TODAY’S SPECIAL: Isaiah 9:1-7
TO CHEW ON: "For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace." Isaiah 9:6
Have you ever been in pitch black darkness? If you’ve turned on a flashlight to find your way at night, or lit a candle when the electricity went out, you know how even a tiny light pushes the dark aside. Isaiah’s prediction about a wonderful child who would be born was such a ray of light in a dark time.
This child would bring light. His names would be Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father and Prince of Peace. He would be from David’s family. And His kingdom would last forever.
Has this prediction come true? Yes – in the birth of Jesus.
- Jesus is the light: John 8:12
- the Spirit of Jesus is called Counselor: John 14:16
- Jesus is God: Hebrews 1:3
- Jesus and the Father are one: John 14:7-10
- Jesus is from David’s family: Matthew 1:1
- Jesus’ kingdom will never end: Luke 1:32,33
In this engraving from the 1800s, artist Julius Schnorr von Carolsfeld illustrated some of the things mentioned in Isaiah 6 and 9. Can you see the angel coming to Isaiah with the coal?
The virgin and child? A king? What else does the artist show?
Isn’t it wonderful that hundreds of years before Jesus’ birth, a prophet like Isaiah could predict that He would come? Prophecies that came true show us the words Isaiah and other prophets wrote were from God. They show us that the Bible really is a special book.
PRAYER: Dear God, thank You for sending Jesus, just like You promised. Amen.
MORE: Jesus’ Names
The names of Jesus help us see how He can help us. If we need wise advice, He can be a Counselor to us. If we need a miracle, He is Mighty God. If we need loving care, He is our Everlasting Father. If we need peace, He is the Prince of Peace.
Pick one of these four names, below, and write your prayer for God’s advice, help, love or peace.
Wonderful Counselor, I need advice about _____________________
Mighty God, I need help with _____________________
Everlasting Father, I need love because _____________________
Prince of Peace I need peace in _______________________