Isaiah 9:6-7 -
For to us a child is born,
to us a son is given;
and the government shall be upon his shoulder,
and his name shall be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
7 Of the increase of his government and of peace
there will be no end,
on the throne of David and over his kingdom,
to establish it and to uphold it
with justice and with righteousness
from this time forth and forevermore.
The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this.
Isaiah continues his astounding prophecy of the child who is to come. The chapter begins with a declaration that God’s purposes will extend in Gentile lands, the “land beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the nations.” “The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light,” the prophet proclaims. This is now a universal principle - that everyone, Jew and Gentile, have walked in darkness, and we have been shone this great light amidst the darkness - and this is that light: “To us a child is born, to us a son is given.” And look at these names of this child - Mighty God, even! The child to be born is directly aligned with God himself, being called Everlasting Father and Mighty God.
The verse just preceding this prophecy in v. 6 speaks some tough words about wars that continue between the nations - this child is meant to come to truly be the Prince of Peace, to be the end of calamitous results of sin in the world. The earth will still groan (Rom. 8) because of sin - things are not as they should be, and yet, the way to peace, the way to reconciliation with the Lord is through this baby. There are no other routes - Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life (John 10). The one true King, from the throne of David, is here - he will rule, and like a good king, he’ll know his people and he will care for their every need. Jesus our King knows our biggest problem - and that is sin; and he came to take it away. Praise him, our Savior and Lord!
Hymn for Reflection: The First Noel. Here’s a Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GwG0emQTuY0