Canter Bridge

Sometimes a nickname goes deeper.

A second naming bears peculiar force upon the life of the one named, as on those who surround him and speak his name.

You may be ‘Doug’, but if your softball buddies call you Yer honor, the latter says more about your persona than the former.

If you’ve been tagged by some later-in-life shame, people may not speak the new name you’ve been given, but a scarlet letter may forever precede your entrance into any room, announcing your arrival. Fortunately, not all life-given names are misery-driven. Some are glorious.

But now hear, O Jacob my servant, Israel whom I have chosen! Thus says the Lord who made you, who formed you from the womb and will help you: Fear not, O Jacob my servant, Jeshurun whom I have chosen. For I will pour water on the thirsty land, and streams on the dry ground; I will pour my Spirit upon your offspring, and my blessing on your descendants. They shall spring up among the grass like willows by flowing streams. This one will say, ‘I am the Lord’s,’ another will call on the name of Jacob, and another will write on his hand, ‘The Lord’s,’ and name himself by the name of Israel. (Isaiah 44:1–5 ESV)

This ‘servant’ oracle bears with it continuities from early servant-speak. The thirsty desert path back to Zion becomes well-watered. YHWH’s Spirit, which an early servant oracle placed upon the servant, is here poured out upon the servant’s descendants.

There is also development of servant themes. The servant is now clearly identified as Jacob, and as chosen Israel, as beloved Jeshurun (an identification that is repeated in verse 21). Identity remains enigmatic, but we now have this anchor.

It is the extension of the restorative promise to coming generations that elicits from the prophet his most shimmering poetry. Speaking of the offspring to come, they shall spring up among the grass like willows by flowing streams.

And then, this second naming, this probing of deepest identity, this provision of a verbal handle for what is most new, most splendid, least imaginable in the dusk of captivity:

This one will say, ‘I am the Lord’s,’ another will call on the name of Jacob, and another will write on his hand, ‘The Lord’s,’ and name himself by the name of Israel.

It is not the last time that the book of Isaiah and New Testament promise that derives its energy from it will speak of second naming. It is merely the first whisper of awe-fused rebirth that follows in the wake of YHWH’s most unimaginable feat of goodness.

Whaz’yer name?