Our Messianic Hope: Isaiah 9:6-7

There is so much to be excited about when a baby is born. There is new hope for the future, and a name to be selected. Will the child be named after a family member? A friend? Will the name be trendy? Traditional? Will the child like the name? In Jewish tradition, names are carefully chosen and of great significance. It was no different in biblical times.

There was one baby whose coming would be so extraordinary that even local astrologers saw the signs in the stars and came to pay homage. The very birth of this child caused King Herod to be troubled. (Matthew 2: 1-3)

The prophet Isaiah calls this child, “Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace” (Isaiah 9:6). Two of these indicate that this descendant of David would be God in the flesh. Names in the Bible often indicate character, and the names Isaiah gave to Him speak to the very nature of the Davidic king.

What child in that time could live up to the name “eternal Father,” Avi-ad, not to mention “Mighty God,” El-Gibbor? How could an earthly King be “Mighty God”? In Isaiah 10:21, the title “Mighty God” is reserved for God alone. Isaiah 9:6-7 explains that David’s descendant would be born of a woman, a real physical offshoot of the Davidic household, yet fully God.

A common theme running throughout the Old Testament (and the New Testament) is the eternal reign of King David. In 2 Samuel, God makes His covenant with King David. The Lord says,“When your days are complete and you lie down with your fathers, I will raise up your descendant after you, who will come forth from you, and I will establish his kingdom” (2 Samuel 7:12). Isaiah 9:7 picks up this same sentiment.

Jesus, the Jewish Messiah, born in Bethlehem, sent to bring peace to the world by reconciling us to the Father, and making us justified (Romans 5:9-11). The greatest hope we have in this baby, Jesus, is in His full adult life, His ministry, His death and resurrection, which give everlasting life and salvation to all who believe in Him.  We rejoice in this child’s birth because He is the Savior of the world! He truly is, “Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and Prince of Peace.”

Please pray with me: “Thank you Lord for this season of Hanukkah and Christmas in which we rejoice in the birth of Jesus the Messiah. We pray that we would experience Your peace and presence during this special time of year. We pray that all people would call upon His name, to the Jew first and also to the Greek (Romans 1:16).”