Last week, we kicked off our Christmas series Star of Wonder with a look at a little town called Bethlehem and the importance this town has had over the years.
This week, we reflect on two passages that foretell the birth of the Christ-child.
In a couple of weeks, we will celebrate the birth of Jesus, and He is the answer to our trials, problems, and concerns.
God With Us
In the book of Isaiah, he prophesied the coming Messiah – Jesus Christ. He says,
“Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.” — Isaiah 7:14
Immanuel means “God With Us.” During this year, you may have experienced triumphs, but your heart may have been broken by the loss of a family member or friend.
The Lord wants you to know, especially during this season, that He is with you, and we rest in the hope that God Is With Us.
He has not forsaken us. When the world was initially turned upside down with sin in the Garden of Eden, God put into motion a plan to save the world.
His redemption plan was His Son – Jesus Christ – Immanuel.
He sent His Son to be born into our crazy world to show us that He Is With Us. The prophet Isaiah foretold this incredible event hundreds of years before it happened.
Reflection Point
Take a few minutes to open your heart to the beauty of the true Christmas – the birth of Jesus. Wherever you are on your spiritual journey, you can reach out to God who cares and hears you.
What’s In a Name?
God knew what you needed long before you were even a twinkle in your parent’s eyes. Through the prophet Isaiah, we see how God put a plan in motion to save us.
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 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 terrible 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 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.1
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 the gospel of Matthew, 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 there would not be a gap between the first and second coming of Christ.2
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, they did not see him as their Savior.
Reflection Point
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 who you are and for sending your Son to be the Savior of the world. I am grateful for your love, grace, and mercy in my life. Amen!
Footnotes
- 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. ↩︎
- 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. ↩︎
Listen On…
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