For Those Who Despair

KEY VERSE: “To us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” —Isaiah 9:6, New International Version

SELECTED SCRIPTURE: Isaiah 9:1-7

OUR LORD JESUS was born into the world as a perfect man to provide the corresponding price for Adam’s transgression. Many had looked for Messiah to come at various times in history, but none knew that God was preparing a great gift for them.

The work of redemption was accomplished at our Lord’s First Advent, and he will eventually be worshiped and highly exalted by the whole world. Because of his faithfulness to God, the rightful authority of governing will be given to him, and he will have total power to execute justice and judgment over the affairs of the world. When his reign begins he will assume the various offices and powers outlined in our text.

The Prophet Isaiah reveals that the glorified Jesus will be a ‘Wonderful’ one to exercise this power. He will be the true embodiment of justice, wisdom, love, and power—as representative of the Heavenly Father. As the world’s ‘Counselor’ he will guide, direct, and instruct the human family with the desire to lead them back to harmony with the laws of righteousness.

The title ‘Mighty God’ suggests that the glorified Jesus will be second only to the Most High God himself, in power, and above all the angelic hosts. The Father’s plan was to send him for the very purpose of restoring mankind to life.

The term ‘Everlasting Father’ points to the great life-giver. He purchased mankind with his blood, and will be the life-giver to the world.

Jesus’ title, ‘Prince of Peace’, will be a reality during the work of reconstruction and reconciliation, during the kingdom. It will require the entire Millennial Age to finally put down all unrighteousness and rebellion, and there will be no end to his rule of peace and goodwill among mankind.—Isa. 9:5-7; Rev. 20:6

Isaiah speaks of two tribes, Zebulun and Naphtali (vs. 1), who were part of the ten-tribe breakaway kingdom called Ephriam. They had been humbled by the Assyrians, and he describes their condition as being one of gloom and distress. There was hope for the future, however, as centuries later Jesus did many noble and mighty works during his earthly ministry in that very land of Galilee. “The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned.”—Isa. 9:2, NIV

Jesus was the great light of the world that Isaiah described. The dawning light of Isaiah’s prophecy will become the great light of the kingdom.

The prophecy continues with reference to the nation of Israel—the nation to be enlarged and increased with joy (vs. 3), “As in the day of Midian’s defeat, you have shattered the yoke that burdens them, the bar across their shoulders, the rod of their oppressor.” (Isa. 9:4, NIV) Special power was exercised by God through the hand of Gideon against Israel’s oppressors, which is symbolic of a grander deliverance at the end of the age. Israel, and the entire world, will be set free.

Our Lord will establish an everlasting kingdom of peace, and he will reign on the throne of David. As a king on Israel’s throne, David represented our Lord, who will serve as earth’s greater king.

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