Advent24 - Day 3
Tuesday – December 3
Read
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. 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. (Isa. 9:6–7)
Reflect
To Us a Child is Born
By Stephen Witmer
Birth announcements are wonderful ways of sharing and spreading joy.
Seven years ago, my wife and I received a treasured postcard in the mail after our first niece was born into the world. We read it carefully, studied the photo, and celebrated her arrival.
In one of the most studied and celebrated Bible passages at Christmas, Isaiah announces the arrival of a child.
The prophet Isaiah wasn’t trying to write a modern birth announcement. But comparing his description of this baby boy to the birth announcements we send and receive illumines the distinctive splendor of this particular baby. Four things set Isaiah’s announcement apart.
1. This announcement is sent really early.
Some birth announcements go out soon after the baby is born, and others a bit later, depending on the organizational ability (and sleep levels) of the parents. But every single birth announcement I’ve ever received was sent after the baby was born. This one is different. It’s sent before the birth — seven hundred years before.
The prophet Isaiah delivered it to the people of Israel while they were facing a threat from the growing superpower of Assyria (which would eventually destroy the northern kingdom of Israel and lead many Jews into captivity). Isaiah addressed this situation by promising the coming of a future King.
The seven-hundred-year delay was not because God was unable to fulfill his promise sooner, but because he wanted to give his people the hope of a future King to sustain them through dark times. The long period between promise and fulfillment was, in fact, a gift from God to his people.
2. Isaiah announces a royal birth.
I once met Charles, the Prince of Wales, at a very fancy reception. We all stood under a beautiful tent on a well-manicured university lawn, enjoying canapés and eagerly awaiting his arrival. When the car pulled up, we all crowded into the receiving line.
I’ve never received a royal birth announcement, but I imagine it’s fancier than most — especially when it announces the birth of the future King. Such an announcement must bear a solemnity and significance ordinary ones do not.
Isaiah announces a royal birth: “the government shall be upon his shoulder” (Isaiah 9:6); “of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end, on the throne of David and over his kingdom” (Isaiah 9:7). In Luke’s Gospel, we overhear another announcement of this same king: “the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end” (Luke 1:32–33).
3. The baby has four different names, each telling us what he will do.
Most babies have just one name on their birth announcement. We would have been confused to discover that my niece had been given three distinct names. But Isaiah announces the birth of a baby with four names: “his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” One name wasn’t sufficient to describe this special child.
Moreover, these names tell us what the baby will do. Imagine reading on a birth announcement, “Excellent violin player, marathon runner, future CEO of major corporation.” Birth announcements don’t list accomplishments. That’s because there are none to list — apart from thumb-sucking, blinking, and drooling.
This baby is different. “Wonderful Counselor” indicates that Jesus will be a supernatural source of extraordinary wisdom — amazing news for those who need guidance. “Mighty God” indicates that Jesus will be divinely strong and powerful — amazing news for those who are weak. “Everlasting Father” indicates that Jesus will care for his people forever, as a father cares for his children — amazing news for those who are alone and unappreciated. “Prince of Peace” indicates that Jesus will bring deep well-being and right relationships — amazing news for all of us who lack peace with each other and with God.
4. These names belong only to God.
Perhaps most shockingly (and spectacularly) is this: the names of this future King are names associated with God. Jesus will be called “Wonderful Counselor.” Later on in Isaiah, we’re told that the Lord God has done “wonderful things” (Isaiah 25:1) and that he is “wonderful in counsel” (Isaiah 28:29). Jesus will be called “Mighty God”; one chapter later, the same title is used of God himself (Isaiah 10:21). Jesus will be called “Everlasting Father”; God is called the Father of his people throughout the Bible (Isaiah 63:16), and only God himself can truly be called the Everlasting Father.
Isaiah guarantees these things will happen, and this king will be born, on the basis of God’s own passionate commitment to fulfilling his purposes for his people: “The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this” (Isaiah 9:7).
And Isaiah was right. God did deliver on this promise. Jesus was born seven hundred years later and fulfilled every promise announced. God came among us in the person of Jesus.
He took on flesh in order to give us wisdom, protection, fatherly care, and peace as we enter into relationship with him.
https://www.desiringgod.org/articles/to-us-a-child-is-born
Respond
How do these names of Jesus (Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace) impact how you think about and relate with Him? Reflect on them and Him.
Rejoice
It Came upon a Midnight Clear
It came upon the midnight clear,
that glorious song of old,
from angels bending near the earth
to touch their harps of gold:
"Peace on the earth, good will to men,
from heaven's all-gracious King."
The world in solemn stillness lay,
to hear the angels sing.
Still through the cloven skies they come
with peaceful wings unfurled,
and still their heavenly music floats
o'er all the weary world;
above its sad and lowly plains,
they bend on hovering wing,
and ever o'er its Babel sounds
the blessed angels sing.
And ye, beneath life's crushing load,
whose forms are bending low,
who toil along the climbing way
with painful steps and slow,
look now! for glad and golden hours
come swiftly on the wing.
O rest beside the weary road,
and hear the angels sing!
For lo! the days are hastening on,
by prophet seen of old,
when with the ever-circling years
shall come the time foretold
when peace shall over all the earth
its ancient splendors fling,
and the whole world send back the song
which now the angels sing.
Read
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. 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. (Isa. 9:6–7)
Reflect
To Us a Child is Born
By Stephen Witmer
Birth announcements are wonderful ways of sharing and spreading joy.
Seven years ago, my wife and I received a treasured postcard in the mail after our first niece was born into the world. We read it carefully, studied the photo, and celebrated her arrival.
In one of the most studied and celebrated Bible passages at Christmas, Isaiah announces the arrival of a child.
The prophet Isaiah wasn’t trying to write a modern birth announcement. But comparing his description of this baby boy to the birth announcements we send and receive illumines the distinctive splendor of this particular baby. Four things set Isaiah’s announcement apart.
1. This announcement is sent really early.
Some birth announcements go out soon after the baby is born, and others a bit later, depending on the organizational ability (and sleep levels) of the parents. But every single birth announcement I’ve ever received was sent after the baby was born. This one is different. It’s sent before the birth — seven hundred years before.
The prophet Isaiah delivered it to the people of Israel while they were facing a threat from the growing superpower of Assyria (which would eventually destroy the northern kingdom of Israel and lead many Jews into captivity). Isaiah addressed this situation by promising the coming of a future King.
The seven-hundred-year delay was not because God was unable to fulfill his promise sooner, but because he wanted to give his people the hope of a future King to sustain them through dark times. The long period between promise and fulfillment was, in fact, a gift from God to his people.
2. Isaiah announces a royal birth.
I once met Charles, the Prince of Wales, at a very fancy reception. We all stood under a beautiful tent on a well-manicured university lawn, enjoying canapés and eagerly awaiting his arrival. When the car pulled up, we all crowded into the receiving line.
I’ve never received a royal birth announcement, but I imagine it’s fancier than most — especially when it announces the birth of the future King. Such an announcement must bear a solemnity and significance ordinary ones do not.
Isaiah announces a royal birth: “the government shall be upon his shoulder” (Isaiah 9:6); “of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end, on the throne of David and over his kingdom” (Isaiah 9:7). In Luke’s Gospel, we overhear another announcement of this same king: “the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end” (Luke 1:32–33).
3. The baby has four different names, each telling us what he will do.
Most babies have just one name on their birth announcement. We would have been confused to discover that my niece had been given three distinct names. But Isaiah announces the birth of a baby with four names: “his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” One name wasn’t sufficient to describe this special child.
Moreover, these names tell us what the baby will do. Imagine reading on a birth announcement, “Excellent violin player, marathon runner, future CEO of major corporation.” Birth announcements don’t list accomplishments. That’s because there are none to list — apart from thumb-sucking, blinking, and drooling.
This baby is different. “Wonderful Counselor” indicates that Jesus will be a supernatural source of extraordinary wisdom — amazing news for those who need guidance. “Mighty God” indicates that Jesus will be divinely strong and powerful — amazing news for those who are weak. “Everlasting Father” indicates that Jesus will care for his people forever, as a father cares for his children — amazing news for those who are alone and unappreciated. “Prince of Peace” indicates that Jesus will bring deep well-being and right relationships — amazing news for all of us who lack peace with each other and with God.
4. These names belong only to God.
Perhaps most shockingly (and spectacularly) is this: the names of this future King are names associated with God. Jesus will be called “Wonderful Counselor.” Later on in Isaiah, we’re told that the Lord God has done “wonderful things” (Isaiah 25:1) and that he is “wonderful in counsel” (Isaiah 28:29). Jesus will be called “Mighty God”; one chapter later, the same title is used of God himself (Isaiah 10:21). Jesus will be called “Everlasting Father”; God is called the Father of his people throughout the Bible (Isaiah 63:16), and only God himself can truly be called the Everlasting Father.
Isaiah guarantees these things will happen, and this king will be born, on the basis of God’s own passionate commitment to fulfilling his purposes for his people: “The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this” (Isaiah 9:7).
And Isaiah was right. God did deliver on this promise. Jesus was born seven hundred years later and fulfilled every promise announced. God came among us in the person of Jesus.
He took on flesh in order to give us wisdom, protection, fatherly care, and peace as we enter into relationship with him.
https://www.desiringgod.org/articles/to-us-a-child-is-born
Respond
How do these names of Jesus (Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace) impact how you think about and relate with Him? Reflect on them and Him.
Rejoice
It Came upon a Midnight Clear
It came upon the midnight clear,
that glorious song of old,
from angels bending near the earth
to touch their harps of gold:
"Peace on the earth, good will to men,
from heaven's all-gracious King."
The world in solemn stillness lay,
to hear the angels sing.
Still through the cloven skies they come
with peaceful wings unfurled,
and still their heavenly music floats
o'er all the weary world;
above its sad and lowly plains,
they bend on hovering wing,
and ever o'er its Babel sounds
the blessed angels sing.
And ye, beneath life's crushing load,
whose forms are bending low,
who toil along the climbing way
with painful steps and slow,
look now! for glad and golden hours
come swiftly on the wing.
O rest beside the weary road,
and hear the angels sing!
For lo! the days are hastening on,
by prophet seen of old,
when with the ever-circling years
shall come the time foretold
when peace shall over all the earth
its ancient splendors fling,
and the whole world send back the song
which now the angels sing.
Recent
Archive
2024
December
Advent24 - Day 1Advent24 - Day 2Advent24 - Day 3Advent24 - Day 4Advent24 - Day 5Advent24 - Day 6Advent24 - Day 7Advent24 - Day 8Advent24 - Day 9Advent24 - Day 10Advent24 - Day 11Advent24 - Day 12Advent24 - Day 13Advent24 - Day 14Advent24 - Day 15Advent24 - Day 16Advent24 - Day 17Advent24 - Day 18Advent24 - Day 19Advent24 - Day 20Advent24 - Day 21
Categories
no categories
No Comments