What were your earliest scriptures that talked about Christmas? This passage is one the first scriptures of Christmas that I committed to memory as a child. While I did not understand it, it seemed like a mystery. I thought the passage was about Jesus but it was not like in the story format that the gospels tell us about Jesus’ birth and the events that occurred. Today we would exploring Isaiah 9.6–7
In this study, the tools we would use for this study are
- Who, What, When, Where, and How tool
- What does it mean?
- How does it apply to me today?
So let’s dig in and turn the bible to Isaiah 9.6–7
Who, What, When, Where, and How tool
To us a child is born
To us a son has been given
This given son has been given authority to govern
Prophet Isaiah continued by telling us who this son actually is. To open our eyes to His person. This person is: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
His authority would never end. His kingdom will establish and uphold justice and righteousness from that time and forever
This passage is a prophetic passage about the Messiah Jesus Christ, that God gave to prophet Isaiah. He tells us
The son given is Jesus Christ. He is coming to establish His kingdom. His kingdom will cross the divide of this present life to eternity.
What does (this passage ) mean?
This Child ( Jesus Christ) was born for the benefit of all human beings. This son who had been given is the Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
What do these names or titles mean
Let’s look at Wonderful Counselor
Wonderful means extremely good and Counsellor means :He gives counsel, advice, guidance, direction, instruction, information, and enlightenment.
The wonderful counselor Jesus Christ being God and man knows the counsels of God from eternity and He teaches, guides, models, informs, and instructs that counsel to the human race for her own welfare.
Let’s look at Mighty God: Jesus is God, the mighty One. He spoke creation to being. He has all power, might and authority. God will be seen in human form. A glorious delight. The given son Jesus Christ is both God and man.
Everlasting Father: This title gives a clearer picture of the messiah, though he is to be born into time dispensation as a child, given to us as a son. He is the eternal possessor owner of all things as we John 1: 1 -3 tells us
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made.
Prince of Peace: he reconciles us to God and gives us peace with God
John 3: 17 says
For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved
His kingdom will never end. Jesus’ reign is for both now and unto eternity. forever
How does it apply to me today?
This passage is about the prophecy of Jesus Christ and His kingdom. But how does it apply to you and me today?
This passage brought hope to those who lived before the fulfilment of this prophecy and it also gives hope to us who live after the fulfilment of this prophecy. It gives us the hope of the Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father and the Prince of Peace.
We daily need guidance in little decisions, big decisions and life changing decisions. But to whom do you turn to for counsel? God himself offers us His counsel. Do we turn to Jesus to receive counsel, advice, guidance, direction, instruction, information, and enlightenment about our decisions? Or do we decide by ourselves or watch what others are doing.
We have the hope to make the right decision all the time, if we just turn to the wonderful counsellor for it.
We have hope in the Mighty God
The quest for the good to win over the bad is internal cry and desire of all humans. We see this in our folk tales, stories and movies. We always want the good guys to win. When we bring it to reality, it sometimes seems that the good guys do not always win and it brings questions to our heart. There is hope in this as the Mighty God rules in the affairs of men. While the logic of things may seem out of place from our own view, when have hope because the Mighty God who is invariably God is in charge.
We have hope in the Everlasting Father. The owner and the one who created all things. To provide and care for us. His fatherhood of us is not time bound but timeless. His eternal fatherhood provides, protects and enables us to be who He created us to be. Our identity and purpose stems from Him. If ever the question, why am I here crosses your mind? You need to look to the eternal father
We have hope in the Prince of Peace. He gives us peace within and without
John 14:27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.
As we celebrate the fulfilment of this prophecy in Isaiah 9 this Christmas, let our hearts be filled with hope. As we have been given the Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father and the Prince of Peace. Let us receive Him into our hearts and life and share this hope with those around us.
Merry Christmas