Isaiah 9:6
Christmas 2014
• The name Isaiah means salvation of the Lord.
Salvation (deliverance) is the key theme of this
book.
• Isaiah was called to his ministry in the year that
King Uzziah died (6:1) (739 BC).
• Isaiah ministered through the reigns of Jotham,
Ahaz, and Hezekiah (who died in 686).
• Tradition says that Manasseh, King Hezekiah's
successor, killed Isaiah by having him sawn in half
(Hebrews 11:37).
• The context of Isaiah 9:6 is judgment because of
sin. There is constant warfare because of
invading armies.
• Even in the midst of this constant turmoil God
gives a message of hope: “Immanuel” (7:14) – “God
with us,” and the promise of a coming deliverer
(9:6).
Isaiah 9:6 ( NKJV ) For unto us a Child is
born (the Humanity of our Lord Jesus
Christ), Unto us a Son (the Deity of our
Lord Jesus Christ) is given;
That's it! That is the Christmas message!
The rest of the verse is 2nd Advent!
And the government will be upon His
shoulder.
And His name will be called
Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
• Some see 2 titles here - Wonderful and
Counselor, but it is best seen as a couplet
like the following 3 titles.
• "Wonderful" pele' (H6382 - TWOT 1768a)
a wonder; a marvel; extraordinary; hard to
understand; a miracle; a marvelous thing.
• Refers to the acts of God that are unusual,
beyond human capabilities.
• It awakens astonishment in man.
• It is translated "too hard" in Genesis
18:14; Jeremiah 32:17, 27.
• "Counselor" ya'ates (H3289 - TWOT
887) to advise; to deliberate; to
resolve; to counsel; to determine; to
devise; to guide.
• Refers to a well thought out plan;
reflects the careful deliberation that
goes into planning for battle or for
defense; strategy.
• Cf. Acts 2:23; 4:28; Ephesians 1:11;
Hebrews 6:17.
• The NET Bible translates these 2
words, "extraordinary strategist."
• Here it probably refers to the King’s
ability to devise military strategy, as
suggested by the context (cf. vv. 3-4 and
the following title, El Gibbor).
• The Lord has placed us in the very best
possible strategic position for the conflict
(involving tactics) facing us.
• Jeremiah 29:11 shows that God has a
wonderful plan for our lives, as does
Ephesians 2:10 and 2 Timothy 1:9.
• 1 John 5:4 shows that we will always have
the victory as long as we are walking with
the Lord. See Ephesians 1:19.
“The Mighty God” (El Gibbor)
• Next in Isaiah 9:6 is “The Mighty God” (El
Gibbor).
• One might translate “God is a warrior” or
“God is mighty.”
• He is the God of all power –
dunamis (G1411) – inherent power; power
residing in a thing by virtue of its nature;
ability.
• He has the power to raise the dead - 1
Corinthians 6:14; 15:43.
• He has the power to give us strength in our
times of weakness, reproaches, needs,
persecutions, & distress - 2 Corinthians
12:9
“The Mighty God” (El Gibbor)
• He is able to work great things through us as we trust in
His working in our lives - Ephesians 1:19.
– “exceeding” huperballō (G5235) – to surpass in
throwing; to throw over or beyond any thing; to
transcend, surpass, exceed, or excel.
– “greatness” megethos (G3174) – greatness or
magnitude.
– “power” dunamis (G1411) - inherent power; power
residing in a thing by virtue of its nature; ability.
– “working” energeia (G1753) – operative power; in the
NT used only of superhuman power.
– “mighty” ischus (G2479) – ability; force; strength;
might (cf. 6:10).
– “power” kratos (G2904) – force; strength; power;
might; a mighty deed;[ a work of power; mighty with
great power; manifested power.
– “worked” (vs. 20) energeō (G1754).
“The Mighty God” (El Gibbor)
• He is able to work great things through us as we trust in His
working in our lives - Ephesians 3:20.
– “able” pres. act. part. of dunamai (G1410) – to be able; have
power; to be able to do something; to be capable, strong, &
powerful.
– “to do” aor. act. inf. of poieō (G4160) – to make; to be the
author of; cause; to do.
– “exceedingly” huper (G5228) – over; beyond; more than; above.
– “abundantly above” huperekperissou (G5228, G1537, & G4053)
– in over abundance; beyond all measure; superabundantly.
• huper (G5228) (see above).
• ek (G1537) – out of.
• perissos (G4053) – exceeding some number, measure, rank, or need;
over & above; more than is necessary; superadded; exceedingly
abundantly.
“Superabundantly above the greatest abundance – to an extent
we cannot express or imagine.”
– “power” dunamis (G1411) – inherent power.
– “works” pres. mid. part. of energeō (G1754) – operative power.
“The Mighty God” (El Gibbor)
• The power that El Gibbor gives is associated with
His Word - 1 Thessalonians 1:5 (dunamis – G1411) &
Hebrews 4:12 (energēs – G1756).
• The power that El Gibbor gives has no fear
associated with it - 2 Timothy 1:7 (dunamis –
G1411).
• El Gibbor’s power is so strong, that it holds
together the universe - Hebrews 1:3 (dunamis –
G1411).
• El Gibbor’s power is so strong, that it can protect
us from anything - 1 Peter 1:5 (dunamis – G1411) (cf.
2 Timothy 1:12 & Romans 8:31-39).
• El Gibbor’s power gives us EVERYTHING that we
need to have an abundant, overflowing life & purity
of life – 2 Peter 1:3 (dunamis – G1411).
“Everlasting Father”
• Literally, the “Father (originator or source) of
Eternity.”
• This is not the same as “God The Father”
• If you want anything eternal, you must get it through
Jesus Christ.
• “eternal” aiōnios (G166) – Without beginning & end;
that which always has been & always will be;
everlasting; forever; eternal.
• We have imputed righteousness (+R) which gives us
eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord -Rom. 5:21.
• We Have the gift of eternal life through Jesus Christ
our Lord - Rom. 6:23.
• Our burdens here are nothing compared to the glory
we will have in eternity - II Cor. 4:17, 18.
• We will have an eternal body so wonderful that we
can’t even begin to imagine it - II Cor. 5:1-4.
“Everlasting Father”
• We are to fight the good fight of faith & we
are to endure so that others may be saved &
obtain eternal glory - I Tim. 6:12; II Tim.
2:10.
• We have the Hope (assurance) of eternal life
- Titus 1:2; 3:7.
• We have eternal redemption through the
work of Christ on the Cross - Heb. 9:12.
• We have an eternal inheritance through the
work of Christ on the Cross - Heb. 9:15.
• We are called to God’s Eternal Glory - I Pet.
5:10.
“Prince of Peace”
• “Prince” – sar (H8269 – TWOT 2295a) – prince;
ruler; chief; a noble; a captain, general, or
commander; a ruler of rulers (see Josh. 5:14, 15).
• “Peace” – shalom (H7965 – TWOT 2401a) – peace;
quiet; tranquility; contentment; safety.
• “Shalom“ is used in Judges 6:24 for one of the
names of God (YHWH Shalom – The LORD Is
Peace).
• The Lord Jesus Christ will bring peace on earth
with an iron hand as Commander of the Armies of
Heaven.
• See context of Is. 9:6. Also see Rev. 19.
• At His First Advent, Christ came not to bring
peace, but a sword (Matt. 10:34).
•
•
•
•
“Prince of Peace”
However, Christ does bring peace to those who
walk in His ways (Luke 2:14 – lit., “peace among
men in whom He is well pleased”).
“Peace” eirenē (G1515) – a state of national
tranquility; harmony between individuals; security;
safety; well-being.
The tranquil state of a soul assured of its
salvation through Christ, and so fearing nothing
from God, & content with its earthly lot, of
whatever sort that is.
Christ brought peace (reconciliation) between us &
God by His work on the Cross (Eph. 2:14-18; Col.
1:20).
This is the removal of the barrier between God &
man.
“Prince of Peace”
• Trusting in God through His Word brings joy & peace
(Rom. 15:13).
• The peace of God is a referee in our hearts that lets
us know when we are walking in His way (Col. 3:15).
• To walk in our own way kills us, but to walk in God’s way
gives us peace & capacity for life (Rom. 8:6).
• Peace is part of the fruit of the Spirit (Gal. 5:22) & is
to be sown by us (Jms. 3:17, 18; Eph. 6:15; Heb. 12:14).
• The God of Peace (YHWH Shalom) has sanctified us, is
sanctifying us, & will sanctify us - totally (I Thess.
5:23; Heb. 13:20, 21).
• It is God’s desire that we have His peace always, in
every way (II Thess. 3:16; II Pet. 3:14) – this is NOT
dependent on circumstances (John 14:27; 16).
“Prince of Peace”
• We can have:
– Peace with God (Rom. 5:1);
– Peace from God (Rom. 1:7; I Cor. 1:3; etc.);
– Peace of God (Phil. 4:7, 9).
Also see Matt. 11:28-30
Shalom !
Go forth in
Peace!