Moment of Meditation Wonderful Counselor (Isaiah 9:6)

"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."
(Isaiah 9:6)

Wonderful Counselor

This morning we begin looking at the most familiar passage of names for Jesus in the Old Testament prophets. We begin with "Wonderful Counselor". What is a "Counselor"? And what does it mean for Jesus to be a "Wonderful Counselor"?

Let's first look at the word "Counselor". It seems to be a simple enough word. Generically, it's someone who gives advice. In ancient times, however, it was also a title for the ruler of the land. After all, the king or queen was the highest authority in the land so everyone sought their advice.

Now, let's see the word "Wonderful". It truly means "full of wonder" in the Hebrew. It's an extraordinary, hard to be understood item. Isaiah's not calling Jesus hard to understand. On the contrary, grasping just how much He understands about life and the Law and God fills people with wonder. It's all over the Bible--especially in His enemies. They're filled with awe and wonder over all the things He knows without their strict instruction. He was a simple man who had profound ideas.

This combination of words brings about the ideal of such a ruler who inspired awe and wonder in their subjects over their knowledge. Solomon is touted to be the smartest man to ever live. Isaiah here is prophesying about a ruler coming that's EVEN SMARTER than Solomon. Not a man endowed with God-given wisdom, but the God Himself who bestows that wisdom on those who have faith in Him as their Savior from sins.

This is the Jesus who is ruling the hearts and minds of His followers. This is the Jesus who we can only sit and stare in awe and wonder over all the things He has done for us through His birth, life and death. Spend a moment to think on these things. Amen.