Welcome to Week Two of Good News of Great Joy. This week we’ll be looking at Isaiah chapter 9. While the text for this week is Isaiah 9:6-7, the fuller context is Isaiah 9:1-7. We strongly encourage you to read that at least once ( if not every day).
For our study this week, we’re going to be considering five things this passage tells us about the name of this child. Isaiah 9:6 ESV reads:
For to us a child is born,
to us a son is given;
and the government shall be upon his shoulder,
and his name shall be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
The ESV translation removes the comma between Wonderful and Counselor found in older translations. However, the Hebrew word rendered there as wonderful is a noun, so for our meditation this week we’re restoring it.
In biblical terms, someone’s name was a representation of who they were, and Jesus was a wonder and a miracle. Read Day One and see what you think.
Prayer guides by Tracy Lautenschlager.
Index to Days 2 through 5
Day 1
Wonderful
Observe
There is no more powerful, precious, life-giving, controversial, provocative name in the history of the world. The name of Jesus is a wonder! We write songs about it, deliver sermons on it, and orient our lives around it.
(We hope you enjoy the Warsaw Philharmonic Orchestra and Choir performing “For unto us a Child is born” from Händel’s “Messiah,” selected as your song for the day.)
Isaiah 9:6
6 For to us a child is born,
to us a son is given;
and the government shall be upon his shoulder,
and his name shall be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Acts 4:12
12 And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”
Philippians 2:9-11
9 Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, 10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Romans 10:13
13 For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”
Proverbs 18:10
10 The name of the Lord is a strong tower;
the righteous man runs into it and is safe.
John 3:18
18 Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God.
Two weeks ago, in the last message from the Awaken series, we studied how Peter and John were arrested by the chief priests and elders of Israel and threatened unless they agreed not to “speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus.” The apostles, of course, refused to do any such thing and prayed for increased boldness to proclaim the only “name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” In his first epistle, Peter wrote that Jesus, the cornerstone laid by God as the foundation in Zion, had become a stumbling block and a rock of offense. Is this not true? We can discuss being spiritual and even believing in God (although for the latter perhaps less now than in times past) but when we bring up the name of Jesus, the atmosphere changes. It’s either immediately warmed by a fellow believer, or chilled by the animosity of a world that has rejected him. You cannot be saved without the name of Jesus. There is no other name that fits the prophecy.
- What reactions have you received when you brought up the name of Jesus to someone?
- When you hear the name of Jesus come from someone else, what is your first thought?
Dear Jesus, Here, at the beginning of advent, I pray that you will restore to me the wonder of this season. Help me to reject cynicism and commercialism. Show me the activities that you intend for me because they have eternal value. Help me to lead my friends and family toward those worthy celebrations and then embrace them with joy. Let me see the needs in my community and share the abundance with which you have blessed me. And Lord, let it all be done to the glory of your wonderful name. Amen.
Day 2
Counselor
Observe
A counselor offers wisdom to someone else, and Jesus certainly does that. But is there more to it? Who counsels the source of all wisdom?
Isaiah 9:6
6 For to us a child is born,
to us a son is given;
and the government shall be upon his shoulder,
and his name shall be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Proverbs 11:14
14 Where there is no guidance, a people falls,
but in an abundance of counselors there is safety.
Isaiah 40:13-14
13 Who has measured the Spirit of the Lord,
or what man shows him his counsel?
14 Whom did he consult,
and who made him understand?
Who taught him the path of justice,
and taught him knowledge,
and showed him the way of understanding?
Isaiah 46:10
10 declaring the end from the beginning
and from ancient times things not yet done,
saying, ‘My counsel shall stand,
and I will accomplish all my purpose,’
Ephesians 1:11
11 In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will,
Romans 11:33-36
33 Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways!
34 “For who has known the mind of the Lord,
or who has been his counselor?”
35 “Or who has given a gift to him
that he might be repaid?”
36 For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen.
Proverbs tells us (Prov. 11:14) there is safety in an abundance of counselors. Human wisdom is flawed and we are best served when we are careful not to rely on just one human counselor. In all of Creation, God alone is right in taking his own counsel (Isa. 40:13-14). God declares that his counsel will stand and he will accomplish all his purposes (Isa. 46:10); Paul agrees, writing that God works all things after the counsel of his will (Eph. 1:11). There certainly are things we can’t understand about what God causes or permits, and sometimes we can’t reconcile the God whose thunderous appearance shakes mountains with the God who tenderly carries a lost sheep back to safety. Left with that theological conundrum, we arrive at the same place the Apostle Paul did in Romans chapter 11:33-36.
Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways!
“For who has known the mind of the Lord,
or who has been his counselor?”
“Or who has given a gift to him
that he might be repaid?”
For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen.
- One verse tells us we can know God while another says we can’t possibly understand him. How do we reconcile the two?
- When you say you “know” someone, what does that mean to you?
Heavenly Father, How often I have come to you for counsel, at times so burdened with worry that I had no words. Yet you heard my cries. You, who need counsel from no other, who cast the stars in their places and formed the earth, who established the plan of salvation and took on human form to accomplish it, – you listen to me, even me, and guide me. What a wonder! You are the infinite, untiring, patient and loving counselor. Thank you Lord.
Day 3
The Mighty God
Observe
He is “El-Gibbor,” the God who is Mighty.
Isaiah 9:6
6 For to us a child is born,
to us a son is given;
and the government shall be upon his shoulder,
and his name shall be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Romans 8:31
God’s Everlasting Love
31 What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?
Matthew 10:28
28 And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell.
Psalm 44:5
5 Through you we push down our foes;
through your name we tread down those who rise up against us.
John 10:10
10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.
Hebrew scholars debate the intent of this verse. Is it a claim for deity, or a statement that this future Davidic king would fight for God on the battlefield and thus be empowered by him? The specific name El-Gibbor is used only one other time in the Bible (although similar names are used elsewhere) and that’s in Isaiah 10:21, where the scholars agree that Isaiah is definitely speaking of the God of Israel. It is therefore reasonable we accept that Isaiah is saying this future Davidic king would be more than a man. This child who will save us is the Mighty God. The greatest battle ever fought was not between two vast armies, but between God and our ultimate enemy: death.
- Romans 8:31 asks the question, “If God is for us, who can be against us?” What battles are you fighting today that you need the Mighty God to win for you?
- Matthew 10:28 reminds us we do not have to fear those who can kill the body but not the soul. What does that mean and why is it true?
Father God, Thank you that, in your mercy, I don’t have to fight for my life or struggle to survive, but I know there are brothers and sisters near and far who do face those battles. Lord, protect and strengthen believers who live in peril from poverty and persecution. Show your church how to help and bless them. You are the mighty God in all these bright, safe places of abundance and in all the dark and frightening places. I pray that your banner of protection will be extended near and far in this advent season. Amen.
Day 4
The Everlasting Father
Observe
If he is the Mighty God, then of course he is eternal. But what if there is more to it?
Isaiah 9:6
6 For to us a child is born,
to us a son is given;
and the government shall be upon his shoulder,
and his name shall be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Psalm 90:2
2 Before the mountains were brought forth,
or ever you had formed the earth and the world,
from everlasting to everlasting you are God.
John 5:24
24 Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life.
John 14:2-6
2 In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also. 4 And you know the way to where I am going.” 5 Thomas said to him, “Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way?” 6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
Philippians 1:21-23
21 For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. 22 If I am to live in the flesh, that means fruitful labor for me. Yet which I shall choose I cannot tell. 23 I am hard pressed between the two. My desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better.
For certain, the fourth name is connected to the third; it is true that the Mighty God is also the Everlasting Father. However, the specific way in which this phrase is formed suggests he is more than the “tender, faithful, and wise trainer, guardian and provider for his people, even in eternity.” (Franz Delitzsch & Carl Friedrich Keil, Commentary on Isaiah: Part II, 1996) He is also the “possessor and the source of eternity”—it flows from him. This government Isaiah speaks of will be the last ever formed. The halls of modern governments, whether that’s Washington D.C., London, Berlin, or Tokyo, will all have crumbled to dust and the government that is laid upon his shoulders will remain. We are not foolish to hope in eternity, because we have heard from the one who inhabits it.
- What moment from your life do you wish could have continued forever?
- Jesus said he is preparing a place for us in his father’s house (John 14:2-6). What do you imagine will be familiar?
Everlasting Father, I pray that you will expand the capacity of my heart and mind to grasp just a bit of this glory, that you are eternal. From everlasting to everlasting, you are. And throughout eternity, you are the perfect, loving Father. Some are relieved to be free in this life from an unloving father. Some fear or mourn the passing of a loving earthly father, but even the most loving father here is a mere shadow. Lift my eyes to see you, the true Everlasting Father. Amen.
Day 5
The Prince of Peace
Observe
Is peace the presence of something or is it the absence of something else?
Isaiah 9:6
6 For to us a child is born,
to us a son is given;
and the government shall be upon his shoulder,
and his name shall be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
John 16:33
33 I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”
John 14:27
27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.
Isaiah 26:3
3 You keep him in perfect peace
whose mind is stayed on you,
because he trusts in you.
Romans 8:6
6 For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace.
Philippians 4:7
7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
As with yesterday, there is an interesting way in which this phrase is constructed. It’s sar-shâlōm, the Prince who removes all peace-disturbing powers and is himself the embodiment of peace. And the word Shalom itself carries more meaning than simply “peace,” it comes from a root word meaning to be complete or full and Strong’s Concordance notes that it is used to mean “completeness, wholeness, health, peace, welfare, safety, soundness, tranquility, prosperity, perfectness, fullness, rest, harmony, the absence of agitation or discord.” Jesus brings peace by removing the things that disturb it. He fills by removing the things that drain us.
- What disturbs your peace?
- What would need to be removed in order to have peace restored?
Dear Jesus, The expectations and whirlwind of this season can pick up speed and careen out of control so easily, taking the peace I long for. Yet I am often the one who opens the door to that chaos. Lord, hold it back. Help me to leave space for you in the celebrations. Quiet my heart. Teach me to be satisfied with you. I long for your peace, Lord, so drive from my life all the things that steal and destroy that peace. Amen.