RCD 003: For A Child Is Born To Us

The air is crisp, the leaves have changed, and the first snowfall has come and gone. As we celebrated Thanksgiving, we have much to be thankful for this year.

In last week's episode, we kicked off a new Advent series titled The Christmas Gift. In this week's episode, we continue to explore Isaiah's foretelling of a future king of Israel who will be born a baby.

He says,

“For a child is born to us, a son is given to us. The government will rest on his shoulders. And he will be called: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” — Isaiah 9:6

How many children have had their birth foretold?

None as far as I know. The words used to describe this baby, however, are:

Wonderful Counselor
Mighty God
Everlasting Father
Prince of Peace

During the time of Isaiah, King Hezekiah ruled Israel just like his father, Ahaz. Both of these men were not good leaders for Israel. We must remember that Isaiah was prophesying about Jesus Christ hundreds of years before His birth.

Biblical commentaries provide additional insight into these four descriptive names adorned to the future Messiah – Jesus Christ.

Wonderful Counselor – the Messiah would be an authoritative one, one that people would recognize and follow.

Mighty God – the term God is typically reserved for Yahweh or God the Father; in this verse, we see Jesus being given this name.

Everlasting Father – The Trinity – God in three persons – appears in this passage to remind us that Jesus (the second person of the Trinity) is God. He is without time. Just as God created the heavens and the earth in Genesis, and existed before all time, so did Jesus. This term “everlasting Father” shows to Israel that David's line would be fulfilled through the birth of Jesus Christ.

Prince of Peace – this term speaks to the millennial kingdom's future when Christ is the ruler. [REF1]

Isaiah continues,

“His government and its peace will never end. He will rule with fairness and justice from the throne of his ancestor David for all eternity. The passionate commitment of the Lord of Heaven’s Armies will make this happen!” — Isaiah 9:7

The Lord promised Israel that a descendent of David would be on the throne for all generations. As viewed in Matthew's gospel, the genealogy of Christ details the history and line of David.

Some scholars believe that Isaiah thought the foretelling of Jesus' birth meant it would be once and for all and that there would not be a gap between the first and second coming of Christ. [REF1]

Throughout the Old Testament and even into the New Testament, the people of Israel were looking for a “Savior” – one that could destroy the earthly kingdoms.

As we will see in the future, even when Jesus was standing in front of them, did they not see him as their Savior.

Application

As Christmas approaches, let us not forget the path to redemption starts with a baby who was foretold long before His arrival. He is the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. Take a few minutes to read through the account in Isaiah 9 to see the attributes of Christ and His power and majesty.

Prayer

Lord, thank you for sending your Son to us to redeem us from our sins. We are so grateful for the gift of your Son so that we may live. Please help us to walk in such a way as to be worthy of this calling. Amen!

References

[REF1] The Bible Knowledge Commentary – Isaiah (John A Martin) – Volume 1 – The Retribution of God (Chaps. 1-39) – A. The Lord's Indictment of the Nations (Chaps. 1-6) – B. Prophecies of Deliverance (Chaps. 7-12) 2. The Coming Deliverer (8:1-9:7) – f. The Future Deliverance of Nation (9:1-7) (Article) – found in Logos Software.