Parables, Metaphors and Such... B. Keith Chadwell, February, 12, 2010 METAPHORS, SIMILES AND ANALOGIES all make comparisons, but the three differ in form and fullness. An ANALOGY is a rather full comparison showing or implying several points of similarity. A SIMILE makes the comparison exact and labels it by an introductory word (like or as). A METAPHORE is the shortest, most compact of these comparisons…typically the writer asserts that one thing is another (in some respect), or suggests that it acts like or has some of the qualities of something else, as in the examples “a copper sky”, “a heart of stone”. A Parable is a placing beside; a comparison; equivalent to the Hebrew “mashal,” a similitude. The Bible is filled with this type of language and in this manner God has hidden “the Mystery of the Kingdom”. The revelation of this mystery is impossible without the Holy Spirit working in us to reveal these hidden meanings. Man's natural wisdom has often been used to develop and promulgate traditional doctrine and therefor has resulted in doctrinal divisions and a mulligan of divisive teaching. These teachings have been as the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducee. Hosea 12:10. I have also spoken by the prophets, and I have multiplied visions, and used similitude’s by the ministry of the prophets. Also, a large portion of our Lord's public teaching consisted of parables. He, himself, explains His reasons for this in His answer to the inquiry of the disciples: "Why speakest thou to them in parables?" (Matt. 13:13-15; Mark 4:11, 12; Luke 8:9, 10). Matthew 13:13 (SE) This is why I use stories when I talk with them, so that they look, but do not see, and they listen, but they do not understand. Matthew 13:14 (SE) They have made Isiah's prophecy come true: “You will certainly hear, but you won't understand! You will certainly see, but you won't understand! “ Matthew 13:15 (SE) The heart of this people has become hard. They have ears, but they do not listen. They have shut their eyes. Otherwise, they would see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their minds, and then turn. I would heal them.' Matthew 13:34 (YB) All these things spake Jesus in similes to the multitudes, and without a simile he was not speaking to them, Isaiah 6: 9-10 And he said, Go, and tell this people, Hear ye indeed, but understand not; and see ye indeed, but perceive not. Make the heart of this people fat, and make their ears heavy, and shut their eyes; lest they see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and convert, and be healed. ~ ~ ~