For a child is born to us,
a son is given to us.
The government will rest on his shoulders.
And he will be called:
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
His government and its peace
will never end.
He will rule with fairness and justice from the throne of his ancestor David
for all eternity.
The passionate commitment of the LORD of Heaven’s Armies
will make this happen! (Isaiah 9:6–7 NLT)
When I look at this passage, I am struck by the description of a great leader, a great King. A king is someone who is meant to rule, to lead, to govern. The government of this King will rest on his shoulders. This passage is intended to describe this King and what would characterize his rule. The character and the values of a ruler will describe their leadership. A ruler and their rule cannot be separated from each other.
The names or titles given to this King describe the awesome extent of his reign. Let’s briefly consider these names. This King is called “Wonderful Counselor,” or, literally, wonder of a counselor; he will know the right way to go, and his leading will be exceptional and wonderful. This King is called “Mighty God;” he rules with the power of God and does not just know the right way to go, he can also make it happen by God’s almighty power. This King is called “Everlasting Father;” he will rule with the intimacy, provision, and care of a father for his children. Earthly fathers will at some point leave their children, but this King will reign in the lives of his people forever. This King is called “Prince of Peace;” his rule will bring wholeness and well-being to his people. It will be a just and righteous rule that will bring what is best to all of creation.
What an incredible picture of this coming King! What is even more incredible is that this prophecy of Isaiah speaks to a child being born, a son being given. This King and Kingdom will be incarnated in the life of a human being who is born just like us. The Messianic qualities described here will be found in the flesh and bone and personhood of a man. Notice that it says this child is born to us and this son is given to us. This prophecy speaks to the eternal, everlasting, and best rule of God being brought into our lives. This rule and reign would be personal – it would be for us. This prophecy was fulfilled in the birth of Jesus. Jesus came as a baby and a son, but he did not stay a child. The rule of Jesus is as Savior and as Lord. He is the King described by each of the titles given in this prophecy.
How are you living in and through the reign of Jesus in your life today? How is Jesus the Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace? Does the rule of your life rest on the shoulders of the gift of God we celebrate at Christmas?
Dr. Harry Kelm is the executive director of the North American Baptist Conference.