Isaías 9
Charles Spurgeon · Citado em PreceptAustin
Isaías 9
Spurgeon comments on Jesus as Counselor exclaiming "How we need Jesus as our Counselor! “It was by a Counselor that this world was ruined. Did not Satan mask himself in the serpent, and counsel the woman with exceeding craftiness, that she should take unto herself of the fruit of the tree of knowledge of good and evil, in the hope that thereby she should be as God? Was it not that evil counsel which provoked our mother to rebel against her Maker, and did it not as the effect of sin, bring death into this world with all its train of woe? Ah! beloved, it was meet that the world should have a Counselor to restore it, if it had a Counselor to destroy it. Adrian Rogers says Counselor "means that not only is Jesus worthy of our praise because He’s wonderful, but oh, how we ought to follow Him because He is our Counselor. Jesus is so full of wisdom. We think we’re so smart, but six thousand years of recorded human history have brought us to the very brink of destruction. But, Jesus is “the wisdom of God.” (1 Corinthians 1:24) Still in the book of Isaiah, turn to Isaiah 11:2: Isaiah continues to speak of our Counselor, and he says, “And the spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD.” (Isaiah 11:2) That’s the Spirit that was upon the Lord Jesus. And now, Jesus is in me, and He is “made unto [me] wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption.” (1 Corinthians 1:30) Some of you this Christmas—you’re floundering about like a ship without a sail and a rudder on a dark and stormy night. You don’t know the will of God. Don’t you think it’s about time you let Jesus, the Counselor, take over your life? His name is Counselor.(The Christmas Story According to Isaiah) GOD IS OUR COUNSELOR We seem to have plenty of counselors today. We have both the secular and the Christian varieties, the paid and the unpaid, the good and the bad, the invited and the uninvited. It seems like everyone has a solution to our problems … even if they can't solve their own! A good counselor will listen, empathize, and point the way to healing, perfectly balancing grace and truth. And during the dark days in which Isaiah wrote, the people were in great need of one. So he swept back the dark clouds, promising that the gloom of the distressed land would one day be lifted, and those “walking in darkness” would admit to seeing “a great light.” The cause of this celebration would be the birth of a child. But not just any child! The breadth of what is said of him so far exceeds human boundaries, even the most profound skeptic would have trouble arguing that the prophet had an earthly prince in mind. He must have been looking forward to the day of the Messiah, the Anointed One, the rightful King. Isaiah saw the child with the royal symbol of government flowing from his shoulders, yet the child was so glorious that one name proved insufficient to describe him. Therefore we find five descriptive titles, including this one: Counselor. In chapter 11, the prophet identified him as a shoot growing from the stump of Jesse. “The Spirit of the Lord will rest on Him—a Spirit of wisdom and understanding, a Spirit of counsel and strength, a Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the Lord” (verse 2). This coming one was to be the counselor of his people. Look at Jesus later as he counseled the woman taken in adultery. He offered her grace but confronted her with the truth. Yes, we have a perfect Counselor in Jesus. But to benefit from his counseling, we must be willing to listen to him, meditating on his Word, and taking his prescription for our healing: our total obedience. (God Is - Kenneth Hemphill) Herbert Lockyer - Counsellor Often these first two names are linked together and made to read "Wonderful-Counsellor," or "Wonder of a Counsellor." The Bible has the combination "Wonderful in Counsel." The Hebrew for "The Spirit of Counsel" is rendered in the LXX Version as "The Angel of great counsel." If we seek divine counsel we shall never walk in darkness. How grateful we should be for a Guiding Mind to think for all, Guiding Heart to feel for all, Guiding Hand to act for all. Forecast: "His name shall be called... Counsellor" (Isa. 9:6). "Who... being his counsellor hath taught him?" (Isa. 40:13). "I beheld... and there was no counsellor" (Isa. 41:28). "Thy testimonies also are... my counsellors" (Ps. 119:24). Fulfillment: "Who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will" (Ephes. 1:11). "The immutability of his counsel" (Heb. 6:17). "Whence hath this Man this wisdom?" (Matt. 13:54). "Christ... the wisdom of God" (I Cor. 1:24). The term Isaiah employed embodied the idea of the perfect wisdom the future Messiah would manifest. Having come as the personification of di-vine wisdom, how foolish we are if we ask not "counsel at the mouth of the LORD"? (Josh. 9:14). Problems and perplexities arise that seem to be insoluble, but we have a Counsellor who can explain all the enigmas of life. With His every other grace, guidance can be ours. He offers to lead us into all truth by His Spirit. We are thrice happy if we can say, "Blessed be the Lord, Who hath given me counsel." J. B. Figgis, in his heart-warming volume on Emmanuel, tells us that "We must steer clear between two opposite dangers: the one, not to ask or to expect counsel; the other, to except it so clearly as to overturn the balanced judgment of older and more experienced Christians. A compass is an excellent thing, and compass and a sail two excellent things; but a ship wants something more than a compass and sail—a ship wants ballast, and this is what some good people utterly and entirely lack. The Word, common sense, and the wishes of others, are, to such people, mere cobwebs, to be brushed aside that the handwriting on the wall may be seen; whereas, it is this notion often that are the cobwebs—the handwriting may be hardly there at all." (All the Messianic Prophecies of the Bible) O Counsellor! Your thousand years One question, tremendous with tears, One awful question vexed our peers But Thou hast come, and now we know Each wave hath an eternal flow, Each leaf a life-time after snow MIGHTY GOD Mighty means having or showing great strength, force, or intensity, having might; being powerful or strong, possessing impressive power. Yes, this little Infant is Mighty. And notice that this One born is not just mighty, not just a baby, not just a Man, but He is God, the God-Man, the mystery of mysteries, God incarnate, God in the flesh, "God con carne" (with flesh)! And He is Mighty for He is the One Who made the world and everything belongs to Him. You may be saying "What's the world coming to?" and the answer is that it is coming to Jesus. It came from Him, it is for Him and in the final act of the divine play of redemption, it all comes back to Him (Rev 19:16+). Adrian Rogers - I was reading that in one, listen, in one drop of water. If you were to take all of the molecules in one drop of water and turn each molecule into a grain of sand, you would have enough material to build a bridge ½ mile wide, two feet thick from New York to San Francisco. That's the molecules in one drop of water. What a mighty God we do serve. Friend, He is the mighty God. There is wealth in His name Mighty God. Mighty God - (El Gibbor) - This could be rendered "God is a Warrior" or "God is mighty." Ultimately this name speaks of God's military might for no enemy will be able to prevail against Him. He has the power to deliver which is exactly what He will do to fulfill Isaiah's prophecy in Isaiah 9:4 (where "You" in context is a reference to Messiah, the "Warrior God" Who supernaturally breaks the yoke and the staff and the rod from Israel.) See Related Resource: Christ Mighty God - El Gibbor In using this name, Isaiah is clearly teaching that the child/son that was to be born was God an interpretation that is supported by the use of the same phrase in the next chapter… A remnant will return, the remnant of Jacob, to the mighty (gibbor) God. (Is 10:21). Clendenen has an interesting comment related to this verse: By itself, this name does not automatically mean that this son is a divine person, because many names include the name of God in them. But the later use of this same name to describe God himself in 10:21 demands that this son be identified with God in a very close manner. No other person ever has God’s name and God is never called Moses, Abram, David, or Jeremiah, so there must be something very special about this son that causes him to have God’s name. (New American Commentary: Isaiah 1-39) El means God and is the last syllable of Immanuel, testifying to the deity of Christ. El or God is contrasted with men (Dt 10:17, Hos 11:9). Jeremiah depicts God as a great warrior… Ah Lord GOD! Behold, Thou hast made the heavens and the earth by Thy great power and by Thine outstretched arm! Nothing is too difficult for Thee, Who showest lovingkindness to thousands, but repayest the iniquity of fathers into the bosom of their children after them, O great and mighty God. The LORD of hosts is His name (Jer 32:16, 17) Adrian Rogers on Mighty God - This little baby that was upon the straw is the Mighty God of Genesis 1. This little baby who held Mary’s hand as a toddler and learned to walk is the One from whose fingertips suns sprang and oceans dripped. He is the Mighty God. This little boy playing with the shavings in Joseph’s carpenter shop is the One who made every tree, and every hill, and every mountain. He is the Mighty God. We have some people today who’d like to take the deity from the Lord Jesus. I wonder what they’re going to do with Isaiah 9:6, where He is called “The mighty God.” (Isaiah 9:6) (The Christmas Story According to Isaiah) Mighty (01368) (gibbor cp related verb gabar = be strong, accomplish, excel, prevail) is from a root which is commonly associated with warfare and has to do with the strength and vitality of the successful warrior. And thus this adjective means powerful, strong, brave, mighty. Warrior. Hero. Mighty man (cp "mighty [gibbor] men of David" - 2Sa 23:8). See discussion of this word group from TWOT - Gibbor Word Group Jehovah is "the God of gods and Lord of lords, the great, the mighty and the awesome God" (Dt 10:17), the "King of glory, Jehovah strong and mighty, Jehovah mighty in battle" (Ps 24:8), "a victorious warrior (gibbor)" (Zeph 3:17), the "Mighty One (gibbor - in context a prophecy of the Messiah)" (Ps 45:3) Gilbrant - This noun is derived from the verb gābbôr, "to be strong; to prevail" (HED #1428). This nominal form, with doubled middle consonant, is an intensive form. The implication of this form is that the bearer of the title is the epitome of the action implied. It occurs 159 times in the Hebrew Bible and has cognates in Aramaic, Syriac and Mandaic. Arabic has a related cognate (jabbar), meaning "omnipotent (God); giant." The noun can denote "powerful" individuals. For example, Nimrod was a "mighty" hunter (Gen. 10:9). The Nephilim were described as the "mighty ones" of old; men of the Name (Gen. 6:4). There are a number of contexts where gābbôr occurs in construct with chayil "wealth; power" (HED #2524). Economically powerful men are denoted by this construction (1 Sam. 9:21; 2 Ki. 15:20; Ruth 2:1). Men of superior ability are likewise covered by this construction (e.g., Jeroboam I, 1 Ki. 11:28). Those proficient at various pursuits are also denoted by the word alone. Those who are "champions" at drinking wine are derided in Isa. 5:22. The economically blessed faithful are noted in Ps. 112:2. Finally, the construction also denotes certain family heads among Exile returnees in Neh. 11:14. It may refer to "vigorous" males, i.e., strong males in their prime. The most common usage of the word is to denote military warriors. It can refer to troops in general (Hos. 10:13; 2 Ki. 24:16). Frequently it denotes troops who have distinguished themselves in battle. Among these are Goliath (1 Sam. 17:4), Saul and Jonathan (2 Sam. 2:4). The word is further used to describe groupings of elite troops. The palace guard is called gibbôrîm (Jer. 26:21). David's "mighty ones" are recorded in a number of contexts, in a number of numeric groupings (three, 2 Sam. 23:9; thirty, 1 Chr. 11:15; also, Solomon's sixty, S.S. 3:7). These are best understood as "heroes" or "champions." The king is celebrated as the warrior par excellence in society (Ps. 45:3). This noun generally denotes those who are not mere warriors, but those who are especially proficient (cf. with non-military usages). The noun is not restricted to humans. Angels are called gibbôrîm in Ps. 103:20. Yahweh is "God of gods, Lord of lords, the great God, the Warrior of warriors" (Deut. 10:17). This imagery is common (Jer. 32:18; Ps. 24:8; Neh. 9:32). The concepts of omnipotence and judgment are conveyed by Yahweh's military prowess. (Complete Biblical Library) W E Vine - גִּבּוֹר, gibbôr Usage Notes: "hero." This word appears 159 times in the Old Testament. The first occurrence of gibbôr is in Gen. 6:4: "There were giants in the earth in those days; and also after that, when the sons of God came in unto the daughters of men, and they bare children to them, the same became mighty men which were of old, men of renown." In the context of battle, the word is better understood to refer to the category of warriors. The gibbôr is the proven warrior; especially is this true when gibbôr is used in combination with ḥayil ("strength"). The kjv gives a literal translation, "mighty men [gibbôr] of valor [ḥayil]," whereas the niv renders the phrase idiomatically, "fighting men" (cf. Josh 1:14+). David, who had proven himself as a warrior, attracted "heroes" to his band while he was being pursued by Saul (2 Sam. 23). When David was enthroned as king, these men became a part of the elite military corps. The phrase gibbôr ḥayil may also refer to a man of a high social class, the landed man who had military responsibilities. Saul came from such a family (1 Sam. 9:1+); so also Jeroboam (1 Kings 11:28). The king symbolized the strength of his kingdom. He had to lead his troops in battle, and as commander he was expected to be a "hero." Early in David's life, he was recognized as a "hero" (1 Sam. 18:7). The king is described as a "hero": "Gird thy sword upon thy thigh, O most Mighty, with thy glory and thy majesty" (Psa. 45:3). The messianic expectation included the hope that the Messiah would be "mighty": "For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder; and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace" (Isa. 9:6). Israel's God was a mighty God (Isa. 10:21). He had the power to deliver: "The Lord thy God in the midst of thee is mighty; he will save, he will rejoice over thee with joy; he will rest in his love, he will joy over thee with singing" (Zeph. 3:17). Jeremiah's moving confession (Jer. 32:17ff.) bears out the might of God in creation (Jer. 32:17) and in redemption (Jer. 32:18ff.). The answer to the emphatic question, "Who is this King of glory?" in Psalm 24 is: "The Lord strong and mighty, the Lord mighty in battle" (Psalm 24:8). The Septuagint gives the following translations: dunatos (“powerful; strong; mighty; able ruler”) and ischuros (related words - ischus and ischuo) (“strong; mighty; powerful”). (Vine's Expository Dictionary of Old Testament and New Testament Words) Gibbor - 150v in NAS = champion(2), great(1), helpers(1), heroes(3), men(3), men of outstanding(1), Mighty(1), mighty(27), mighty man(15), mighty men(57), Mighty One(1), mighty one(2), mighty ones(3), mighty warrior(1), mighty warriors(2), strong(1), strong man(1), valiant warriors(1), valiant*(1), warrior(14), warrior has over another(1), warrior's(1), warriors(17), who is mighty(1). Ge 6:4; 10:8f; Dt 10:17; Josh 1:14; 6:2; 8:3; 10:2, 7; Jdg 5:13, 23; 6:12; 11:1; Ruth 2:1; 1 Sam 2:4; 9:1; 14:52; 16:18; 17:51; 2 Sam 1:19, 21f, 25, 27; 10:7; 16:6; 17:8, 10; 20:7; 23:8f, 16f, 22; 1Kgs 1:8, 10; 11:28; 2Kgs 5:1; 15:20; 24:14, 16; 1Chr 1:10; 5:24; 7:2, 5, 7, 9, 11, 40; 8:40; 9:13; 11:10ff, 19, 24, 26; 12:1, 4, 8, 21, 25, 28, 30; 19:8; 26:6, 31; 27:6; 28:1; 29:24; 2Chr 13:3; 14:8; 17:13f, 16f; 25:6; 26:12; 28:7; 32:3, 21; Ezra 7:28; Neh 3:16; 9:32; 11:14; Job 16:14; Ps 19:5; 24:8; 33:16; 45:3; 52:1; 78:65; 89:19; 103:20; 112:2; 120:4; 127:4; Pr 16:32; 21:22; 30:30; Eccl 9:11; Song 3:7; 4:4; Isa 3:2; 5:22; 9:6; 10:21; 13:3; 21:17; 42:13; 49:24f; Jer 5:16; 9:23; 14:9; 20:11; 26:21; 32:18; 46:5f, 9, 12; 48:14, 41; 49:22; 50:9, 36; 51:30, 56f; Ezek 32:12, 21, 27; 39:18, 20; Dan 11:3; Hos 10:13; Joel 2:7; 3:9ff; Amos 2:14, 16; Obad 1:9; Nah 2:3; Zeph 1:14; 3:17; Zech 9:13; 10:5, 7. Herbert Lockyer - The Mighty God This remarkable feature of this third name is that the word Isaiah uses for God was not "Elohim," which is used not only of God Himself, but of human agents whom He uses. "The Lord said unto Moses, See, I have made thee a god (elohim) to Pharaoh" (Exod. 7:1), but El, which was never used by any Old Testament writer in any lower sense than that of Absolute Deity. It is the term applied directly to Jehovah, "The mighty God" (Isa. 10:21, etc.). He is the Mightiest among the mighty. Forecast: "A great God, a mighty" (Deut. 10:17; Neh. 9:32). "His name shall be called... The mighty God" (Isa. 9:6). "Great in counsel, and mighty in work" (Jer. 32:19). "Thy name is great in might" (Jer. 10:6). Fulfillment: "He that cometh after me is mightier than I" (Matt. 3:11). "His mighty works were done" (Matt. 11:20; Luke 19:37). "All power is given unto me" (Matt. 28:18). "He that is mighty" (Luke 1:49). "In him should all fulness dwell;"... "The fulness of the Godhead bodily" (Col. 1:19; 2:9). The natural meaning of this third name is Mighty God, and nothing less is the Lord who came mighty with the might of God. His was an uncreated might. Immanuel, the name already considered, is the very same name in compound with with us. The Promised, Predicted One, then, was nothing less than God. All the apostles gave witness to Christ that He was "very God of very God." Thomas echoed their faith when he exclaimed, "My Lord and my God." Peter spoke of Him as "Our God and Saviour, Jesus Christ," while Jude added, "Our only Lord God, even our Lord Jesus Christ." Did Jesus Himself not claim "I and My Father are one"—one in the manifestation of the might of deity? We cannot account for His peerless life, His matchless teaching, His efficacious death and Resurrection, His abiding influence on nations and men apart from the fact that He was the mighty God manifest in flesh. If He was only a man, why were there not more men like Him? He was, as John Milton puts it, "The Son of God, with Godlike force endured." (All the Messianic Prophecies of the Bible) GOD IS THE MIGHTY GOD “What a mighty God we serve! / Angels bow before him / Heaven and earth adore him.” So goes a portion of the lyrics from a song that has had a long run of popularity. Perhaps its hand-clapping rhythm is what has made it popular, but the truth of its words is what is most important. We have already looked at two titles that come from this text—Counselor and Everlasting Father. We will look at two others before this book is ended—Prince of Peace and Wonderful. For now, we focus on him as Mighty God. Isaiah wrote to a suffering people whose life had been one of gloom and despair. They needed a word of hope. Yet Isaiah promised that hope was on the way. He saw the dawn of a new light for the people walking in darkness, those who had dwelt in the shadow of death (verse 2). Hope would come through the birth of a child, whose greatness is such that one name will not suffice. The title “Mighty God” speaks of his sovereign might and heroic nature. Like the Israelites of old, we should take comfort in knowing that we serve a God whose power is unlimited. There is nothing you will face today that moves beyond the power of Mighty God. Do you remember the song of praise that Mary sang to God when she visited Elizabeth after learning of the babe in her womb? “Surely, from now on all generations will call me blessed, because the Mighty One has done great things for me” (Luke 1:48–49). She recognized that the miracle in her womb was only possible through the action of sovereign, almighty God. What do you need to surrender to Mighty God? What keeps you from doing so? Is it your lack of conviction that God has all might? Remember Daniel's conclusion: “The people who know their God will be strong and take action” (Daniel 11:32). Those of us who know him by faith can trust in his power and victory. (Kenneth Hemphill - God Is) Joseph Stowell's devotional Holding Out for a Hero - Isaiah 9:6 THE MIGHTY GOD The prospect of the coming of the great light is a cause of joy, as is the promise of the child who will be born to the virgin. Already it has been declared that His name will be Immanuel, and now it is announced that He will be Wonderful, Counsellor and the Mighty God. As ‘Wonderful’ He is beyond human understanding, as ‘Counsellor’ He has all knowledge, and as ‘The Mighty God’ He has all power. His enemies will fall before Him and none will be able to rise against Him. It is He who will enter Jerusalem in triumph as the cry goes out, ‘Who is this King of glory?’, Ps. 24:8, with the glorious response from a remnant Israel filling the air, ‘The Lord strong and mighty’. Before Him the gates will lift up their heads! Those who trust Him can rest on the fact that He will prevail over all His foes. Under His wings they can rest secure! But will His might be such that all compassion will be gone? Power can rob the heart of concern for others. However, when Moses speaks of He who is ‘a great God, a mighty’, Deut. 10:17, he adds that ‘He doth execute the judgment of the fatherless and widow, and loveth the stranger’, v. 18. Jeremiah speaks of Him as ‘the Great, the Mighty God’, Jer. 32:18, who not only executes righteous judgement but ‘shewest lovingkindness unto thousands’. Yes, He who is mighty is also caring and compassionate. His power will never be abused and His compassion will never be exhausted. He, before whom winds and waves were hushed to peace and silence; He, who spoke and demons hasted to obey; He, who could command legions of angels; He it was who stood still at the call of a blind man, stretched out His hand to touch a leper and looked with compassion on a multitude that were as sheep without a shepherd. As we face the anxieties of life let us never forget that our God is mighty. As Jeremiah thinks of this Mighty God he declares that ‘there us nothing too hard for Thee’, Jer. 32:17. No enemy too clever, no mountain too high and no barrier too strong. This is our God! We have trusted Him in the day of His rejection; we will enjoy the fullness of His day of triumph. (John Bennett - Day by Day - Divine Titles) EVERLASTING FATHER Eternal Father (In Hebrew actually Abi'ad [ab = father and ad = eternal] - which literally means "The Father of Eternity") - Isaiah is not saying the Son is the Father which is the false teaching of modalism. In context the Son Who is the King functions as a father would over his children -- He acts like a father -- he protects them, he, feels affection and compassion for his children, etc (cp to a similar sense in Isa 22:21). Another example of this meaning of father is found in Job where he says… I was a father to the needy, and I investigated the case which I did not know. (Job 29:16) The NET Bible Note adds that "This figurative, idiomatic use of “father” is not limited to the Bible. In a Phoenician inscription (ca. 850–800BC) the ruler Kilamuwa declares: “To some I was a father, to others I was a mother.” In another inscription (ca. 800 b.c.) the ruler Azitawadda boasts that the god Baal made him “a father and a mother” to his people. (See ANET 499–500.) (Isaiah 9 Commentary) Vine writes that the idea of Father is that "He is loving, tender, compassionate, an all-wise Instructor, Trainer and Provider." Motyer - Probably the leading idea in the name Father here is that his rule follows the pattern of divine fatherhood (The Prophecy of Isaiah An Introduction Commentary 1993) Adrian Rogers says Everlasting Father "speaks of the love that He has for us. “Like as a father [pitied] his children, so the LORD pitieth them that fear him.” (Psalms 103:13) Jesus is the Everlasting Father. When Jesus Christ was born, He was as old as His Father and older than His mother. How was He as old as His Father? Because He said, “I and my Father are one” (John 10:30)—“he that hath seen me hath seen the Father.” (John 14:9) Jesus, therefore, can rightly be called the Everlasting Father, because you cannot separate God the Son from God the Father, and God the Father from God the Spirit, and God the Sprit from God the Son. And so, Jesus could aptly say and truly say, “I and my Father are one.” (John 10:30) And, notice He’s the Everlasting Father, according to Isaiah 9:6. About sixteen years ago, Life Magazine had on their front page in big bold letters, “God is Dead”—sixteen years ago. Seven years later, Life Magazine was dead. God’s still alive—God’s still alive. He is the Everlasting Father, and because He’s the Everlasting Father, He’s the Father of love today to meet every need that you have. (The Christmas Story According to Isaiah) Guzik on eternal Father - The idea in these Hebrew words is that Jesus is the source or author of all eternity, that He is the Creator Himself. It does not mean that Jesus Himself is the Person of the Father in the Trinity. (Isaiah 9 Commentary) Clendenen notes that "Father is a relatively rare way of describing God in the Hebrew Bible (Dt 32:6; Jer 3:4,19; Isa 63:16; 64:7; Mal 2:10) and a rarer way of describing a king (1Sa 24:12), though the Israelites are frequently called God’s sons (Ex 4:22, 23). (New American Commentary: Isaiah 1-39) Eternal (05703)('ad) is a noun that means forever, always, continual, without end (or beginning),eternity. The first use of ad in the Bible is one of the best - “The LORD shall reign forever and ever.” (Ex 15:18) Isaiah 57:15 calls God "the high and exalted One Who lives forever". Ad can indicate continual joy (Ps. 61:8; Isa. 65:18); or continual anger (Mic. 7:18 ="He does not retain His anger forever"; Amos 1:11). Ad references to mountains that would be shattered (Hab. 3:6 = "the perpetual mountains were shattered"); the sun and the moon (Ps. 148:6) may show that the word sometimes means less than eternity or only an apparent eternity. The word occurs with the word ʿôlām (Ps. 10:16; 45:6; Da. 12:3) and sometimes with the word neṣaḥ (Ps. 9:18; Amos 1:11). Theological Wordbook of the Old Testament adds that "Frequently the word ʿad is applied to God. His existence is eternal (Isaiah 57:15). While his righteousness endures forever (Ps 111:3; Ps 112:3, 9), his anger does not (Micah 7:18). God is worthy of praise and will be praised forever (Ps 45:17; Ps 52:9; Ps 111:10; Ps 145:1, 2, 21). The throne of God (Ps 10:16; Ps 45:6 [H 7]; Exodus 15:18) and the law of God (Ps 19:9]) will endure forever. This word is also applied to Israel. The Davidic dynasty will continue forever, depending upon their response to the covenant (Ps 89:29; Ps 132:12). Zion is God's dwelling place forever (Ps 48:14; Ps 132:14; 1 Chron. 28:9).A sharp contrast is seen in the use of this word relative to the righteous and wicked. The righteous will not always be forgotten (Ps 9:18-19]) and they will inherit the land forever (Ps 37:29). By contrast the wicked are doomed to destruction forever (Ps 9:6; Ps 92:7). Gilbrant on ad/adh - With the exceptions of Job 20:4f and Hab. 3:6, ʿadh always refers to the unforeseeable future. The noun ʿadh is often used with reference to persons and things that are not eternal, but temporal. It is desired that the king's reign experience "length of days" (Ps. 21:4). This same intent is voiced for those who live righteously ("may their hearts live forever," Ps. 22:26). David determined to sing praises of the Lord forever (Ps. 61:8). The Davidic dynasty will be established "forever" (Ps. 89:29). Its permanence was contingent upon keeping the Covenant. Then there would always be sons who would sit upon this throne (Ps. 132:12). Those who are truthful will endure forever (Pr 12:19). In a moment of intense poetic expression, Job shared his utter despair that his words would be chiseled in rock forever (Job 19:24). The righteous will inherit the land forever (Ps. 37:29). Most often, however, ʿadh is applied to God and his attributes. He is the high and lofty One Who continues forever (Isa. 57:15). His righteousness endures forever (Ps. 111:3; 112:3, 9). He is worthy of eternal recognition or honor (Ps. 111:8). His precepts were to be reverenced forever (Ps. 19:9). Yahweh will not be angry forever, for He delights to show mercy (Mic. 7:18). (The Complete Biblical Library Hebrew-English Dictionary) Ad/adh - 49x in 49v - all(1), continually(1), Eternal(1), ever(15), forever(26), forever*(1), forevermore*(2), old(1), perpetual(1). Exod. 15:18; 1 Chr. 28:9; Job 19:24; Job 20:4; Ps. 9:5; Ps. 9:18; Ps. 10:16; Ps. 19:9; Ps. 21:4; Ps. 21:6; Ps. 22:26; Ps. 37:29; Ps. 45:6; Ps. 45:17; Ps. 48:14; Ps. 52:8; Ps. 61:8; Ps. 66:7; Ps. 83:17; Ps. 89:29; Ps. 92:7; Ps. 104:5; Ps. 111:3; Ps. 111:8; Ps. 111:10; Ps. 112:3; Ps. 112:9; Ps. 119:44; Ps. 132:12; Ps. 132:14; Ps. 145:1; Ps. 145:2; Ps. 145:21; Ps. 148:6; Prov. 12:19; Prov. 29:14; Isa. 9:6; Isa. 9:7; Isa. 26:4; Isa. 45:17; Isa. 47:7; Isa. 57:15; Isa. 64:9; Isa. 65:18; Dan. 12:3; Amos 1:11; Mic. 4:5; Mic. 7:18; Hab. 3:6 Below are some representative uses related to God as Ruler or King as well as some other uses in Isaiah. “As for you, my son Solomon, know the God of your father, and serve Him with a whole heart and a willing mind; for the LORD searches all hearts, and understands every intent of the thoughts. If you seek Him, He will let you find Him; but if you forsake Him, He will reject you forever. (1 Chr. 28:9) The Lord is King forever and ever; Nations have perished from His land. (Ps 10:16). Your throne, O God, is forever and ever; A scepter of uprightness is the scepter of Your kingdom. (Ps 45:6). For such is God, Our God forever and ever; He will guide us until death. (Ps 48:14) He rules by His might forever; His eyes keep watch on the nations; Let not the rebellious exalt themselves. Selah. (Ps 66:7). Splendid and majestic is His work, And His righteousness endures forever. (Ps 111:3) “If your sons will keep My covenant And My testimony which I will teach them, Their sons also shall sit upon your throne forever.” (Ps. 132:12) If a king judges the poor with truth, His throne will be established forever. (Pr 29:14) Trust in the Lord forever, For in God the Lord, we have an everlasting Rock. (Is 26:4) Israel has been saved by the Lord With an everlasting salvation; You will not be put to shame or humiliated To all eternity. (Is 45:17) For thus says the high and exalted One Who lives forever, whose name is Holy, “I dwell on a high and holy place, And also with the contrite and lowly of spirit In order to revive the spirit of the lowly And to revive the heart of the contrite. (Is 57:15). Do not be angry beyond measure, O LORD, Nor remember iniquity forever; Behold, look now, all of us are Your people. ( Isaiah 64:9) But be glad and rejoice forever in what I create; For behold, I create Jerusalem for rejoicing And her people for gladness. (Isaiah 65:18) Young commenting on eternal Father writes "He is One who eternally is a Father to His people. Now and forever He guards His people and supplies their needs. “I am the good shepherd,” said our Lord, and thus expressed the very heart of the meaning of this phrase. What tenderness, love, and comfort are here! Eternally—a Father to His people! (The Book of Isaiah 3 Vol. Edward J. Young) THE EVERLASTING FATHER There is always sadness to see a home where there are fatherless children. Sometimes due to death and sometimes due to other sad circumstances, a mother has to bring up a family alone. Turning from the titles which have proclaimed the glory and might of the coming One, Isaiah now declares that those who trust in their God will never be without a Father. The One to whom the prophet looks is the everlasting Father. This seems to bring Him nearer and closer to us, speaking of a relationship with us that even eternity will not affect. It does not, however, affect the relationship of the persons in the Godhead as it does not detract from God the Father. He who is revealed as the everlasting Father is God the Son, as the title refers to his relationship to eternity and to all His own who will inhabit it That a father pities his children is known to us, Psalm 103:13. He is able to guide them with His wisdom and shelter them with His love. He cares for them and has compassion on them just as the everlasting Father cares for and has compassion on us. This, then, is the outlook we have for the endless ages, to have a Father whose care we can anticipate with joy, and whose love for us will never diminish. But one way of reading this title adds more to its significance. Some read it as ‘the Father of Eternity’, e.g. JND. If we have briefly considered His compassion, we see now His power and authority. In the realm of eternity, He reigns supreme. As ‘the Father of Eternity’, He is the cause of it, the One who brought it into being, the One who initiated it. Eternity owes its existence to Him and it is His power that sustains it. KEIL and DELITZSCH state that, ‘The title Eternal Father designates Him, however, not only as the possessor of eternity … but as the tender, faithful, and wise trainer, guardian, and provider for His people even in eternity’. Events around us can cause us fear. The storms of life, which come closer, can grip us with anxiety. The uncertainty with which we are beset may cloud our horizons. But He who died on Calvary is the everlasting Father with endless, timeless compassion and control. With that prospect, fear not! (John Bennett - Day by Day - Divine Titles) GOD IS THE EVERLASTING FATHER The term “Father” has great meaning to me. My father was my pastor, my friend, my confidant, my counselor. Yes, I was a “preacher's kid,” but I never had even the slightest desire to live in rebellion from the principles my dad taught me. In truth, I wanted to embody his godly teaching because I saw the integrity of his life and I knew of his passionate love for me. The early disciples must have been shell-shocked when Jesus taught them to address the sovereign God of the universe with the intimate term “Father,” translated from the Aramaic abba. This word was certainly one of endearment and intimacy that transcended their expectations. Paul wrote in Romans 8:15, “For you did not receive a spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption, by whom we cry out, ‘Abba, Father! ’” Through Christ, he had become a son—a spiritual reality that seemed to never stop astonishing Paul all the days of his life. We have already looked at Isaiah 9:6 in our consideration of Christ as our Counselor. We will have occasion to look at it on three other occasions later in this book, but here our focus is on Jesus as the “Eternal” or “Everlasting Father”—the Father of all eternity. This mention of “eternity” indicates a timeless quality. It means his kingdom has no end. Only one who possesses eternity in his own being can give everlasting life, and this is the nature of the God we serve. Yet it not only speaks of eternity; it speaks of intimacy. This great King of ours cares for his children like a loving father. As the eternal or everlasting Father, he is always present and ever caring. In Matthew 7:11, Jesus spoke to this intimate care. If an earthly Father knows how to give good gifts to his children, how much more does God desire to give good things to his? I confess that I miss my earthly dad, but I rejoice that in Christ I have an everlasting Father who always cares for me. (Kenneth Hemphill - God Is) Ray Pritchard - Devotional - Everlasting Father “He will be called . . . Everlasting Father " (Isaiah 9:6). In the Hebrew the phrase is literally “the Father of Eternity.” This speaks of the purpose of his coming. He is before, above, and beyond time. He is the possessor of eternity. He is eternally like a father to his people. This is not a statement about the Trinity but about the character of our Lord. All that a good father is, Jesus is to his people. Because he is like a father, he cares for his people. Because he owns eternity, he can give us eternal life. That’s important for those who live on this sin-cursed planet. No one lives forever. Sooner or later we will all find our own place in the graveyard. We are not immortal but transitory. We’re here today, gone tomorrow. A dead Christ will do us no good. Dying men need an undying Christ. Here’s a key phrase: He is a father forever! That’s important to me because I had a father, but not a father forever. I had a father, but he is gone now. I received a message from someone who said her aunt knew my father, Dr. Tyrus Pritchard. That warmed my heart because it’s been 38 years since my father died. He was a very good man, but he was not a father forever. I am a father to Joshua, Mark and Nick, but I am not a father forever. I will someday pass away. All human fathers must go. But Jesus is a father forever! He’s just what we need. We are glad, O Lord, for your love that never ends. We rejoice in the thought that you are greater than any problem we may face today. Amen. Wonderful Counselor “He will be called Wonderful Counselor” (Isaiah 9:6). Literally this title means “a wonder of a counselor,” speaking of the wisdom of his plan. The word “wonderful” means “astonishing” or “extraordinary.” The writers of the Old Testament used it for acts of God which man cannot understand. The word “counselor” means “advisor” or “ideal ruler.” This means he is a reliable counselor. Those who come to him will never be led astray. Talk radio is filled with people who make their living giving advice to others. Much of it is good, some not so good. But the Lord goes to no one for advice. And when anyone comes to him, he gives them the counsel they need. He is therefore the perfect teacher and the ultimate counselor. This gives us insight into his working. His plans are not our plans, his ways not our ways. He will accomplish things beyond human comprehension, and he will do it in ways we cannot fathom. He will do the greatest work ever accomplished, and he will do it successfully. A violent death would not be man’s way to victory, but it was God’s plan and our Lord carried it out perfectly. As the Wonderful Counselor, he gives wholesome direction to His people. Those who follow him will not walk in darkness but in the blazing light of day. Lord Jesus, all the treasures of divine wisdom are found in you. You know what we need for today and tomorrow. Grant us a holy desire to do your will. Amen. Mighty God “He will be called Mighty God” (Isaiah 9:6). This speaks of the “Power of Accomplishment.” It is first of all a statement of deity. The baby born in the manger is not just the Son of God, he is also God the Son. All the fullness of God dwells in the Lord Jesus Christ. As the ancient creeds declare, he is “very God of very God.” That can never be said of any mere human baby. There is something else important in this title. The word translated “mighty” means “strong one” or “powerful, valiant warrior.” Thus the term “mighty God” is actually a military title. He is the God who fights for his people! At the Incarnation, God took the form of human flesh. That’s why one of his names is Immanuel–God with us. Now take the first two titles together and what do you have? As the Wonderful Counselor — He makes the plans. As the Mighty God —He makes the plans work. All of his wonderful plans will be carried out with all of God’s infinite might. There is in this little baby all the strength of Deity. The power of God is in those tiny fists. He has strength which is divine. His commands rest upon the omnipotence of God. Whatever he desires, he is able to achieve. When we meet Jesus, we meet God. If he is not the “mighty God,” then we are deceived and it is blasphemy to worship him. There is no middle ground. If he is not God, we are fools to worship him. If he is God, we are fools not to. But if he is the Mighty God, then when we rely on him, we are relying on God himself! We need divine aid to help us in our battle. Satan and sin would every day defeat us, but he is the Mighty God, and he has defeated them. My Lord, you have fought and won every battle. You are the undisputed Victor. When I am tempted to doubt, remind me of your unlimited power. Amen. Herbert Lockyer - The Everlasting Father Richard Crashaw, that quaint poet of the sixteenth century who coined that phrase in connection with our Lord's miracle of turning water into wine, "The conscious water saw its God, and blushed," wrote a "Hymn of The Nativity" in which he describes the birth of "the mighty Babe" and concludes with the couplet: Welcome, all wonders in one sight! Eternity shut in a span. When God became man, eternity was indeed shut up in His earthly span of thirty-three years. While it may seem as if we are confounding the Persons of the Trinity when we use the names of the Father and the Son interchangeably, the term Father is often used in a broad sense as the source or originator of a quality or an object (See Job 29:16; Isa. 22:21). In ancient Rome, when a citizen had accomplished some brave and noble deed of infinite value and of willing self-denial, soldiers would raise him on their shields, maidens would throw garlands at his feet, and the populace would hail him in their songs as Pater Patrioe, Father of his country. Such an honorable title illustrates the inner significance of the name before us, "The Everlasting Father," of "The Father of Eternity—the King, Immortal and Invisible." Forecasts: "The name of the LORD, the everlasting God" (Gen. 21:33). "From everlasting to everlasting, thou art God" (Ps. 90:2). "I am the LORD, I change not" (Mal. 3:6). "His name shall be called... The everlasting Father" (Isa. 9:6). Fulfillments: "Out of thee (Bethlehem) shall he come forth... whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting" (Mic. 5:2). "Before Abraham was, I am" (John 8:58). "Christ abideth forever" (John 12:34). "Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and today, and forever" (Heb. 13:8). It is because of His everlastingness that He can make all who believe the recipients of everlasting life (John 6:47). With Christ, they are to become the sharers of the eternity of Jehovah. The LXX version translates The Everlasting Father, as "The Father of the age to come." "The age to come" was how ancient Jews spoke of the future messianic dispensation. As the Father of the Ages, Christ has accomplished far more for succeeding ages than any other noble person. O everlasting Father, God! Sun after sun went down, and trod Race after race the green earth's sod, Till generations seemed to be But dead waves of an endless sea, But dead leaves from a deathless tree. The Father of Eternity, however, became the Babe of Bethlehem, and brought liberty from bondage and life from the dead. Because He lives and has ever lived, we also can live. Through His grace, by faith, we are the recipients of eternal bliss. (All the Messianic Prophecies of the Bible) PRINCE OF PEACE Prince of Peace (Sar-Shalom) - Jesus is the one Whose rule will bring peace (cp Isa 32:17). At His birth (and death) He made possible peace between God and man. At His Second Coming He will establish His kingdom in peace at the onset of the Millennium. Beloved, the world is desperate for peace in the middle east, but it will not transpire until the end of this age when the Prince returns and bring His peace. In Isaiah 11:6, 7, 8, 9-note this peace is discussed in more detail. How fitting that this is the first of 23 references to PEACE in 20 verses in Isaiah - Isa. 9:6; Isa. 9:7; Isa. 26:3; Isa. 26:12; Isa. 27:5; Isa. 32:17; Isa. 33:7; Isa. 36:16; Isa. 39:8; Isa. 42:19; Isa. 48:22; Isa. 52:7; Isa. 54:10; Isa. 55:12; Isa. 57:2; Isa. 57:19; Isa. 57:21; Isa. 59:8; Isa. 60:17; Isa. 66:12; Peace (07965) (shalom - see word study) conveys a range of meanings including safe, well, happy, friendly; welfare, health, prosperity, absence of strife, completeness, harmony, fulfillment. Peace is the absence of war. Nations have been at war since the fall of man. But when Jesus returns as the Stone "cut out of the mountain without hands" (Da 2:45-note), He "will crush and put an end to all these kingdoms, but it (He, His Kingdom) will itself endure forever." (Da 2:44-note) With the crushing and end of all these world kingdoms, comes the end of war. Micah prophesies of this future kingdom of world wide peace… And He (Messiah) will arise and shepherd His flock In the strength of the LORD, In the majesty of the name of the LORD His God. And they will remain, because at that time He will be great To the ends of the earth. And this One will be our peace. When the Assyrian invades our land, When he tramples on our citadels, Then we will raise against him Seven shepherds and eight leaders of men. (Micah 5:4,5-note) Paul writes… Therefore having been justified by faith, we have peace (word study) with God through our Lord Jesus Christ (Ro 5:1-note) Comment - A woman was dying. They said to her, do you know that you're dying. She said, "Yes". Have you made peace with God? She said, "No." Perhaps she didn't understand so they asked her again. Said, "Do you know you're dying?" She said, "Yes." Have you made peace with God? She said, "No." She said, "I am resting in the peace that Jesus made on the cross." Amen. He made peace between God and man. Prince (08269)(sar) means a leader; commander; captain; chief; prince; ruler, chieftain, etc.This masculine noun is used 381 times in the OT. J D Watson on Prince - Prince, then, is śar, which appears more than 400 times and refers not only to a prince but also a chief, captain, ruler, governor, or other such official. Its first occurrence, for example, recounts that Pharaoh's "princes" (officials, courtiers) noticed Sarah's beauty and "commended" her to Pharaoh (Gen. 12:15). Phichol, the commander of Abimelech's forces, is referred to as "the chief captain" (21:22), and Potiphar was Pharaoh's "captain of the guard" (Gen. 37:36; 39:1). Tribal leaders and chieftains of various peoples are also called śar (Num. 21:18; 1 Sam. 29:3, 4; Jer. 48:7; Amos 1:15). Does all this not dramatically illustrate the title Prince of Peace? While human officials rule over their insignificant little corners of the earth, our Lord is the Prince, Captain, Chief, Magistrate over the whole realm, the entire kingdom, of peace. As Paul stated it, Christ "is Himself our peace" (Eph. 2:14, literal translation and emphasis added). Paul did not call Christ a "peacemaker" (which would be the Greek eirēnopoios), rather he called Him peace itself. Men have sought peace through the ages, but it is nowhere to be found outside of Christ. (A Hebrew Word for the Day) Gilbrant on prince - The Hebrew term sar means "prince" or "official." The "leader" spoken of may be political, military or both. Occasionally, a religious leader is referred to. The noun is derived from the verb sārar (HED #8049), "to rule," "to reign," "to act as a prince," (Complete Biblical Library Hebrew-English Dictionary) Vine writes that "He is a Prince who will in Person completely subdue every opposing foe, banish every disturbing element and thus bring peace to His people and to the nations. This the angels heralded at His Birth (Luke 2:14-note)." NET Bible Note says that Prince of Peace… pictures the King as One Who establishes a safe socio-economic environment for His people. It hardly depicts Him as a meek individual, for He establishes peace through military strength (as the preceding context and the first two royal titles indicate). His people experience safety and prosperity because their invincible King destroys their enemies. (Isaiah 9 Commentary) John
Isaías 9
Spurgeon adds: His burning ardor, like the flame of a candle, fed on his strength and consumed it. His heart, like a sharp sword, cut through the scabbard. Some men are eaten up with lechery, others with covetousness, and a third class with pride, but the master passion with our great leader was the glory of God, jealousy for his name, and love to the divine family. Zeal for God is so little understood by men of the world, that it always draws down opposition upon those who are inspired with it; they are sure to be accused of sinister motives, or of hypocrisy, or of being out of their senses. When zeal eats us up, ungodly men seek to eat us up too, and this was preeminently the case with our Lord, because his holy jealousy was preeminent. With more than a seraph's fire he glowed, and consumed himself with his fervor. Motyer adds that "Zeal (qina) is that ‘jealousy’ which is a component of all true love and pre-eminently of the Lord’s love. His love will brook no rival and is provoked by disloyalty (Nu. 25:11; Ps 79:5). It is equally, however, the power of love moving the Lord to make his people’s cause his own (Is. 42:13; 59:17; 63:15) and the passionate commitment of his nature to fulfill his purposes for them (37:32). All this zealous determination is that of Yahweh, the exodus-God, whose nature it is to save his people and overthrow his foes. It is backed by divine omnipotence (for Almighty/‘of hosts’ see on 1:9) and pledged to achieve this, the advent and kingdom of the Messiah. (The Prophecy of Isaiah An Introduction Commentary 1993) F B