2023_10_30 Insight Post- Kim Feld

Isaiah chapter 9 may sound familiar as words we often hear around Christmas. Written as a prophecy about the Messiah, the passage contains beautifully descriptive words. As I pray for the ongoing conflicts throughout our world, I am struck by the depth of our need for a Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and Prince of Peace.

Using the NIV Exhaustive Concordance Dictionary (2015), I will expound on the meaning of these words because they are just too good for us to miss. They paint an incredible visual of Jesus and all that He is meant to be to us. I hope these words speak to your heart today as they have to mine.

Let’s start with Wonderful Counselor. The word wonderful literally means wonder, miracle, and astounding. Counselor means advisor, but the implication of this word is that the advice given will be wise and valuable. It’s hard to comprehend that our Creator would want to provide wise counsel and make Himself available to us.

Mighty means brave, hero, warrior. Our God is God the Mighty One, majestic in power. He fights for us on our behalf.

Everlasting is a measure of time and refers to the past and the future for all eternity. Another name for God is Ancient of Days (see Daniel 7). God, as our Everlasting Father, is for all time.

The word shalom in the Old Testament is often translated as peace, but this peace is much deeper and richer than how we might define the word. In addition to meaning safety and well-being, it means intactness or wholeness. This is not a peace that is fleeting based on circumstances. It is all-encompassing and results in being safe, secure, and completely whole. That completeness has a name: Jesus. The word prince means ruler and, in this instance, refers to multiple realms: religious, military, and governmental. Jesus, our Messiah, is the ultimate ruler who provides us with safety, security, and wholeness.

I find myself praying for peace a lot these days. Personal peace as I face challenges, peace in relationships that are in upheaval, and peace for a world in crisis. But Jesus desires more than just quieting my heart; He wants to rule. He wants to be the Prince of Peace in my life and heart, that place of absolute security amid chaos. No one else on earth can promise me that.

This is our Jesus:

For to us a child is born,
to us a son is given,
and the government will be on His shoulders.
And He will be called Wonderful Counselor,
Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

(Isaiah 9:6, NIV)

Kim Feld
Executive Director of Education and Outreach

Reference: NIV Exhaustive Concordance Dictionary. (2015). Zondervan.