After God revealed that He would send a Redeemer, people received a new hope and anticipation. God said He would ransom their souls, everlasting joy would be on their heads, and sorrow and sighing would flee away. Throughout the ages, the promise of a Redeemer was represented as the Lord of Hosts, the Lord your Maker. When faced with difficulty, trials or oppression, God’s people looked for One Who would come to their aid.
Much is represented by a name. The name of the Redeemer is special.
Adam, the first man, failed in his assignment. Although Adam and Eve were the father and mother of all living, they fell by sin. Adam was not the Redeemer of mankind, but God promised the Redeemer would be from the seed of the woman, (Genesis 3:15; Galatians 4:4; Hebrews 2:14).
Adam and Eve named their first sons Cain and Abel. One was a sinner and murderer and the other pleased God. Seth was their third son. None of them was the Redeemer.
Enoch means dedicated. Enoch was a righteous man who walked with God; and was not, for God took him, Genesis 5:24. Enoch could not save us from our sins.
When God said, “My Spirit shall not always strive with man,” God raised up a righteous man named Noah. Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord and his actions brought about God’s covenant. Noah means rest. God promised rest from that judgment on mankind.
Genesis 8:22 NKJV While the earth remains, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, winter and summer, And day and night shall not cease.
Although Noah’s action saved the human race from extension, he was not God’s promised Redeemer.
God changed his name from Abram to Abraham, because he would be the father of many nations. Abraham was a man of faith that pleased God, but he was not the Redeemer. The Redeemer would come from the seed of Abraham, (Genesis 12:3; Matthew 1:1; Galatians 3:8, 16).
Two nations struggled within the womb of Rebekah. Their names were Jacob and Esau. Esau was a passive man of the fields who was willing to sell his birthright for a bowl of bean soup. Esau was rejected.
From before birth, Jacob was a supplanter. When the twins were being born, Jacob grabbed hold of his brother’s heel. His name represented his appetite to take what belonged to someone else. After he wrestled with God, his name was changed to Israel. Israel means one who prevails. Although he prevailed with God, Jacob was not the Redeemer. The Redeemer would come from his line and from the tribe of Judah, one of his sons, (Genesis 49:10; Revelation 5:5).
Moses was a good name. Pharaoh’s daughter called him Moses because she drew him out of the water. Moses brought Israel out of Egypt’s bondage. God powerfully used Moses, Aaron, and Miriam to redeem His people from Egypt, but Moses was not God’s promised Redeemer.
David was a man after God’s own heart, but he was not the Redeemer. God promised that the Redeemer would sit on the throne of David, (2 Samuel 7:12-13, 16, 25-26; 1 Chronicles 17:11-14, 23-27; 2 Chronicles 21:7).
God told Jeremiah, “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you; Before you were born I sanctified you; I ordained you a prophet to the nations.” (Jeremiah 1:5).
Jeremiah was one of 78 chosen prophets of God. They made around 8,000 predictions of things that would happen. They prophesied that One would come to Redeem men from their sins. They were mightily used by God to call His people back to Him, but they were not the Redeemer.
There are many wonderful names, but only one name is above every name.
Psalm 72:17 NKJV His name shall endure forever; His name shall continue as long as the sun. And men shall be blessed in Him; All nations shall call Him blessed.
His name is an enduring name that will last forever. In Him all people can find salvation and blessing, the favor of God.
Matthew 1:23 NKJV Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel, which is translated, “God with us.”
This text is a reminder of the prophecy of Isaiah about God’s Redeemer, (Isaiah 7:13-15). He is the Promised One that the whole world was looking for. His name shall be called Immanuel.
Matthew 1:21 NKJV And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.
When people saw Him they would know “God is with us.” Read the Gospel account and you will see it repeated, “No one can do these works unless God is with Him.” In other places He was called the Son of God.
The prophets and patriarchs of old looked for One Who would come. He would come from the seed of Abraham, from the tribe of Judah and David’s seed.
Isaiah 9:6 NKJV For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
His name is called Wonderful, because He did so many wonderful works.
His name is called Counselor, because He had every answer. Even the teachers of the Law found His wisdom and counsel to be extra-ordinary.
He was called Mighty God, for no one could do the things that He did unless God was with Him. He is our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus, (Titus 2:10).
His name was called Everlasting Father, because He perfectly revealed the Heavenly Father in everything He said and did. Jesus said His word and works were from the Father. He said, “Whoever sees me has seen the Father.” Everlasting Father describes a King and Father that provides and protects His people.
When the angels announced His arrival they said, “Peace on earth because His name was called Prince of Peace. He is our peace because He has reconciled everyone to God through His cross, (Ephesians 2:14-16).
Isaiah 9:7 NKJV Of the increase of His government and peace there will be no end, upon the throne of David and over His kingdom, to order it and establish it with judgment and justice from that time forward, even forever. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this.
What is His name?
The Angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph and told him to give the baby a special name.
Matthew 1:21 NKJV And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.”
The name of Jesus is God’s seal of salvation. It means “Jehovah saves.” By that Name Jesus, we have access to God, the Father. By the Name of Jesus, we may be delivered from our sin.
Acts 4:12 NKJV Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.
Jesus is the only name through which the sinner can approach God the Father. In the name of Jesus we have access to the Father to present our needs. Jesus said, “Whatever you ask the Father in My name He will give you.” (John 16:23; 15:16)
There have been many good names, but only one name gives us access to God the Father.
Only Jesus can save us from our sins. Only Jesus’ blood can cleanse us from our sins. Jesus is our Savior, Healer, and Redeemer. His blood was shed on the cross of Calvary to provide our salvation and cleansing. Through Jesus Christ we have hope of eternal life in heaven.
