To Us a Child Is Born – A Messianic Prophecy

“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, Counselor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.  Of the increase of His government and peace there shall be no end upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even forever.  The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this.” –Isaiah 9:6-7 (KJV).

Perhaps many of you, as I, memorized this prophecy of Isaiah concerning the birth of the Messiah and his particular work on the earth.  Isaiah pictures the child—the son—who will be in the lineage of David the king as a gift of divine grace who will commandingly enter the world stage.  Later versions (like the New English) omit the comma between wonderful and counselor, making the designation one of His attributes, with a modifier.  The child, becoming a man, will achieve many distinctions and will have outstanding qualifications:

            (1) Wonderful Counselor – one who makes wise plans and advises about them;

            (2)  Mighty God – the Diety, powerful and good;

         (3)  Everlasting Father – the Father, having the qualities of benevolent protector and helper.  This is not to take the name of Father from the Trinity and apply it to the Son, but the Son will be one with the Father and in that way offer protection and help for all the children (followers).  Wiersbe suggests that the term means “Father of eternity.  If you want anything eternal, you must get it through Jesus Christ” (W. W. Wiersbe, Bible Commentary. OT, p.1163).

           (4) Prince of Peace – He will bring about peace because nations and people will practice His justice and judgments and seek His guidance.

Because of the nature and attributes of the person who is to be born, His government will be established and last forever.  All of this will be made possible because of the zeal and steadfastness of the Lord of hosts.  Paul gives this word, which we might see as this prophecy fulfilled, with our part in it defined, for we have the “word of reconciliation” to spread:  “God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not counting their trespasses agains them, and He has commited to us the word of reconciliation”  (I Corinthians 5:19, NAS). If you listen to Handel’s majestic “Messiah” this Christmas, you will hear the words of Isaiah set to beautiful music.  I can hear even now the lofty melody running through my mind:  “And His name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, the Mighty God, the Everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace…and of the increase of His government there shall be no end…!

Prayer.  Lord, through Scripture, music, prayer and adoration may we be renewed this Christmas in spirit and in truth that we may serve You with more effectiveness and zeal.  Amen.