A series on Isaiah
9:6 – The Child of Prophecy
– Everlasting Father
(Click on the link below to read the verses.)
Isaiah 40:1-11; 28-31
[Jesus was a
child of prophecy. The Christmas story in the Bible was predicted in many Old
Testament prophecies but the centerpiece of these is Isaiah 9:6. It was written
nearly six hundred years before Jesus’ birth. In this series we’re going to
look at the meaning and implications of this amazing prophecy.]
In a world where nothing seems to last – marriages and jobs for instance – it would be nice to have something that you could count on. Something that would last forever.
Isaiah lived in a time when the world was unstable. Nothing lasted! The
people that God had called as His own, had divided into two nations – Israel
and Judah. Unable to reconcile, there was bad blood between the two.
In addition, Assyria was aggressively invading the nations of the known
world. They were a very real threat to Judah and Jerusalem. Many Jews would be
captured and others forcibly exiled to a foreign land. Nothing seemed to last
forever.
However, during this time of uncertainty, Isaiah spoke these words about
an Everlasting Father.
6 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. NIV Isaiah 9
Later, in Isaiah 40, he spoke about the
comfort that God would bring to his people. He painted a picture of “preparing the way” for a
king who would return to Jerusalem! He described how people are like grass
which will wither, but that “the word of our God
endures forever”! Finally, he declared how the people of
Jerusalem would shout, “Your God is
coming!”
The Energizer bunny keeps going and going and going. If only life were so
simple. But life can be hectic, if not chaotic. Life can be out of control,
despite our best efforts to control it. Life can be painful, even though we try
to avoid pain.
Thankfully, our God, is a God who comforts us in those chaotic, out of
control and painful times. To make this point, Isaiah used a shepherd as an
example.
11 He will feed his flock like a shepherd.
He will carry the lambs in his arms,
holding them close to his heart.
He will gently lead the mother sheep with their young. NLT
Jesus embraced the imagery of being a shepherd. But for him, it wasn’t
just imagery, it was who he was and what he came to accomplish. Jesus said, “I
am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep”.
When we experience the comfort of the “good
shepherd”, he gives us hope and strength to keep going and going and
going.
will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
they will run and not grow weary,
they will walk and not be faint. NIV
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