Saturday, January 4, 2025

The Incongruities of Life

A series on Isaiah 9:6 – The Child of Prophecy
 – Mighty God
(Click on the link below to read the verses.)
Isaiah 8:19-9:7 

[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.]

  


The definition of the word incongruous is: “strange because of not agreeing with what is usual or expected”. Something that is incongruous is something that doesn’t fit; it doesn’t make sense; it’s out of place... like a duck out of water.

 

In the days that Isaiah walked the earth, the Israelites were in a hopeless situation. Judah and Israel were already divided and at odds with one another. On top of that, Assyria was baring down on both.

 

As a result, the Israelites were dealing with economic oppression, war and destruction. However, rather than calling out to the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, they consulted mediums.

 

Despite this, Isaiah brought a message of hope from the Lord. He told them that “darkness and despair will not go on forever”. That the “rod of the oppressor” would be broken… could that be Assyria? That warfare would end. 


Then he made a statement that had so many incongruities that it would make your head spin.

 

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 goes on to say that the child will sit on David’s throne for eternity. How can this be? How can a child, a little baby, at the same time be called Mighty God and establish an eternal kingdom?


 

The Israelites may very well have applied Isaiah’s words to their situation at the time. But the truth is, his words were a Messianic prophecy that wouldn’t be fulfilled for over 700 years.

 

In Matthew 4 we read that when John the Baptist was put in prison, Jesus left Judea and returned to Galilee.

 

13 He went first to Nazareth, then left there and moved to Capernaum, beside the Sea of Galilee, in the region of Zebulun and Naphtali. 14 This fulfilled what God said through the prophet Isaiah:

15 “In the land of Zebulun and of Naphtali,
    beside the sea, beyond the Jordan River,
    in Galilee where so many Gentiles live,
16 the people who sat in darkness
    have seen a great light.
And for those who lived in the land where death casts its shadow,
    a light has shined.”
        NLT

 

Isaiah spoke words that on the surface were filled with incongruities. But in the fulness of time, in God’s time, his words made perfect sense. The child would be called Mighty God as he established the Kingdom of Heaven. An eternal kingdom that still brings light and hope for us today.

 

God works through the incongruities of life. Even when we experience great troubles, He is the “the great and mighty and awesome God, who keeps his covenant of unfailing love”.

 

Copyright 2025 Joseph B Williams

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