What's In A Name?

Bible Book: Isaiah 9 : 6

Subject: Christmas; Jesus, Name of; Immanuel

Introduction

There is a line in Act 2, Scene 2 of William Shakespeare’s tragic play “Romeo and Juliet” when Juliet says, “What’s in a name? That which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet.”

The story behind this statement is that Romeo Montague and Juliet Capulet have met and fallen in love. As members of two warring families, their relationship is doomed from the start. In the line that I’ve mentioned, Juliet tells Romeo that a name is an artificial and meaningless thing, and that she loves the person who is called “Montague,” not the Montague name and not the Montague family. Romeo, out of his passion for Juliet, rejects his family name and vows, as Juliet had asked, to “deny (his) father and refuse (his) name.” This one short line encapsulates the central struggle and tragedy of the play.

Juliet said that the person is more important than the name. But when it comes to the personalities and individuals in the scripture, I do not believe that Juliet’s opinion holds true, that “a rose by any other name would smell as sweet.” The names in the Word of God are carefully and deliberately connected to the personality of the person who bears the name.

When I was born, my parents (who are here this morning) named me after my dad and my uncle. My uncle was serving in the army in Vietnam when I was born, and his middle name became my middle name. My middle name (which will remain a secret for security reasons) means “well born.” I was given my dad’s middle name to be my first name. My first name “David,” which is also the Biblical Hebrew name “Dăv-id,” means “beloved.”

Names are important, aren’t they? And we may not emphasize it as they did in Bible times, but the meanings of names can also be important. The Anya family has been worshipping with us recently. And Sister Anya, I hope you don’ mind me sharing this, but their two precious daughters are named Chinonye and Ononye. And Sister Anya told me as she was going out last Sunday morning that Chinonye’s name means “God is with me.”

I heard recently that a lady was upset with me because she thought that I didn’t know her name after I had been here for over a year and a half. Well, as it happens, I did know her name, but that’s not always the case. I do the best that I can with close to 200 names each week, but sometimes I get it mixed up. But I read a story that made me feel a little better about that occasional shortcoming…

When the 1960s ended, San Francisco’s Haight-Ashbury district reverted to high rent, and many of the so-called “hippies” moved down the coast to Santa Cruz. They had children and got married, too, though in no particular sequence. But they didn’t name their children Melissa or Brett. People in the mountains around Santa Cruz grew accustomed to their children playing Frisbee with little Time Warp or Spring Fever. And eventually Moonbeam, Earth, Love and Precious Promise all ended up in public school

That’s when the kindergarten teachers first met Fruit Stand. Every fall, according to tradition, parents bravely apply name tags to their children, kiss them good-bye and send them off to school on the bus. So it was for Fruit Stand. The teachers thought the boy’s name was odd, but they tried to make the best of it.

“Would you like to play with the blocks, Fruit Stand?” they offered. And later, “Fruit Stand, how about a snack?” He accepted hesitantly. By the end of the day, his name didn’t seem much odder than Heather’s or Sun Ray’s.

At dismissal time, the teachers led the children out to the buses. “Fruit Stand, do you know which one is your bus?”

He didn’t answer. That wasn’t strange. He hadn’t answered them all day. Lots of children are shy on the first day of school. It didn’t matter. The teachers had instructed the parents to write the location for their children’s bus stops on the reverse side of their name tags. The teacher simply turned over the tag. There, neatly printed, was the word “Anthony.”

Submitted to the Reader’s Digest by Luanne Oleas in Salinas, California – found at…

(http://www.sermonillustrations.com/a-z/n/name.htm)

Our foundational text for today is Isaiah 9:6, and in that verse Isaiah said, “For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.”

Because it mentions the coming Messiah in terms of the birth of a child, this text is often associated with the Christmas account. The names in this verse are not the first names that we find in the book of Isaiah. In fact, in this section of Isaiah, we have the record of several unique and significant names. And when we look at the individual and collective meanings of these names, we are able to better understand the historical and prophetical context of Isaiah 9:6.

First…

I. Let’s Think About The Names That Point Us To The Situation

(Isaiah 8:18) Behold, I and the children whom the LORD hath given me are for signs and for wonders in Israel from the LORD of hosts, which dwelleth in mount Zion.

A. We Find The Name Of A Prophet – Isaiah (Jehovah Is Salvation)

This Name Reminds Us That God Had A Message

(Isaiah 7:3) Then said the LORD unto Isaiah, Go forth now to meet Ahaz, thou, and Shearjashub thy son, at the end of the conduit of the upper pool in the highway of the fuller's field;

1. His Name Is A Familiar Name

The International Standard Bible Encyclopaedia states…

Of all Israel’s celebrated prophets, Isaiah is the king. The writings which bear his name are among the profoundest in all literature. One great theme – salvation by faith – stamps them all. Isaiah is the Paul of the Old Testament.

The revised edition of the International Standard Bible Encyclopedia says…

Of all the prophets of Israel, Isaiah stands out as incomparably the greatest. Writing with majestic grandeur, this gifted eighth-century B.C. author exalts the grace of God in salvation. For this, if for no other reason, he has well been called “the evangelical prophet.”

2. His Name Is A Foreshadowing Name

The International Standard Bible Encyclopaedia says…

His name was symbolic of his message. Like “Joshua,” it means “Yahweh saves,” or “Yahweh is salvation,” or “salvation of Yahweh.”

Fausset’s Bible Dictionary says of this name Isaiah that it is…

Hebrew “the salvation of Jehovah,” his favorite expression, which means the same as the name “Jesus”, who is the grand subject of his prophecies, and in whom in the New Testament the name Jehovah merges, being never found in Scripture after the Old Testament.

B. We Find The Name Of A Prophecy – Shearjashub (A Remnant Will Return)

This Name Reminds Us That God Had Mercy

While Isaiah is one of the most well-known names in the scripture, Shearjashub is one of the most obscure, being mentioned only this once…

(Isaiah 7:3) Then said the LORD unto Isaiah, Go forth now to meet Ahaz, thou, and Shearjashub thy son, at the end of the conduit of the upper pool in the highway of the fuller's field;

Cf. (Isaiah 10:21) The remnant shall return, even the remnant of Jacob, unto the mighty God.

1. His Name Points To The Coming Captivity

This name means “a remnant will return.” If there is a returning, then they had to go somewhere. Where were they going? They went to Babylon…

2 Chronicles 36:15-21

Cf. (Psalms 137:1-4) By the rivers of Babylon, there we sat down, yea, we wept, when we remembered Zion. {2} We hanged our harps upon the willows in the midst thereof. {3} For there they that carried us away captive required of us a song; and they that wasted us required of us mirth, saying, Sing us one of the songs of Zion. {4} How shall we sing the Lord's song in a strange land?

2. His Name Points To The Returning Remnant

Shear-jashub – Hebrew 7610. She'ar Yashuwb, sheh-awr' yaw-shoob'; from H7605 (the remainder) and H7725 (to come back); a remnant will return; Shear-Jashub, the symbolical name of one of Isaiah’s sons.

2 Chronicles 36:22-23

The Barnes’ Notes Commentary says…

The name was a remembrancer given by him as a prophet, perhaps, some time before this, that the nation was not to be wholly annihilated – a truth which Isaiah everywhere keeps before them in his prophecies; compare the note at Isaiah 6:13. “Why” Shear-jashub accompanied Isaiah now is not recorded. It might be as a pledge to Ahaz of the purpose of the Lord, that the people should not be destroyed. Ahaz may have been apprised of the reason why the name was given, and his presence might serve to mitigate his fears.

Warren Wiersbe wrote…

Shear-jasub – This name means “A remnant shall return,” and the return of the Jewish remnant to their land is a major theme in these chapters (10:20-22; 11:11-12,16). When Assyria conquered the Northern Kingdom of Israel (Ephraim), the nation was never restored but became what we know as Samaria. After the Babylonian captivity, the people of Judah were given another chance to establish themselves in the land, and through them the Lord brought the Messiah into the world.

C. We Find The Name Of A Promise – Immanuel (God With Us)

This Name Reminds Us That God Had A Man

(Isaiah 7:10-16) Moreover the LORD spake again unto Ahaz, saying, {11} Ask thee a sign of the LORD thy God; ask it either in the depth, or in the height above. {12} But Ahaz said, I will not ask, neither will I tempt the LORD. {13} And he said, Hear ye now, O house of David; Is it a small thing for you to weary men, but will ye weary my God also? {14} Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel. {15} Butter and honey shall he eat, that he may know to refuse the evil, and choose the good. {16} For before the child shall know to refuse the evil, and choose the good, the land that thou abhorrest shall be forsaken of both her kings.

Immanuel – Hebrew 6005. ‘Immanuw’el, im-maw-noo-ale’; from H5973 and H410 with suff. pron. ins.; with us (is) God; Immanuel, a typological name of Isaiah’s son. The name is mentioned again in Isaiah 8:8.

1. This Name Pointed To A Current Promise For The House Of David

Warren Wiersbe wrote…

This “sign” had an immediate significance to Ahaz and the people of Judah. A woman who was then a virgin would get married, conceive, and bear a son whose name would be “Immanuel.” The son would be a reminder that God was with His people and would care for them. It is likely that this virgin was Isaiah’s second wife – his first wife having died after Shear-jasub was born – and that Isaiah’s second son was named both “Immanuel” and “Maher-shalal-hash-baz” (8:1-4; note vv. 8 and 10).

2. This Name Pointed To A Coming Promise For The House Of David

Cf. (Matthew 1:22-23) Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, {23} Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.

D. We Find The Name Of A Problem – Mahershalalhashbaz (Quick To Plunder, Swift To The Spoil)

This Name Reminds Us That God Had A Malice

(Isaiah 8:1-3) Moreover the LORD said unto me, Take thee a great roll, and write in it with a man's pen concerning Mahershalalhashbaz. {2} And I took unto me faithful witnesses to record, Uriah the priest, and Zechariah the son of Jeberechiah. {3} And I went unto the prophetess; and she conceived, and bare a son. Then said the LORD to me, Call his name Mahershalalhashbaz.

The son himself was not a problem, but…

1. The Dimensions Of This Name Represents A Problem

This is not only the longest name in all the Bible, but it is actually the longest word in our English Bible. I thought it was rather humorous that when the Lord told Isaiah to write concerning this name with a pen on a scroll, he sought help from two other men!

2. The Definition Of This Name Represents A Problem

Maher-shalal-hash-baz – Hebrew 4122. Maher Shalal Chash Baz; from H4118 and H7998 and H2363 and H957; hasting (is he [the enemy] to the) spoil, swift (to the) prey; the symbolical name of the son of Isaiah.

Warren Wiersbe said…

Isaiah married the virgin (from 7:14), and the legal documents were duly witnessed and sealed. He even announced that their first child would be a son and his name would be Maher-shalal-hash-baz, which means “quick to plunder, swift to the spoil.” Since Isaiah’s sons were signs to the nation (8:18), this name was significant. It spoke of future judgment when Assyria would conquer Syria and invade both Israel and Judah, and when Babylon would take Judah into exile. A child would start speaking meaningful sentences about the age of two. In 732 B.C., about two years after Isaiah’s son was born, both Pekah and Rezin were dead (7:1), and Assyria had conquered Syria and begun to invade Israel (2 Kings 15:29). The army was “quick to plunder and swift to take the spoil.”

In God’s eyes, the two threatening kings were nothing but “two smoldering stubs of firewood” (7:4, NIV) who would be off the scene very soon, and they both died two years later. Furthermore, within sixty-five years, Ephraim (Israel, the Northern Kingdom) would be gone forever. Isaiah spoke this prophecy in the year 734 B.C. Assyria defeated Syria in 732 B.C. and invaded Israel in 722 B.C. They deported many of the Jews and assimilated the rest by introducing Gentiles into the land. By 669 B.C. (sixty-five years later), the nation no longer existed.

Concerning the names of Isaiah’s two sons, the McClintock and Strong Encyclopedia says…

Two of his sons are mentioned, Shear-jashub and Maher-shalal-hashbaz. These significant names, which he gave to his sons, prove how much Isaiah lived in his vocation. He did not consider his children as belonging merely to himself, but rendered them living admonitions to the people. In their names were contained the two chief points of his prophetic utterances: one recalled to mind the severe and inevitable judgment wherewith the Lord was about to visit the world, and especially his people; the other, which signifies “The remnant shall return,” pointed out the mercy with which the Lord would receive the elect, and with which, in the midst of apparent destruction, he would take care to preserve his people and his kingdom.

This fourth name, Mahershalalhashbaz, points us to the darkness of the coming Assyrian invasion. And that is the nature of the final word of chapter 8.

(Isaiah 8:22) And they shall look unto the earth; and behold trouble and darkness, dimness of anguish; and they shall be driven to darkness.

“Nevertheless,” verse 1 of chapter 9 says…

There is One coming Who will bring an end to the sorrow (9:2-3), and the slavery (9:4), and the soldiering (9:5). As it says in Isaiah 2:4…

(Isaiah 2:4) And he shall judge among the nations, and shall rebuke many people: and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruninghooks: nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more.

Who would do this great thing? What would his name be? Would it be Isaiah? No. Would it be Uzziah? No; he died in Isaiah 6. Would it be Ahaz? Absolutely not. He was a wicked king according to 2 Chronicles 28:1-4. No, the darkness and the difficulties would end because “unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given.” What is the name of this son? Well, He is given four names here…

II. Let’s Think About The Names That Point Us To The Son

(Isaiah 9:6) For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.

A. He Is The Perceptive One – Wonderful Counselor

1. He Is The Wonderful One

Wonderful – Hebrew 6382. pele', peh'-leh; from H6381; a miracle:--marvellous thing, wonder (-ful, -fully).

This is either an adjective that modifies the word “counselor” or it is a name to itself. Either way, it has the idea of that which is “remarkable.”

‎Barnes said…

It seems to me, that the proper idea of the word is not that of miraculous. It is rather that which is separated from the ordinary course of events, and which is suited to excite amazement, wonder, and admiration, whether it be miraculous or not.

2. He Is The Wise One

Counselor – Hebrew 3289. ya'ats, yaw-ats'; a prim. root; to advise; reflex. to deliberate or resolve:--advertise, take advice, advise (well), consult, (give take) counsel (-lor), determine, devise, guide, purpose.

Barnes said…

The name “counselor” here, denotes one of honorable rank; one who is suited to stand near princes and kings as their adviser. It is expressive of great wisdom, and of qualifications to guide and direct the human race. The Septuagint translates this phrase, ‘The angel of the mighty counsel.’ The Chaldee, ‘The God of wonderful counsel.’

B. He Is The Powerful One – The Mighty God

Eugene Peterson paraphrased the statement “the government shall be upon his shoulder” like this: “He’ll take over the running of the world” (The Message).

1. His Power Is Mentioned

mighty – Hebrew 1368. gibbowr, ghib-bore'; or (short.) gibbor, ghib-bore'; intens. from the same as H1397; powerful; by impl. warrior, tyrant:--champion, chief, X excel, giant, man, mighty (man, one), strong (man), valiant man.

2. His Power Is Multiplied

The name for “God” that is used here is the term “El” which means the mighty or the Almighty. So this name is actually “The mighty Almighty.” It is a multiplied might.

God – Hebrew 410. 'el, ale; short. from H352; strength; as adj. mighty; espec. the Almighty (but used also of any deity):--God (god), X goodly, X great, idol, might (-y one), power, strong. Comp. names in "-el."

C. He Is The Perpetual One – Everlasting Father

1. Notice The Eternal Implications Of This Name

everlasting – Hebrew 5703. 'ad, ad; from H5710; prop. a (peremptory) terminus, i.e. (by impl.) duration, in the sense of advance or perpetuity (substantially as a noun, either with or without a prep.):--eternity, ever (-lasting, -more), old, perpetually, + world without end.

2. Notice The Expressive Implications Of This Name

Father – Hebrew 1. 'ab, awb; a prim. word; father in a lit, and immed., or fig, and remote application):--chief, (fore-) father ([-less]), X patrimony, principal.

Warren Wiersbe said…

“Everlasting Father” does not suggest that the Son is also the Father, for each Person in the Godhead is distinct. “Father of eternity” is a better translation. Among the Jews, the word “father” means “originator” or “source.” … If you want anything eternal, you must get it from Jesus Christ; He is the “Father of eternity.”

D. He Is The Peaceful One – The Prince Of Peace

1. This Name Is Descriptive

prince – Hebrew 8269. sar, sar; from H8323; a head person (of any rank or class):--captain (that had rule), chief (captain), general, governor, keeper, lord, ([-task-]) master, prince (-ipal), ruler, steward.

peace – Hebrew 7965. shalowm, shaw-lome'; or shalom, shaw-lome'; from H7999; safe, i.e. (fig.) well, happy, friendly; also (abstr.) welfare, i.e. health, prosperity.

The Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown Commentary says…

The Prince of Peace - (note, Isaiah 9:5; Genesis 49:10: Shiloh, ‘The Tranquillizer.’) Even already He is “our peace” (Luke 2:14; Ephesians 2:14).

2. This Name Is Distinctive

Barnes’ Notes states…

This is a Hebrew mode of expression denoting that he would be a peaceful prince. The tendency of his administration would be to restore and perpetuate peace. This expression is used to distinguish him from the mass of kings and princes who have delighted in conquest and blood. In contradistinction from all these, the Messiah would seek to promote universal concord, and the tendency of his reign would be to put an end to wars, and to restore harmony and order to the nations

While all of these name in Isaiah 9:6 are expressive and poignant, just before the child was born, there was another name set forth. And in order to discover this special name, we must go to the New Testament, to Luke 1.

III. Let’s Think About The Name That Points Us To The Savior

Charles Wycuff wrote a song that says…

There’s a name above all others, Wonderful to hear, bringing hope and cheer;

It’s the lovely name of Jesus, Evermore the same what a lovely name!

It’s the name, “Jesus.”

A. There Is A Mandate In This Name

1. His Name Was Specified Through Revelation

(Luke 1:30-31) And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God. {31} And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS.

2. His Name Was Specified Through Repetition

(Matthew 1:20-21) But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost. {21} And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.

B. There Is A Meaning In This Name

Bill and Gloria Gaither wrote…

Jesus, Jesus, Jesus; There’s just something about that name!

Master, Savior, Jesus, Like the fragrance after the rain;

Jesus, Jesus, Jesus, Let all heaven and earth proclaim;

Kings and kingdoms will all pass away, But there’s something about that name!

The Easton’s Bible Dictionary says of the name “Jesus”…

This is the Greek form of the Hebrew name Joshua, which was originally Hoshea (Numbers 13:8,16), but changed by Moses into Jehoshua (Numbers 13:16; 1 Chronicles 7:27), or Joshua. After the Exile it assumed the form Jeshua, whence the Greek form Jesus. It was given to our Lord to denote the object of his mission, to save (Matthew 1:21).

Jesus – Greek 2424. Iesous, ee-ay-sooce'; of Heb. origin [H3091]; Jesus (i.e. Jehoshua), the name of our Lord and two (three) other Isr.:--Jesus.

3091. Yehowshuwa', yeh-ho-shoo'-ah; or Yehowshu'a, yeh-ho-shoo'-ah; from H3068 and H3467; Jehovah-saved; Jehoshua (i.e. Joshua), the Jewish leader:--Jehoshua, Jehoshuah, Joshua.

Jehoshua or Joshua was a compound name comprised of two Hebrew words (H3068 and H3467)…

1. It Points To The Sovereign

3068. Yehovah, yeh-ho-vaw'; from H1961; (the) self-Existent or Eternal; Jeho-vah, Jewish national name of God:--Jehovah, the Lord.

2. It Points To The Savior

3467. yasha', yaw-shah'; a prim. root; prop. to be open, wide or free, i.e. (by impl.) to be safe; causat. to free or succor:-- X at all, avenging, defend, deliver (-er), help, preserve, rescue, be safe, bring (having) salvation, save (-iour), get victory.

C. There Is A Ministry In This Name

1. We Go Baptizing In His Name

(Matthew 28:19) Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:

(Acts 2:38) Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.

(Acts 8:12) (Acts 8:15-16)

2. We Go Boldly In His Name

Even the officials realized that there was power in this name Jesus.

(Acts 4:13-18) … {18} And they called them, and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus.

Afterward, Peter and the others came back to the assembled believers and told them about what had happened, and the congregation said…

(Acts 4:29-30) And now, Lord, behold their threatenings: and grant unto thy servants, that with all boldness they may speak thy word, {30} By stretching forth thine hand to heal; and that signs and wonders may be done by the name of thy holy child Jesus.

Again in Acts 5 they were commanded “that they should not speak in the name of Jesus.”

(Acts 5:40) And to him they agreed: and when they had called the apostles, and beaten them, they commanded that they should not speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go.

Then God saved a man named Saul…

(Acts 9:26-29) … {29} And he spake boldly in the name of the Lord Jesus, and disputed against the Grecians: but they went about to slay him.

(Acts 15:25-26) It seemed good unto us, being assembled with one accord, to send chosen men unto you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul, {26} Men that have hazarded their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

D. There Is A Majesty In This Name

1. In This Name, There Is A Way

When Peter and his companions were called before the high priest to account for the healing of the lame man in Acts 3, he said…

(Acts 4:10-12) Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by him doth this man stand here before you whole. {11} This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner. {12} Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.

2. In This Name, There Is A Worship

(Philippians 2:5-10) Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: {6} Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: {7} But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: {8} And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. {9} Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: {10} That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;

Jesus didn’t try to make a name for himself (made himself of no reputation), so God has “given Him a name which is above every name.

Conclusion

William Hunter was born in County Antrim in Ireland in May of 1811. He moved to America in 1817 and entered Madison College in 1830. During the course of his ministry he would be an editor, a professor, and a pastor. But he was also a songwriter who wrote some 125 hymns. In 1859, he published a hymn called “The Great Physician.”

The first verse of the song says…

The great Physician now is near, The sympathizing Jesus;

He speaks the drooping heart to cheer, Oh! hear the voice of Jesus.

Another verse says…

All glory to the dying Lamb! I now believe in Jesus;

I love the blessèd Savior’s Name, I love the Name of Jesus.

Then…

His Name dispels my guilt and fear, No other name but Jesus;

Oh! how my soul delights to hear The charming Name of Jesus.

And the last verse says…

And when to that bright world above, We rise to see our Jesus,

We’ll sing around the throne of love His Name, the Name of Jesus.

And the chorus says…

Sweetest note in seraph song, Sweetest Name on mortal tongue;

Sweetest carol ever sung, Jesus, blessed Jesus.

WHAT A NAME! WHAT A LOVELY NAME!