[x_custom_headline type=”left” level=”h4″ looks_like=”h4″]Isaiah is sometimes referred to as the “Christmas prophet,” because he mentions the birth of the Lord Jesus more than any other prophet. In fact, in Isaiah chapter nine, we find that Israel had been overrun, crushed and defeated by a brutal enemy. They had been taken captive, and many of their loved ones had been killed. Yet right in the midst of the worst situation ever, they received a promise, a Word from the Lord. God spoke to them and said:[/x_custom_headline]
[x_blockquote cite=”Isaiah 9:1-7 KJV” type=”left”]“Nevertheless the dimness shall not be such as was in her vexation, when at the first he lightly afflicted the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, and afterward did more grievously afflict her by the way of the sea, beyond Jordan, in Galilee of the nations. 2 The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light: they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined. 3 Thou hast multiplied the nation, and not increased the joy: they joy before thee according to the joy in harvest, and as men rejoice when they divide the spoil. 4 For thou hast broken the yoke of his burden, and the staff of his shoulder, the rod of his oppressor, as in the day of Midian. 5 For every battle of the warrior is with confused noise, and garments rolled in blood; but this shall be with burning and fuel of fire. 6 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. 7 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 for ever. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this.”[/x_blockquote]
- The distress of verse 1 will turn into the joy of verse 3.
- The oppression and bondage of verse 1 will become the broken yoke of verse 3.
- The darkness of verse 2 will turn into the light of verse 2.
- The shadow of death in verse 2 will be overcome in verse 6.
Let’s look closely at the sixth verse:
[x_blockquote cite=”Isaiah 9:6 KJV” type=”left”]“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.”[/x_blockquote]
First of all notice that this child is born “unto us,” or for us. In other words, this child was born for our personal benefit. This child being “born” is a reference to his humanity.
Then the Christmas Prophet goes on to tell us that “unto us” a SON is given. This is a direct reference to the deity of the Lord Jesus Christ. The Son was GIVEN to us as a gift from God. But to be clear, there has never been a time when the SON did not exist. He existed in the beginning with God.
God’s Christmas GIFT came in the person of deity, wrapped in the package of humanity! He came in earthly humanity; He came in heavenly deity.
One expositor wrote: “The great mystery of the manger is that God should be able to translate deity into humanity without discarding the deity or distorting the humanity.”
The Christmas Prophet proclaims that this Great King will have four names, or four titles.
[x_custom_headline type=”center” level=”h3″ looks_like=”h3″accent=”true”]“WONDERFUL COUNSELOR”[/x_custom_headline]
This word “wonderful” in the Hebrew is never used in the Bible to describe humankind, but always as an attribute to God. Jesus Christ is a wonder of a counselor who solves all our confusion.
In the Garden, Satan got Eve involved in psychoanalysis, convincing her that what God said wasn’t really what God said or meant at all. Then Eve got Adam involved in group therapy, and together they plunged the whole world into the insanity of sin and destruction.
Mankind was ruined by receiving wicked counsel, yet was redeemed by the Wonderful Counselor. Without His counsel, your life will be left in confusion and be continually a mess.
[x_custom_headline type=”center” level=”h3″ looks_like=”h3″ accent=”true”]“THE MIGHTY GOD”[/x_custom_headline]
The Hebrew words here are: El Gabbor. Some translate this as “Hero-God,” or “Warrior God.”
Jesus Christ is our Champion and our defender, who shelters us from the attacks of the evil one.
[x_custom_headline type=”center” level=”h3″ looks_like=”h3″ accent=”true”]“THE EVERLASTING FATHER”[/x_custom_headline]
Another name for this mighty King is “The Everlasting Father,” because He is always watchful and protective of us His children.
As the Everlasting Father He has made Himself our provider, the One who meets all our needs.
[x_custom_headline type=”center” level=”h3″ looks_like=”h3″ accent=”true”]“THE PRINCE OF PEACE”[/x_custom_headline]
Jesus Christ is the supreme Giver of peace. He is the One who in Isaiah 9:5 is going to see that the enemy’s weapons and battle garments are burned in the fire! The battle is His, while the victory and the peace are ours!
Isaiah, the Christmas Prophet foretold Jesus’ coming by the Holy Spirit. And Jesus Christ has truly come as our Wonderful Counselor, The Mighty God, The Everlasting Father, and The Prince of Peace. Those who have received Jesus as their Lord and Savior have much to rejoice about and celebrate during this Christmas season.
However, if you have never received Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, then you have missed out on the greatest Christmas gift you could ever receive. Ask Jesus into your heart today (Romans 10:9-10), and you will truly know the meaning of the words, Merry Christmas.
