Isaiah’s Prophecy
For to us a child is born, to us a son is given. (Isaiah 9:6)
This passage in Isaiah’s prophecy opens with the word nevertheless. To gain insight as to what this means we must consider the end of the prior chapter.
There Isaiah writes of the time when the people have turned their backs on God and are suffering the consequences of their actions. They see only distress, darkness, and gloom.
Nevertheless, there will come a future time when the gloom of those in distress will fade. The people, those walking in darkness, will see a great light. It’s the dawn of a new day (see John 1:4–5). In that time there will be joy and rejoicing. But why?
Because a child will be born, God’s Son sent to earth to save us. His name will be Jesus (Matthew 1:21 and Luke 1:31), and he’ll be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and Prince of Peace. What a profound list of names; what an impressive record of his attributes.
As Wonderful, Jesus will be admirable and elicit astonishment from all who see him.
As Counselor, Jesus will teach us. Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John record his words, along with his actions for us to emulate. Though we think of the Holy Spirit as our Counselor, remember that the characteristics of one part of the Trinity apply to all.
As Mighty God, Jesus will show everyone his almighty power. He’ll heal people, raise the dead, and forgive sins.
As Everlasting Father, he lives eternally.
And as Prince of Peace, he will usher in a time of harmony.
Ruling on David’s throne, this child will grow up to carry the government on his shoulders. He’ll reign over his kingdom with justice and righteousness from that time forward and forevermore.
Imagine living under a political power that provides both a just and a right leadership, governing without fault or variation.
All this arrives through Jesus and begins when he comes to earth as a child to live among us.
Part of Isaiah’s prophecy is fulfilled with the Savior’s birth, with Jesus’s arrival establishing the framework for much of the remaining details of the prophet’s declaration. We eagerly await the complete fulfillment of it when we, as his church, marry the Lamb (Revelation 19:7).
And this all begins when Father God sends his one and only Son into our world to save us (John 3:16–17).
What kind of future do we have because of Jesus?
How can we best live our life now as we await our final destination with him?
Prayer: Jesus, may we live each day for you, mindful of who you are and what you did for us. Continue to teach us through the Holy Spirit and prepare us to live with you for eternity.
[Learn more about Isaiah in the devotional Bible study For Unto Us: 40 Prophetic Insights About Jesus, Justice, and Gentiles from the Prophet Isaiah.]
[This devotional is taken from the December 20 reading from The Advent of Jesus.]
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Peter DeHaan writes about biblical Christianity to confront status quo religion and live a life that matters. He seeks a fresh approach to following Jesus through the lens of Scripture, without the baggage of made-up traditions and meaningless practices.
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