Eighteen years ago, a prominent and highly respected Jewish Rabbi named Yitzhak Kaduri wrote a controversial note he instructed his followers to open one year after his death. He stated that the name of the Jewish Messiah as revealed to him would be written in a simple code. He died in 2006 at the age of 108 and his note was breathlessly opened one year later in 2007. In it, the first letters of the words in his message spelled out the name Yehoshua! Yehoshua, or Yeshua, or Joshua in Hebrew is translated as Iesous (Greek) or in English, Jesus. It was not surprising that this controversial revelation startled orthodox Judaism and thus has been largely suppressed ever since.
The likely source of the aging Rabbi’s insight was the prophecy of Zechariah. In Zechariah 3:8 and 6:12, reference is given to a Messianic title-the “BRANCH“, one who is God’s servant that will remove sin in one day and build the millennial temple. That this is a Messianic title is acknowledged by nearly all Hebrew translations by capitalizing this word. In Zechariah’s presence was a priest named Joshua. An angel of the Lord said this to Joshua: “Hear, O Joshua, the high priest, you and your companions who sit before you, for they are a wonderous sign; for behold, I am bringing forth My Servant the BRANCH.” (Zechariah 3:8). Then, in chapter 6, we read this remarkable passage: “Take the silver and gold, make an elaborate crown, and put it on the head of Joshua the son of Jehozadak, the high priest. Then speak to him saying, ‘thus says the Lord of hosts, saying: behold, the man whose name is the BRANCH! From His place He shall branch out and build the temple of the Lord.‘ “ (Zechariah 6:11-12). (NKJV). Note: The high priest, Joshua, has the name of the Branch (Messiah). This is clear Old Testament prophecy foretelling the name of our Messiah-Yeshua, Jesus.
The old sage Rabbi Kaduri was right on. Prophecy tells us a day is coming when all Israel will acknowledge that name above all names-Jesus.
Maranatha, Jim