Isaiah 9

“For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given; and the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of His government and peace there will be no end. Upon the throne of David and over his kingdom, to order it and establish it with judgment and justice from that time forward, even forever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.” (Isaiah 9:6–7, NKJV)

It is interesting that in the midst of judgments against Judah and Israel, Isaiah prophesies about the coming Messiah. Even when God judges He remembers mercy, for mercy triumphs over judgment (James 2:13).

From this prophecy (usually read at Christmas) we see that the Messiah would be both the Son of Man and the Son of God. Who else but Jesus Christ could fulfill this? Each of His names is worth pondering.

-Wonderful Counselor. Do you need wisdom and counsel in what to do, where to go, and what to say? There is no counsel like the counsel that Jesus gives by His Spirit.

-Mighty God. This proves the deity of Christ. Because He is the Mighty God, there is nothing He cannot do.

-Everlasting Father. Bible scholars say that this means He was the originator from eternity. As the apostle John tells us: “He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made.” (John 1:1-3)

-Prince of Peace. If we know Jesus, then we know peace. But it is impossible to have real peace without having Christ dwelling in you.

Christ is all these things to those who know Him. Moreover, He is coming again to establish His kingdom on earth. Man struggles to justly rule over other men. But when Christ returns, His government and peace will never end! We look forward to that day and say, “Come, Lord Jesus, come!”