When Isaiah spoke the promise found in verses 1 and 2, the northern
regions around the Sea of Galilee were
most severely ravaged when the Assyrians invaded from the north. The promise is
that this land, once seemingly lightly esteemed by
the LORD, will one day have a special blessing. (Matt 4:13-16) The
ministry of the Messiah would bring joy and gladness to Israel.
Then the following promises found in 9:3-5 – reference to great joy, the breaking
of the yoke of his burden and
the rod of his oppressor, and the
complete victory over
all their enemies. Something they had longed for! We have been there, too! But
through our surrender to Jesus, he will bring this to pass in our lives. These
things are ours in Jesus, too!
In verse 6
we find the amazing promise of Jesus’
birth and the Names
which describe the aspects of His character: they describe who
He is and what He has come to do. These names are associated with God. They belong to God alone!
:“For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is
given; -dedicated, granted, given in exchange for or to pay a wage- (*)
The Son had to be given.
What glorious truth! We needed a perfect, infinite Being to offer a
perfect, infinite atonement for our sins. We needed Immanuel, God is with us (Isaiah 7:14). This glorious prophecy of the birth of Messiah
reminds Israel that the victory-bringing Messiah would be a man.
“and the
government dominion shall be up on His shoulder and His name, reputation, fame and glory shall be called, recited, cried out, and proclaimed to be (*)
Wonderful Counselor,
Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” (9:6)
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” (9:6)
“Wonderful, Counselor” indicates that Jesus will be a supernatural source of extraordinary
wisdom. “He defends God’s people with perfect integrity and grace” (iWorship
Bible).
Later on in Isaiah, we’re told that the Lord God has done “wonderful
things” (Isaiah 25:1) and that he is “wonderful in counsel” (Isaiah 28:29)
These are great news for those who feel lost and are suffering because of
all the bad decisions they have made in life, and realize they are in need of
guidance and wisdom. Have you ever been
there? I have!!
“Christ is the Counselor whom I desire to consult every
hour, and I would that I could sit in his secret chamber all day and all night
long, because to counsel with him is to have sweet counsel, hearty counsel, and
wise counsel, all at the same time.” (Spurgeon)
“Mighty God” indicates that Jesus
will be divinely strong and powerful — In Him we find strength. “… the One who
is capable of achieveing the seemingly impossible.” (iWorship Bible) The same
title is used of God himself (Isaiah 10:21).
“Everlasting Father” indicates that Jesus will care for his people
forever, as a father cares for his children. God is called the Father of
his people throughout the Bible (Isaiah 63:16), and only God himself can truly be called the Everlasting Father.
These are amazing news for those of us that did not grow under the care
and protection of a father: we are never
to feel alone and unappreciated! We now have a beloved “Abba Father” (Ro. 8:15) to freely run to!
“Prince of Peace” indicates that Jesus will bring deep well-being and
right relationships. “He is the One who reconciles
us to God; he is the giver of peace in our hearts and ultimately, when his kingdom
is established, of peace among the nations” (iWorship Bible)
— “Prince, ruler, leader, chief of Peace, wholeness, completeness, soundness, welfare,
quiet, tranquility, contentment, complete health· (*Sylvia Gunter)
“When we are inwardly tossed by various tempests, and
when Satan attempts to disturb our consciences, let us remember that Christ
is The Prince of Peace, and that it is easy for him
quickly to allay all our uneasy feelings. Thus will these titles confirm us
more and more in the faith of Christ, and fortify us against Satan and against
hell itself.” (Calvin)
Isaiah was right! God did deliver these promises to His people. Jesus
was born seven hundred years later and ONLY through Him, God fulfilled every
promise announced. God came among us in the person of Jesus. He took on flesh
(Phil 2:5-11) in order to give us wisdom, protection, fatherly care, and peace
as we enter into relationship with him!
ALL of these promises to us fallen people, but ALL because of His Favor and Mercy, extended to us who can
do nothing to be worthy of them. It is God’s amazing Gift.! (Romans 3:23-26)
Blessings,
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3zpLPh6LibE Your Great Name (Amy grant)
