Wonderful Counsellor and Mighty God
Text Isaiah 9:6b Time 10 12 08 Place Childs hill Baptist Church
Have you ever seen a strong man competition? Or perhaps weightlifting or something like that? It can be interesting for a while. More interesting is something like ‘Brain of Britain’ or 'Mastermind'. I’ve never seen a competition looking for both brains and brawn, wisdom and power. Not always, but it tends to be that those who are thick in the arms are also thick in the head.
I want us to consider tonight one who is both all wise and all powerful. We’re looking at Isaiah 9:6. We’ve already said that this text is clearly a prophecy about the Messiah or Christ. It is one of two famous texts found in the ‘Book of Immanuel’ (Isaiah 7-12). The other is 7:14 Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel. We made the point that the verse shows that the only hope for us is in a Child, a Son to be born and that one is the one Isaiah prophesies here – the Lord Jesus Christ, who was born in Bethlehem some 2000 years ago. He is both human – the child born to Mary, and divine – the Son given by God. He has come to his people – to all who are his by faith. We can be absolutely confident in him because, as Isaiah puts it here, The government shall be on his shoulders – the Lord Jesus is the great King of Kings and Lord of Lords – he is the Sovereign Lord whose kingdom can never fail. But more than that, Isaiah goes on to say And he will be called Wonderful Counsellor, etc. Already in 7:14 we are told that the child to be born to the virgin will be called Immanuel. As here, this is not a personal name but simply a name that shows us his character. People today tend to choose names for their sound. They want a name that sounds masculine (Samuel, Joshua, Daniel or Jack) or feminine (Emma, Emily, Chloe or Sophie). If the name has a good meaning all the better but it is not the most important thing. In the Bible the meaning of a name is usually more important. Here certainly Isaiah’s concern is not over what the Messiah will be called but over his character, his nature. He was eventually called Jesus/Yeshua – he saves or the LORD saves. Here, however, we have a series of names or titles that sum up in a large measure the character or person of Messiah. So what I want us to do today is to look at these important titles given to Messiah through Isaiah.
Before we look at them there are two important things to sort out.
1. It is important to recognise that they are spoken of Messiah.
Before we look at them there are two important things to sort out.
1. It is important to recognise that they are spoken of Messiah.
There have been Jewish commentators who have tried to understand the verse thus, ‘God who is called and who is Wonder, Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, calls his name the Prince of Peace’ but the verse will not bear that and is clearly all about this Child who is born, this Son who is given.
2. Then there is the question of how many names are used of him. The answers vary greatly.
1 Just one name? It has been suggested that we render all the words as one. You know perhaps how some of the more eccentric Puritans sometimes gave their children names such as ‘Praise God’ or ‘Joy in trials’ or even ‘Repent from your sins’. Something similar was known among God’s ancient people. Isaiah himself had a son – Maher-Shalal-Hash-Baz (quick to the plunder, swift to the spoil). The suggestion then is that the name here is ‘A wonderful thing is counselling he who is the Mighty God, the Everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace.’ There are many problems with this idea. One writer calls it ‘sesquipidalian’ (cumbersome and awkward) which it certainly is. Another calls it ‘an unparalleled monstrosity’.
2 Many go for five names. That's how the AV deals with it. John Newton in his sermon (a series on the texts of Handel’s ‘Messiah’) takes it that way as does Handel, of course – Wonderful, Counsellor, the Mighty God, the Everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace.
3 Vulgate (1 higher) plumps for 6: Admirabilis, Consiliarus, Deus, Fortis, Pater futuri saeculi, Princeps pacis
4. It is more difficult to argue for 7 or 8 but I suppose one could go for – ‘Wonderful, Counsellor, Mighty One, God, Everlasting One, Father, Prince of Peace’ or even ‘ … Prince, Peace.’
5. It seems most likely, however, that we have here four names as in the NIV. Why?
1. Despite what I have said the last two names stand in such close relation to each other that they must say Everlasting Father and Prince of Peace. The other two pairs also appear to be related quite closely.
2. The way the Massoretic text (ie the main Jewish text) is accentuated suggests four names.
3. This gives the most likely symmetry.
4. By taking the names this way we preserve a further suggested symmetry in that there is an emphasis in the original on the divine and then the human in the first pair and then on the human followed by the divine in the second pair, ie WONDERFUL Counsellor, GOD Almighty, Father EVERLASTING, prince of PEACE.
So we will look this evening at the two phrases Wonderful Counsellor and Mighty God and then another time, God willing, at Everlasting Father and Prince of Peace. In his commentary E J Young says ‘It is one of the saddest points in the entire history of exposition that in the entire history of exposition that so many have refused to see the true import of these glorious names.’ Let’s not make that mistake.
1. Recognise Jesus Christ as the Wonderful Counsellor1. He is a Wonder
2. Then there is the question of how many names are used of him. The answers vary greatly.
1 Just one name? It has been suggested that we render all the words as one. You know perhaps how some of the more eccentric Puritans sometimes gave their children names such as ‘Praise God’ or ‘Joy in trials’ or even ‘Repent from your sins’. Something similar was known among God’s ancient people. Isaiah himself had a son – Maher-Shalal-Hash-Baz (quick to the plunder, swift to the spoil). The suggestion then is that the name here is ‘A wonderful thing is counselling he who is the Mighty God, the Everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace.’ There are many problems with this idea. One writer calls it ‘sesquipidalian’ (cumbersome and awkward) which it certainly is. Another calls it ‘an unparalleled monstrosity’.
2 Many go for five names. That's how the AV deals with it. John Newton in his sermon (a series on the texts of Handel’s ‘Messiah’) takes it that way as does Handel, of course – Wonderful, Counsellor, the Mighty God, the Everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace.
3 Vulgate (1 higher) plumps for 6: Admirabilis, Consiliarus, Deus, Fortis, Pater futuri saeculi, Princeps pacis
4. It is more difficult to argue for 7 or 8 but I suppose one could go for – ‘Wonderful, Counsellor, Mighty One, God, Everlasting One, Father, Prince of Peace’ or even ‘ … Prince, Peace.’
5. It seems most likely, however, that we have here four names as in the NIV. Why?
1. Despite what I have said the last two names stand in such close relation to each other that they must say Everlasting Father and Prince of Peace. The other two pairs also appear to be related quite closely.
2. The way the Massoretic text (ie the main Jewish text) is accentuated suggests four names.
3. This gives the most likely symmetry.
4. By taking the names this way we preserve a further suggested symmetry in that there is an emphasis in the original on the divine and then the human in the first pair and then on the human followed by the divine in the second pair, ie WONDERFUL Counsellor, GOD Almighty, Father EVERLASTING, prince of PEACE.
So we will look this evening at the two phrases Wonderful Counsellor and Mighty God and then another time, God willing, at Everlasting Father and Prince of Peace. In his commentary E J Young says ‘It is one of the saddest points in the entire history of exposition that in the entire history of exposition that so many have refused to see the true import of these glorious names.’ Let’s not make that mistake.
1. Recognise Jesus Christ as the Wonderful Counsellor1. He is a Wonder
The Word Isaiah uses is not actually wonderful but wonder – that is why the AV translates as it does. I rarely mention what a word is in Hebrew or Greek because to most it is meaningless. The word here though is Pele. I don’t know where the great Brazilian footballer go this nickname but he was often described as a wonder – an inexplicable bundle of talent who was delight to watch and the despair of his opponents on the football field. The Christ is a wonder not in that sense, of course, but his great wisdom, would cause similar astonishment and excitement when he came to this world. The word is used in Psalm 78:12 to refer to the wonderful miracles God did in saving his people out of Egypt. Think of the wonder of the miracle of crossing the Red Sea. Interestingly, in Judges 13:18 when Samson’s future father Manoah asks the visiting angel his name he says it is wonderful ie beyond understanding.
The words wonder and wonderful have become rather devalued in our day. Marvel or marvellous have suffered a similar fate. A wonderful/marvellous opportunity or a wonderful person/a marvel can sometimes be rather ordinary in reality. We should be in no doubt about the strength of the word here, however. The Messiah is clearly God – mysterious and amazing as it is – that is who he would be. Everything about him would be and was and is wonderful in the highest sense – truly amazing, supernatural. From his supernatural conception to his supernatural resurrection and ascension he was a great Wonder.
2. He is a Counsellor
The words wonder and wonderful have become rather devalued in our day. Marvel or marvellous have suffered a similar fate. A wonderful/marvellous opportunity or a wonderful person/a marvel can sometimes be rather ordinary in reality. We should be in no doubt about the strength of the word here, however. The Messiah is clearly God – mysterious and amazing as it is – that is who he would be. Everything about him would be and was and is wonderful in the highest sense – truly amazing, supernatural. From his supernatural conception to his supernatural resurrection and ascension he was a great Wonder.
2. He is a Counsellor
A counsellor is someone who gives you advice, who helps by speaking to you about your needs and what to do. We hear a lot about counsellors these days. Whenever there is a disaster of some sort such as this terrible rail crash a few months ago we are now used to hearing that both the victims and those dealing with them, such as t he police and ambulance drivers. It is recognised that such disasters can be hard to cope with and some are not equipped to face it on their own. And so they are offered professional counselling by those who have been trained to various levels and in various techniques and schools of thought. Modern society recognises that good counselling can be very therapeutic and make the difference between surviving and going under. Now the Messiah will be Wonderful Counsellor.
When a king is on the throne people look to him for wisdom and guidance. The wisdom of Solomon, of course, is famous. Now Jesus was one greater than Solomon – what a wonderful counsellor he was and is. What ever our need we should go to him. All the treasures of wisdom and knowledge are hidden in him. In Isaiah 11:2 we are told The Spirit of the LORD will rest on him - the Spirit of wisdom and of understanding, the Spirit of counsel and of power, the Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD. Luke tells us (2:40) that the baby of Bethlehem grew and became strong; he was filled with wisdom, and the grace of God was upon him. When he came to his home town, he began teaching the people in their synagogue, and they were amazed. Where did this man get this wisdom and these miraculous powers? they asked (Matthew 13:54).
The idea is perhaps that whereas a king normally surround themselves with many advisors to help them rule this one will not need such counsellors – he himself is the Wonderful Counsellor to whom we all may go in complete confidence. Of course, God’s wisdom is foolishness to men but once our eyes are open to see it what wisdom shines out.
So what we are saying here is that Jesus was both a supernatural counsellor and one who gave supernatural counsel. Think of some of the things he said. For example
When a king is on the throne people look to him for wisdom and guidance. The wisdom of Solomon, of course, is famous. Now Jesus was one greater than Solomon – what a wonderful counsellor he was and is. What ever our need we should go to him. All the treasures of wisdom and knowledge are hidden in him. In Isaiah 11:2 we are told The Spirit of the LORD will rest on him - the Spirit of wisdom and of understanding, the Spirit of counsel and of power, the Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD. Luke tells us (2:40) that the baby of Bethlehem grew and became strong; he was filled with wisdom, and the grace of God was upon him. When he came to his home town, he began teaching the people in their synagogue, and they were amazed. Where did this man get this wisdom and these miraculous powers? they asked (Matthew 13:54).
The idea is perhaps that whereas a king normally surround themselves with many advisors to help them rule this one will not need such counsellors – he himself is the Wonderful Counsellor to whom we all may go in complete confidence. Of course, God’s wisdom is foolishness to men but once our eyes are open to see it what wisdom shines out.
So what we are saying here is that Jesus was both a supernatural counsellor and one who gave supernatural counsel. Think of some of the things he said. For example
Matthew 11:28-30 Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light. If we go to him all will be well despite our troubles.
13:24-26 If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will find it. What good will it be for a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul? Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul?
Of course, Jesus’s wisdom not confined to his own words – all of Scripture is breathed out by the Spirit of Christ. It is all useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness. It is the Scriptures that are able to make us wise to salvation.
Warning: Isaiah lived in days when many thought themselves wise but they were in fact very foolish. This is one of the biggest problems facing people today. We are convinced that we are wise and so we have become fools. Proverbs 26:12 Do you see a man wise in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for him. Don’t make that mistake. It is only by going to the Wonderful Counsellor Jesus that we have any hope at all. Yet how few will go to him. There is no counsel if you refuse to go to him. Humble yourself and go to Jesus and to his Word for guidance, for wisdom.
13:24-26 If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will find it. What good will it be for a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul? Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul?
Of course, Jesus’s wisdom not confined to his own words – all of Scripture is breathed out by the Spirit of Christ. It is all useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness. It is the Scriptures that are able to make us wise to salvation.
Warning: Isaiah lived in days when many thought themselves wise but they were in fact very foolish. This is one of the biggest problems facing people today. We are convinced that we are wise and so we have become fools. Proverbs 26:12 Do you see a man wise in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for him. Don’t make that mistake. It is only by going to the Wonderful Counsellor Jesus that we have any hope at all. Yet how few will go to him. There is no counsel if you refuse to go to him. Humble yourself and go to Jesus and to his Word for guidance, for wisdom.
Encouragement: Jesus is the wisdom of God. He came with a perfect plan for the salvation of his people. It cannot fail. Praise God. All wisdom found in him. Oh yes we are fools by nature – how many mistakes we make but if we go to him he will guide u and help us and make us wise. Believer are you seeking his counsel daily? Are you acting on it? We slide back when we rely on our own wisdom. 1 Corinthians 3:18, 19 Do not deceive yourselves. If any one of you thinks he is wise by the standards of this age, he should become a ‘fool’ so that he may become wise. For the wisdom of this world is foolishness in God's sight.2. Recognise Jesus Christ as the Mighty God1. He is God
As you know there are many who deny that Jesus the Messiah is God. When we come to this next phrase then these people have great problems. The title Wonder of a Counsellor suggests Godhead but it could possibly mean someone less than God. Even confronted by this next title some try to wriggle out of the idea that he is God. It is true that sometimes men are referred to in Scripture as being ‘like gods’ but there is no example of the title here El Gibbor being used for a man. The translation ‘Great hero’ then is not adequate. This is clear from 10:20, 21 for example - In that day the remnant of Israel, the survivors of the house of Jacob, will no longer rely on him who struck them down but will truly rely on the LORD, the Holy One of Israel. A remnant will return, a remnant of Jacob will return to El Gibbor.There can be no real question that this is what is being said here. It’s an amazing contrast – he is a child, says Isaiah, yet he is also God. Isaiah was moved by the Spirit to reveal this even in those far off days. Now Jesus has come we can see that he is God – God come in the flesh. If he was not God he could not save as he does. It is because he is both man and God that he is the Perfect Saviour. That is why we must go to him. ‘God of God, Light of light, Lo he abhors not the virgin’s womb, Very God, begotten not created’
2. He is Mighty
2. He is Mighty
He is called here Mighty God. The word Gibbor really means ‘hero’. We could translate ‘God of a hero’ or ‘Heroic God’. In John 16:33 Jesus says In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world. What a word of encouragement to those who trust in him. He is not only the wisdom of God but the power of God also. His power is without limit. Remember his words at the end of Matthew (28:18) All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. God is putting everything under his feet. When you go to a human counsellor than hopefully they will give you good advice but it is up to you to put it into practice – they cannot do it for you. Good counsellors are advised to give those they counsel ‘homework’ to do. But the Lord Jesus is Mighty God and he not only counsels perfectly but he gives the strength to his people to live for God’s glory. He not only has a perfect plan but he has brought it to completion and he continues to work it out in the lives of his people.
The most obvious example of his power is his resurrection. Death was not able to hold him down. He triumphed over it. How? Because he is Almighty God. The same power that raised him from the dead is now at work in believers.
Do you know that power at work in your life? Go to Christ and know it.
The most obvious example of his power is his resurrection. Death was not able to hold him down. He triumphed over it. How? Because he is Almighty God. The same power that raised him from the dead is now at work in believers.
Do you know that power at work in your life? Go to Christ and know it.
Warning: It is no good relying on our own power. It's easy to feel strong when all is going well but think of the future.
Encouragement: Are you aware of your own weakness – how easily you fall. But if you rely on him he will give you strength and enable you to stand.
Believer are you relying on his strength not your own? if you're slipping back may be it is because of that.
Jesus is a man – he is able to sympathise with us and draw alongside us like no other. Yet he is also Almighty God. He can transform us like no other. He is the Perfect Saviour. If we reject him what hope is there at the judgement?
Jesus is a man – he is able to sympathise with us and draw alongside us like no other. Yet he is also Almighty God. He can transform us like no other. He is the Perfect Saviour. If we reject him what hope is there at the judgement?
