His Name shall be called Wonderful Counselor
/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.
7 Of the increase of his government and of peace
there will be no end,
on the throne of David and over his kingdom,
to establish it and to uphold it
with justice and with righteousness
from this time forth and forevermore.
The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this. Isaiah 9:6-7
In the midst of darkness and impending judgment for the nation’s disobedience, Isaiah offered God’s promise of hope—a Messiah would be given to us who would establish His Kingdom. But the descriptive phrases are more than the familiar lyrics from Handel’s Messiah or words we read on a Christmas card. This is perhaps the most comprehensive description of Jesus given anywhere in Scripture. Jesus once asked, “Who do you say that I am?” Isaiah answered that very question more than 600 years before Jesus was born. This Advent I am looking at Jesus through the lens of these prophetic Words. This week...
Wonderful Counselor:
I tend to use the word “wonderful” to describe the best of the ordinary—the meal was wonderful, that dress looks wonderful, those children behaved wonderfully. But “wonderful” in this Old Testament passage means so much more. Its Hebrew root word is “pala” or “pele” meaning a marvel, a miracle, or something incomprehensible. Jesus is a wonderful counselor. His counsel is beyond understanding. This is a truth I have experienced.
Who else has the patience to listen to every rant and rave that I may have and invites me to come to Him with every concern? (Philippians 4:6)
Who possesses all truth and wisdom? (John 2:25) (Colossians 2:3)
Who else knows everything about me and what I might be going through? (Psalm 139:1-2)
Who fully understands everything that might tempt me? (Hebrews 4:15)
Who else offers sympathy in the midst of His counsel? (Hebrews 4:15)
Who else has perfect counsel because He knows everything that is in my heart? (John 2:25)
Who else can make my path straight when I have wandered? (Proverbs 3:6)
Who else forgives anything that I have done without holding a grudge? (1 John 1:9)
Who else guides me with no selfish motive because He loved me first? (1 John 4:19)
Who else offers mercy and grace in every time of need? (Hebrews 4:16)
And who else offers unlimited office hours, any day, any hour?
Jesus, that’s Who.
He is my Wonderful—magnificent, incomprehensible, miraculous—Counselor.
Next week…. Mighty God