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Wonderful

 

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)

 On the appointed day Herod, wearing his royal robes, sat on his throne and delivered a public address to the people.  They shouted, “This is the voice of a god, not of a man.” (Acts 12:21-22)

 Yes, I know, it’s February, not December, but in December, we focus on the first two phrases. Today, I want to focus on the first of the titles in the list: Wonderful Counselor. In the Bible, wonder refers to God’s supernatural ability.

What’s interesting about the second passage is that it was about Herod. It was normal for the Ceasars in Rome and other imperial sorts, but Herod wasn’t a Ceasar. I wonder what would have happened if he had lived and Ceasar found out. Instead, he died. It might seem unfair for God to have killed him because of what others said about him, but he accepted the praise as if it were true.

But Isaiah is basically saying the same thing. The one who would be born would be given a title appropriate only to God within the Jewish faith.  It would have been entirely inappropriate for anyone to proclaim anyone a Wonderful Counselor… except God.

Then again, the very next words announce that this son who would be born would be Mighty God. Let’s take it up another notch…Everlasting Father! How in the world could the son born be the Everlasting Father? Then, after stepping over the line of impossibility and incredulity, Isaiah steps back across with the prophecy that this son would be called the Prince of Peace. That’s easier to understand. All it takes is for him to conquer the whole world by persuasion or coercion. Yeah, easy peasy.

But getting back to the Wonderful Counselor. Let’s make it practical. What would you like counseling about? A relationship? Finances? Where to live? How to stop failing? Take it to your Counselor. Ask Him. Write it in your journal and listen for His answer.

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