Isaiah
9:6 Last week we looked at the beginning of Isaiah 9:6,
where we studied the (01.) The Context of Isaiah 9:6. We learned that there
was a lot of political and spiritual instability in the nation of Israel, and
then Isaiah tells us seven things about this coming Immanuel (Isaiah 7:13-15)
who was to be born of a virgin in Isaiah 9:6. We then learned that (02.) Isaiah 9:6 declares both the humanity
(“For unto us a
Child is born”) and the deity (“a Son is given”) of the
Lord Jesus Christ.[1]
Then lastly we studied that the
(03.) The Messiah Will Rule,
“And the government will be upon His shoulder”,
The ensign of office used to be worn on
the shoulder, in token of sustaining
the government (Isaiah
22:22).[2] This
coming Messiah that Isaiah was prophesying about is truly God’s perfect ruler. The fact that He alone is God’s perfect
ruler is seen in these five names of the coming Messiah that Isaiah brings to
us. Isaiah 9:6
contains more names of the coming Messiah than any other verse in the Bible. Today,
the name that you were given at the time of your birth is merely an identifier,
so that we don’t have to look at each, and say “Hey, You”, “Yo”, or “Howdy
Pardner”! In the Bible, names were given to describe the characteristics of
that particular child, and were usually given to the child at his circumcision (Luke 2:21),
which took place on the eighth day after his birth. It was a tradition among
the Jews to name the child at the circumcision ceremony, and usually the name
of the first-born son was given the name of his father. For example, let’s
quickly look at the birth of Esau and Jacob in Genesis
25:20–26. If you were to keep reading, you will see that Esau grew
to be a red, hairy man, and Jacob was a deceiver, trying to whatever he could
to get an advantage, so both men were named appropriately. At this time, your
name meant your character, who you were, it’s your reputation (Proverbs 22:1). Having
a good name (cf. Proverbs 3:4;
Ecclesiastes
7:1), that is, an honorable
reputation because of good character, is to be valued far above having much
wealth. Riches are useless (cf. Proverbs 1:19;
Proverbs
10:2, Proverbs 13:11) if in gaining them one ruins his character.[3] Knowing this, it should place more
significance on the name Jesus. The angel of YHWH speaking to Joseph told him
the name for the Baby in Matthew 1:21. In Luke 1:31 Gabriel told Mary that
the name for the baby will be “Jesus” (Greek Ἰησοῦς Iēsŏus, ee-ay-sooce), which is the Greek transliteration of “Yehoshua”
or Joshua in English, and in Hebrew it means “YHWH Saves” (Matthew 1:21; Luke
2:21). The Jews changed the name “Yehoshua” to “Yeshua” after the
Babylonian captivity. The name “Yeshua” seems to be influenced by the Aramaic
language, but it is still technically a Hebrew name. His name says it all, that
the Messiah (HaMashiach) came as a man (“For unto
us a Child is born,” Isaiah 9:6) to save the lost (Matthew 1:21; Matthew
18:11; Matthew 20:28; Luke 19:10; John 1:29; John 12:47; Romans 5:6-10; 1 Timothy 1:15; Hebrews 7:25).
We now know from Scripture that Jesus is the name of the Messiah that Isaiah
foretold about here in Isaiah 9:6, but He also was given many titles,
and each of these titles offers us insight into the character and nature of the
Son of God. Again, the fact that He alone is
God’s perfect ruler is seen in these five names of the coming Messiah that
Isaiah brings to us. These are what the coming Messiah’s essential characteristics shall be,[4] and they are based on His
deity.
What we will study
this morning in Naming the Messiah part02…04.
Wonderful; 05.
Counselor; 06. Mighty
God; 07. Everlasting Father; and 08. Prince
of Peace.
Isaiah 9:6 “Prince of Peace.” If you remember from last time, the context of Isaiah
we saw that this time was marked by political and religious instability, yet
Isaiah tells us that the coming Messiah will be known as the “Prince of Peace.” If we read the next verse here
in Isaiah 9, we see that He tells us
the Messiah will set up a government and peace that will not end (Isaiah 9:7). In New Testament times the
normal way to say good-bye was Peace
(šālôm in Heb.). In His death Jesus
provided a legacy for His disciples: My
peace I give to you. They would have “peace with God” (Romans 5:1) because their sins
were forgiven and the “peace of God” (Philippians 4:7) would guard their lives. The world is unable to give this kind of peace. Fear of death
(Hebrews
2:14–15) and fear of the future are removed as Jesus’ followers
trust in Him. Thus they need not be
troubled (cf. John 11:33; John 13:21; John 14:1).[14]
One day, after Christ has judged the world, He will
renew the Heavens and the Earth, and peace will reign for eternity (Revelation 21:22–27).[15] As
glorious as peace among men may be, however, there is a greater, more ultimate
peace that is found only in the Lord Jesus Christ (Luke
2:8–14).[16] Note
the last phrase in the angels’ announcement: “peace among men with whom He is
pleased.” What does this mean? It means that only those who have been
reconciled to God through repentance and faith in Jesus Christ will experience
eternal peace and bliss (2 Corinthians 5:16–19).[17] God is holy and demands holiness (1 Peter 1:13-16). Jesus Christ is the only One through whom man may
obtain peace with God. This infant who, upon His birth, was the Prince of
Peace, would one day die as the perfect, atoning sacrifice for those who are
His. At the moment of His physical death, the barrier between God and man was
removed (Matthew
27:51; Mark 15:38; Luke 23:45); the work of the Prince of Peace was accomplished (John 19:30).[18] May this child, who alone is “Wonderful,
Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace”, reign over our hearts and our lives, and may we seek to
serve Him well.[19]
[2] Jamieson, R., Fausset, A. R., & Brown, D. (1997). Commentary
Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible (Vol. 1, p. 440). Oak Harbor, WA: Logos Research
Systems, Inc.
[4] Jamieson, R., Fausset, A. R., & Brown, D. (1997). Commentary
Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible (Vol. 1, p. 440). Oak Harbor, WA: Logos Research
Systems, Inc.
[5] http://biblehub.com/commentaries/pulpit/isaiah/9.htm
[11]
http://www.donotbesurprised.com/2016/12/whats-in-name-eternal-father.html
[12]
http://www.donotbesurprised.com/2016/12/whats-in-name-eternal-father.html
[13] http://www.donotbesurprised.com/2016/12/whats-in-name-eternal-father.html
[15]
http://www.donotbesurprised.com/2016/12/whats-in-name-prince-of-peace.html
[16]
http://www.donotbesurprised.com/2016/12/whats-in-name-prince-of-peace.html
[17]
http://www.donotbesurprised.com/2016/12/whats-in-name-prince-of-peace.html
[18]
http://www.donotbesurprised.com/2016/12/whats-in-name-prince-of-peace.html
[19]
http://www.donotbesurprised.com/2016/12/whats-in-name-prince-of-peace.html
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