Child with Four Names – part 4

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Christmas

part 1 is available here

part 2 is available here

part 3 is available here

Isaiah 9:6 describes the character of Messiah by a series of four compound names. We have already discussed the first three: Wonderful Counselor (lit. a wonder of a counselor); Mighty God (el gibbor); Father Forever (Everlasting Father). Finally, the fourth name is Prince of Peace (sar-shalom). The Messiah will not bring peace to his people by brutality or slashing violence. The peace He brings first accomplishes reconciliation between God and man and then flows out as peaceful relationships with others.

Child with Four Names- part 3

Tags

Christmas

part 1 is available here

part 2 is available here

The character of Messiah is described in Isaiah 9:6 by a series of four compound names: Wonderful Counselor (lit. a wonder of a counselor); Mighty God (el gibbor). The third name is Father Forever (Everlasting Father).  I have translated it in this order because the primary emphasis is on the Messiah’s personal relationship to His people. Again, ancient monarchs were often called “Father,” but they seldom had their people’s best interest in mind. The Messiah, however, will be a Father Forever to his own; perhaps a Father that many have never experienced; a Father that will never leave, a Father who understands, a Father who gives his life, and whose plans are motivated by deep love and concern for His children.

The Child with Four Names

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Christmas

Isaiah 9:6 is one of the most pregnant (excuse the pun) verses in the Bible describing the promised Messiah. First his nature:  a “Child that is born” (born of a woman, emphasizing his humanity- one of us, Heb. 4:15); a “Son that is given” (Isaiah 7:14- “a virgin shall conceive and bring forth a Son, emphasizing his deity); a “government will be on his shoulders” (a royal lineage, emphasizing his authority). Secondly, we read about his character described by a series of four compound names beginning with Wonderful Counselor (lit. a wonder of a counselor).