And His Name Shall Be Called . . .

 

Jacob and Nephi spent a lot of time discussing Isaiah, seeking to improve the understanding of the Nephites who did not understand the manner of prophesying among the Jews. An understanding of the way ancient Hebrew prophets spoke and wrote was sorely needed by the Nephites and, even more so, by us today. To understand it we must recall the historical setting of the prophecy and we must become conversant with Hebrew poetry.  Isaiah, along with being a prophet, was also an accomplished poet.

Jesus taught using parables - metaphors and similes - so that His listeners understood the sacred by equating it to the known.  Ancient prophets achieved the same end by using symbolic language., the manner of prophesying among the Jews.

I found this information on the web* and I quote:

This type of literature makes up 1/3 of the Old Testament.  It is especially common in the "Prophets" (all but Haggai and Malachi contain poetry) and "Writings" sections of the Hebrew canon. ... It is basically thought based in balanced parallel lines.

Here are some examples from that same article describing forms of parallelisms as used by the Jews:

• synonymous – the lines express the same thought in different words:
• antithetical – the lines express opposite thoughts by means of contrast or stating the positive and the negative:
• synthetic – the next two or three lines develop the thought.
• chiasmic – a pattern of poetry expressing the message in a descending and ascending order.  The main point is found in the middle of the pattern.
• emblematic – one clause literal and the second metaphorical, 
•  climactic or stair-like – the clauses reveal truth in an ascending fashion,
•  introverted – a series of clauses, usually at least four are related by the internal structure of line 1 to 4 and 2 to 3.

One can find examples of each of these forms in the writings of Isaiah. One of Isaiah's main focuses was on the coming of the promised Messiah: Jesus Christ.  Here is one example from Isaiah 7: 

Therefore, the Lord himself shall give you a sign—Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and shall bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel. (2 Nephi 17:14))

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, Counselor, The Mighty God, The Everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. Of the increase of government and peace there is no end…

(2 Nephi 19: 6-7)

 

Kingdom of Heaven

I can almost hear strains of Handel’s Messiah as I read these words! However, too many in Jesus’ day misunderstood that second verse: the increase of government… They were looking for a Messiah who would establish a temporal kingdom and sit on David’s throne. That was a gross misinterpretation of Isaiah’s words. I wonder if the Nephites were more likely to understand that the government spoken of was His government and kingdom – the Kingdom of Heaven?  Jesus Himself said, My kingdom is not of this world. (John 18: 36) This response was in answer to the question of Pontius Pilate: Art thou the king of the Jews?[2]

 

How did the Jew’s mistake who He was? Of all the people in the world, those temple lawyers should have recognized him, but they were not interested in truth: they wanted to rationalize away all the testimony of the Old Testament in order that they might continue their hypocritical – and profitable – practices. Sinful people do not like to be told that they are sinful.

Jacob later taught that the Jew’s of Jesus’ day looked beyond the mark. (Jacob 4: 14)

Do we ever find ourselves looking beyond the mark – failing to see what is right before our eyes? Do we ever find ourselves looking for answers in social media memes, political pundits, or outspoken celebrities instead of looking to the Lord through scriptures, prophecy, and the Spirit? If we look for answers in all the wrong places, we should not be surprised that we do not find them.

Isaiah saw and wrote about our day as well.

Introduction to Hebrew Poetry | Bible.org