“For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor …”
(Isa 9:6, NKJV)
In the previous teaching we discussed the fact that with the passing of time Christ became the visible Face of God, under a variety of names. One name in particular, the Angel of the Lord, or Messenger of God, is most often used. We also pointed out that in the Old Testament He was already known as the Word, a Name John uses as point of reference when writing about the Anointed One.
Another beautiful example of Christ’s name in the context of the Old Testament is found in Judges 13:17-18, where Manoah asked the Angel of the Lord: “What is your name? And the Angel of the LORD said to him, “Why do you ask My name, seeing it is wonderful?”
In Isa 9:6 we find this prophecy concerning the coming Messiah: “For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given; and the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful …” Clearly this Angel/Messenger of God was also called Wonderful. His name is also Jesus!
In the original Hebrew the Name “Wonderful” can mean “wonderful, incomprehensible, extraordinary, be surpassing, be extraordinary, separate by distinguishing action, to show oneself wonderful or marvellous” (BDB). But according to Strongs it can also mean “secret”. How mysterious is this Redeemer! Indeed Prov 25:2 is true: “It is the glory of God to conceal a matter, but the glory of kings is to search out a matter.” Alas this is a King (Rev 5:10) who needs to be sought out by kings (Matt 6:33). When you find Him, you indeed find One separated by distinguishing action.
During the first century after Christ the Septateuch – the Old Testament translated from Hebrew into Greek, was mostly used. It is interesting to note how it translates this verse – “For a child is born to us, and a son is given to us, whose government is upon his shoulder: and his name is called the Messenger of great counsel: for I will bring peace upon the princes, and health to him.” (Brenton’s LXX).
Indeed He is called “Wonderful, Counselor”.
This Messenger was the Anointed One as He had the same Spirit as God. When in Luke 4 He opens the scroll of Isaiah, He quotes from the prophecy made about Him: “The Spirit of the LORD is upon Me, because He has anointed Me to preach the gospel to the poor.” The Messenger of God brings the gospel to mankind. This is a profound message, one He already anticipated in Deut 33:27 – “The eternal God is your refuge.” The greatest mystery of all ages is encapsulated in this statement – “Jesus answered and said to him, “If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home with him.” (John 14:23).
- Sela: Research the word “incarnation” and consider its meaning prayerfully.
- Read: 1 Chr 18; Jer 44; Col 3
- Memorise: Col 3:3-4
- For a deeper understanding: Read chapter 5 of J.I. Packer’s book Knowing God.
