Wonderful Adviser,
Mighty God,
Everlasting Father,
Prince of Peace.
Wonderful Adviser
adviser=(BDB) wonder of a counsellor, of the ideal ruler predicted
In v.3-4 the Messiah will be One who is able to lead His people to divide up the plunder. His extraordinary counsel will result in victory. Why? Because the following title suggest that He is divine. (NET) "Here it probably refers to the king’s ability to devise military strategy, as suggested by the context (cf. vv. 3–4)"
According to this devotion, if the counsel is related to the whole salvation plan that I can rest on the assurance that my salvation, sanctification, and glorification will all be completed. There is no doubt about it.
Mighty God
God=NET, " Ps 45:6 addresses the Davidic king as “God” because he ruled and fought as God’s representative on earth...When the king’s enemies oppose him on the battlefield, they are, as it were, fighting against God himself. The other option is to regard this title as a reference to God, confronting Isaiah’s readers with the divinity of this promised “child"
Might=(BDB) attribute of God especially as fighting for his people
Again the Messiah means victory. His military counsel and military power are emphasized here. In the shadow of being attacked by their enemies Israel should look up to Him. How about me? Whom do I look up to when I am in trouble?
Everlasting Father
Everlasting=(BDB) father (i.e. distributor) of booty
This is an attribute of God especially as used for the emphasize of the fighting for His people
(NET) This title must not be taken in an anachronistic Trinitarian sense. (To do so would be theologically problematic, for the “Son” is the messianic king and is distinct in his person from God the “Father.”) Rather, in its original context the title pictures the king as the protector of his people...The use of “everlasting” might suggest the deity of the king (as the one who has total control over eternity), but Isaiah and his audience may have understood the term as royal hyperbole emphasizing the king’s long reign or enduring dynasty (for examples of such hyperbolic language used of the Davidic king, see 1 Kgs 1:31; Pss 21:4–6; 61:6–7; 72:5, 17). The New Testament indicates that the hyperbolic language (as in the case of the title “Mighty God”) is literally realized in the ultimate fulfillment of the prophecy, for Jesus will rule eternally.
Summary: In a military sense, the Messiah is victorious and benefit His people with booty. And this victory last eternally. His people is protected and secure.
Prince of Peace
Prince=(BDB) specif. military, = captain, general...Abner
Peace=(BDB) peace from war
To the contemporary of Isaiah the military language here related to their political situation. In general, what kind of peace (during the war) will the Messiah bring? This devotion points to the peace with God (war with God), but it must also include the ultimate war with the world and with Satan (and the peace in the KOG).
Conclusion: the names of Messiah bring us assurance of salvation, and protection under a Great Ruler.
But the last paragraph of the devotion reminded me how He did that. Not with muscle or intelligence, but with sacrifice and love. Without Him I will not be forgiven and have all these blessings. What shall I do to Him? What I can think of is to love Him badly, ie. obey His commandments. What does a person who devoted oneself to obey Him look like? Like Christ!
6a For a child has been born to us,
a son has been given to us.
The 2 phrases are parallel and almost identical in meaning. child=(BDB) son, boy. He has been born to us and has been given to us. In the future of prophet Isaiah God's own descendant would be born and the purpose is to give to us Himself. In this devotion, the author mentioned Mt 6:32, 7:11, the Father knows our need and gives us good gifts. If we put these 2 passages together, God as a father generously gave us the greatest sacrifice and it is because He knows our needs, i.e. we need Jesus. We need to be under His rulership, dominion and kingdom, otherwise we are in the rulership, dominion of darkness. Sin is a nature to us and we live in a broken world. Nothing can help me to move away from here into the KOG, but only through this gift.
"Wonderful" Isa 28:29
Context of Isa 28:23-29 both Judah and Samaria was guilty and both will be judged in v.1-22. (BKC) Isaiah then inserted a word of comfort into this message of woe and judgment. The judgment would last for only a short while as it was designed to purge the people. A farmer must crush his crops to get the desired results...Various crops must be treated differently so no one step (plowing, harrowing, planting, or threshing) is done continuously. Similarly God would bring about judgment but not forever. He is the Master “Farmer,” who knows how to handle each “crop.”
27 原來打小茴香，不用尖利的器具，
軋大茴香，也不用碌碡；
但用杖打小茴香，
用棍打大茴香。
28 做餅的糧食是用磨磨碎，
因它不必常打；
雖用碌碡和馬打散，
卻不磨它。
29 這也是出於萬軍之耶和華，
他的謀略奇妙，
他的智慧廣大。
(Dallas Devotion) the use of the term “wonderful” expresses that which is always wise and perfect for those who listen...Jesus showed that He is “wonderful” in His counsel; He taught so many wonderful things that are counterintuitive to the human mind and even more that He is the only way to God. Jesus said, “I am the true and living way” (John 14:6). At Christmas, as we are reminded of the coming of Jesus to earth, we recognize that His teaching and direction is perfect for us. He knows exactly what we need, and so we can trust Him to lead and guide us each day as we listen to Him (Proverbs 3:5–6).
Reflection: Jesus is not only divine, and because of this He is so wise. More than how I know myself and how I know others He knows. His counsel and direction of life will not be wrong and He knows exactly what I need. Another reminder for me to trust Him and seek His guidance.
"Wondered" Luke 2:17-18
17 When they saw him, they related what they had been told about this child, 18 and all who heard it were astonished at what the shepherds said
What did the shepherd had been told was recorded in v.8-12.
v.8-12:
1. Shepherds in the same region who lived in the field, and guarding the sheep in the night guard were chosen to be told about this message. Why shepherd? The word "guard" was repeated x2 in v.8. Does the content of the message, i.e. regarding the promise of Daivd, the Savior, the Christ related to the shepherds whose primary job was guarding the sheep day and night?
2. The message was given from God. It was given by the angel of the Lord v.9, 10 and the glory of God was shone upon the shepherd v.9. To deny the message is to deny the message from God to you.
3. It is a good news of great joy to all the people. That is the coming of the Savior and Christ the Lord is a great joy to all human beings. In v.14, the group of people is further defined. The great heavenly army praise God for giving peace to all people whom He is pleased. In other words, when we receive Jesus as our Savior, and Christ the Lord, we are blessed with great joy.
4. There is no mistake that Jesus is the Savior and Christ mentioned in the message of the angel because He matched what the sign said in v.12, a baby wrapped in cloth, lying in a manger. No baby would have lying in a manger if their parents were not able to find a place in the inn when they were temporary moved to town for registration v.1-7. For those who deny Jesus is Christ denied the words given by the angel from God.
Reflection (Dallas Devotion 2025) "Wonderful describes something or someone out of the ordinary and remarkable in nature. God sent the Messiah to His people with an extraordinary kind of counsel. This was always part of God’s plan. It is the good news." When we heard of this good news of great joy do we wonder as the people who heard what the shepherd had told them?
What people might wonder in what the shepherd said:
1. I wonder or I am astonished the the similarity between the shepherds and Promise to David, the Savior and the Christ, Does God want to remind us that Jesus, my Savior and Christ, guards me day and night I should have no fear?
2, 3,4. I wonder or I am astonished the message of God with vast clarity that Jesus is Promised Savior, prophesized in the OT for hundreds or even thousands of years. He is given to me to be my Savior and Christ. This is a great joy. If I have any little frustration in my life it is so trivial comparing to this.
Adviser (Col 1:16-17)
(TWOT) the waywardness of Israel as a “nation void of counsel,” i.e. not following the plans and purposes of God (Deut 32:28)... The only hope of Judah, Isaiah claims, is to be found in the person of the Messiah...“Wonderful Counsellor” (9:6). The child who is to come, on whose shoulders the government of the world shall rest, is one whose plans, purposes, designs and decrees for his people are marvellous
(Dallas Dev) This Hebrew term (yâ’ats) [adviser] refers...to One with divine moral and spiritual wisdom, who guides, counsels, and mentors us so that our plans will succeed according to what is spiritually and morally right.
Col 1:16-17
1. Context: From Paul’s petition that the Colossians be enlightened about God’s with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding 1:9
so that they might live worthily of the Lord in 4 ways: bearing fruit, growing in knowledge, being strengthened, and giving thanks to the Father v.10-12
Why do we give thanks to the Father? Because He is the One who qualified us to have inheritance, delivered us, and transferred us to the kingdom of the Son v.12-13
Who is the Son? He is the One in whom we have redemption v.14
How can He redeemed us? He is supreme v.15-20 (BKC) In this paragraph (vv. 15–20) Paul mentioned seven unique characteristics of Christ, which fittingly qualify Him to have “the supremacy” (v. 18). Christ is: (1) the image of God, (2) the Firstborn over Creation, (3) Creator of the universe, (4) Head of the church, (5) Firstborn from the dead, (6) the fullness of God, and (7) the Reconciler of all things
2. Content: Both descriptions in v.15 are related to John 1:1-18, the image of the invisible God=For “no one has ever seen God, but God the only Son … has made Him known” (John 1:18); the firstborn over all creation= John 1:3 All things were created by him, and apart from him not one thing was created that has been created. Perhaps Paul and John were both writing with the purpose of defending against the beginning form of Gnosticism. (BKC) It contained several characteristics. (1) It was Jewish, stressing the need for observing Old Testament laws and ceremonies. (2) It was philosophical, laying emphasis on some special or deeper knowledge (gnōsis). (3) It involved the worship of angels as mediators to God (2:18). (4) It was exclusivistic, stressing the special privilege and “perfection” of those select few who belonged to this philosophical elite. (5) It was also Christological
It was not the Law, philosophy, or the authority of the angels, or the philosophical elite but Christ who is supreme. He is God the Son in John 1.
Summary: Since God the Son, the supreme, redeemed us, when we are in His Kingdom we remained in the light of God and for this we should give thanks to God. The giving thanks to God is one of the characteristics for whose lives living worthily of the Lord as a result of knowing of his will.
Reflection: Do I ever give thanks to God because of Jesus, the Supreme, has redeemed me? Do I give thanks because of His supremacy over all creation? If I see Him as supreme over the Law, the philosophy, and elite then how shall I live my live?
Reflection related to Isa 9:6: Jesus, the Supreme, is not just my Adviser in a sense of knowing the will of God, but also as a cause of why I will live according to the will of God (as one who will give thanks to God for redemption). His advise is sure and secure. I should have no doubt in trusting His advise. That is very different from the AI (the topic of today's devotion).
Adviser (Col 2:1-3)
2 For I want you to know how great a struggle I have for you, and for those in Laodicea, and for those who have not met me face to face. 2 My goal is that their hearts, having been knit together in love, may be encouraged, and that they may have all the riches that assurance brings in their understanding of the knowledge of the mystery of God, namely, Christ, 3 in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.
Why do Paul struggle a great deal is to meet one goal: that is to encourage their heart. That means, (BKC) "Confidence and strength of conviction as well as cohesive unity yield a full understanding of the truth...And this understanding is Christocentric."
In v.2-3, 2 things are repeated about Jesus, namely, He is the mystery/hidden knowledge. (Dallas Dev) "In Isaiah’s prophecy (Isaiah 9:6), one of the titles ascribed to the coming Messiah was “Wonderful Counselor.” The term wonderful is a word that means extraordinary to a level beyond comprehension. When Paul writes to the Colossians in refutation of those claiming unusual spiritual insight, he counters with the superiority of Jesus Christ—the ultimate Sage."
"Paul argues throughout the Book of Colossians that believers can have such rich experiences with Christ that supersede any promised by a person or group that promotes an alternative, false Christianity." Am I foolish like the Colossians to abandon Christ, the wise beyond comprehension Adviser to seek the claiming unusual spiritual insight? Do I see that He is the wisdom and knowledge?
Audrey
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