"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."
Isaiah 9:6
Part 3
Yesterday: All Authority to Reign is His!
“And the government shall be upon His shoulder.”
God has never ceased to reign. He is all-powerful. Satan, the usurper, tried to take the creation and creatures from God. He will never succeed! He was foiled when Jesus died on the Cross! Jesus Christ is the great King!
Today: What Will the Christ-child be Like?
These “names” are descriptions of the Christ-child’s personal qualities. More than just a name, these character traits teach us the truth about who this Christ-child is and what He has come to earth to do.
“In Semitic thought, a name does not just identify or distinguish a person, it expresses the very nature of his being”[1] (Longenecker).
“The LORD hear thee in the day of trouble; the name of the God of Jacob defend thee” (Psalm 20:1). For example, He protects us.
Each of these “names” is two words combined to define His traits.
“And His name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor.”
He is the “Wonderful-Counselor!” Indeed Christ is “wonderful in counsel” or “one counselling wonderful things”[2] (K&D).
“This also cometh forth from the LORD of hosts, which is wonderful in counsel, and excellent in working” (Isaiah 28:29).
Believers, we have the privilege of going to His Word and being counseled by Him daily for our every need. Indeed, He is the Wonderful-Counselor!
“Truly, Jesus purposes wonders in the depth of His redeeming design. He intends to do great things and to reach them by a road which none would have imagined. The counsel to save a world, and that by dying for it, is the miracle of miracles. ‘Who hath been His counselor in that overwhelming wonder?’ He needs no teacher; He is Himself the teacher of all truth. All may have His direction, and they who follow it will not walk in darkness”[3] (MacLaren).
“And His name shall be called…The mighty God.”
He is “The Mighty-God.” Or from the ancient text, the “Hero-God.”[4]
“Thou showest lovingkindness unto thousands, and recompensest the iniquity of the fathers into the bosom of their children after them: the Great, the Mighty God, the LORD of hosts, is his name, Great in counsel, and mighty in work: for thine eyes are open upon all the ways of the sons of men: to give every one according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings” (Jeremiah 32:18-19).
“These two titles ascribe to the Messiah the two fundamental virtues of a ruler, wisdom and strength… both in superhuman measure.”[5]
“And the spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD” (Isaiah 11:2).[6]
Please join us tomorrow as we continue to rejoice in who this Baby is and what He will do.
Quote: “The word of God is the Christian soul’s best weapon, and it is essential to have it with him always. In doubt it decides, in consultation it directs; in anxiety it reassures; in sorrow it comforts; in failure it encourages; in defense it protects; in offense it is mightier than the mighty”[7] (Sir Wilfred Grenfell, missionary doctor).
We expect the “Mighty-God’s” Book to be mighty also, and it is!
[1] Longenecker is quoted in the Enduring Word Commentary, the electronic version in eSword. Isaiah 9:6.
[2] Keil & Delitzsch, Keil & Delitzsch Commentary on the Old Testament, the electronic version in eSword. Isaiah 9:6.
[3] Alexander MacLaren. Expositions of Holy Scriptures, the electronic version in eSword. Isaiah 9:6.
[4] Cambridge Bible, the electronic version in eSword. Isaiah 9:6.
[5] Cambridge Bible, ibid.
[6] Books have been written by wise preachers about these glorious “names” for our God. I feel inadequate to say anything about them.
[7] Grenfell’s quote Downloaded: Saturday, December 5, 2020. From: https://www.greatsayings.net/sayings-about-mighty-god/.