What's In a Name, Part 1

Names are important. To us in twenty-first century America, names serve mainly as a tool to distinguish between people. Very seldom do we think about why we were named with the name our parents gave us. When the Hebrew parents gave names to their children, they often chose names which reflected the character of their children. For example we read in Genesis 25:24-26 about the naming of Jacob and Esau.
“So when her days were fulfilled for her to give birth, indeed there were twins in her womb. And the first came out red. He was like a hairy garment all over; so they called his name Esau. Afterward his brother came out, and his hand took hold of Esau's heel; so his name was called Jacob.”
This understanding of the significance of a name is important as we approach the birth announcement God sent forth through Isaiah the prophet for the birth of His Son the Lord Jesus Christ. Usually birth announcements are sent out in the days after the birth takes place, but God sent out this birth announcement some 700 years before it happened. As we begin our exploration of our Lord's birth announcement together, we will look at it in terms of two divisions.
I. The One Who Will Be Born
II. His Name Shall Be Called Wonderful Counselor