But you need not wait any longer for He has come.
Written by Jeff, LIFE Staff
Which do you think will be easier: finding a cure for the novel coronavirus or bringing reconciliation between races and peace on earth?
As tough as curing physical diseases may be, our sinful natures prove the more difficult challenge. Hatred, envy, strife, lust, coveting, and yes, racism, easily flow from our innate selfishness and pride.
Batman. Spiderman. Superman. The Avengers. The world longs for a superhero to set things right. But those are fictional characters, each with their own flaws and foibles.
The salvation for which our hearts yearn – really being freed from our burden of guilt, shame, and fear of death – is what Yeshua came to provide. “He will save His people from their sins.”
If you’re looking for a deliverer, He’s as close as your next prayer. If you would like help on your spiritual quest, please contact us at office@lifeinmessiah.org or www.insearchofshalom.com.
Footnotes:
[1] https://lifeinmessiah.org/blog/first-love-the-passover-puzzle;
https://lifeinmessiah.org/blog/first-redeemed-the-passover-result
[2] Ahava (love) – Genesis 22:2; Goel (redeem) – Genesis 48:16.
[3] Yeshua.
[4] Genesis chapter 49; “days to come” is better understood as “in the end days.”
[5] Torah – more “instruction” than “Law,” the books of Moses are also known as the Pentateuch; Nevi’im – the middle section begins with Joshua, Judges, and Kings 1&2, and includes all the major and most minor prophets; and the Ketuvim – the final Writings compilation includes the Wisdom literature, plus Ruth, Esther, Daniel, Ezra, and Nehemiah, ending with Chronicles 1&2.
[6] New Testament Book of Acts 4:12.
[7] Micah 5:2; Matthew 2:1-6.