The Prophetic Foretelling of the Birth of Jesus
The book of Isaiah is a treasure of prophetic insights that God the Father gave to one of His children, and among its most profound passages are the words found in Isaiah 9:6-7. These verses not only foretell the birth of Jesus Christ but also paint a vivid picture of His eternal reign. As we delve into these prophetic words, we uncover the depth of their significance and explore how they continue to resonate in our lives today.
A Glimpse into the Future
Isaiah 9:6-7 is giving us a prophetic look into the future for Israel and the world when Isaiah says, "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. Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David's throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the Lord Almighty will accomplish this."
These verses are a picture and proof of Messianic prophecy, offering a glimpse into the future birth and reign of Jesus Christ. Isaiah spoke these words and penned them roughly 700 years before the event occured. Many likely heard these words and were expectant of their proof within their lifetime, but God operates on a different level of time. The prophecy was spoken at just the right time, and the fulfillment came at just the right time. The beauty of this prophecy is that Isaiah was unable to fully comprehend the word from the Lord himself, but he submitted to God’s voice, and shared what God shared with him. They encapsulate the hope and anticipation of a Savior who would bring peace, justice, and righteousness to the world. The world needed then, what the world needs now. This prophecy still has power today and we are able to see this power unfold because of the fulfillment of this prophetic word.
God Speaks Truth and His Words will be Fulfilled
The prophecy in Isaiah 9:6-7 finds its fulfillment in the birth of Jesus Christ, as recorded in the New Testament. The angel Gabriel's announcement to Mary in Luke 1:31-33 echoes the exact words of Isaiah: "You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over Jacob's descendants forever; his kingdom will never end."
This divine proclamation confirms that Jesus is the long-awaited Messiah, the child born to bring salvation to humanity. His birth is not just a historical event but a fulfillment of God's promise to His people. What other god becomes like a child? I bet you cannot name a single one, whether it be from greek mythology or some other form of a powerless idol; every other god tries to convince their subjects that they are the most powerful. God does not have to convince anyone, He just is all-powerful. The way the Almighty God proves His “all-powerfulness” is through the irony of becoming human, which seems like the weakest and most unconvincing way to prove anything. God showed us His almighty power firsthand by becoming one of us and living perfectly and powerfully through birth, death, resurrection, and ascension, to His long-awaited return. God fulfilled prophecy through His birth, to show that His words are pre-eminent, everlasting, and able to be trusted wholeheartedly. Do we still believe His Word to be all of these things? If you know the story of Jesus’ birth and believe in it, then you should still believe His words carry power and weight today. His Word is still true, in the same way it was back then.
A Reflection of His Nature
Isaiah 9:6 gives us an idea and informative descriptions of this God-child to be:
Wonderful Counselor: Jesus is the source of wisdom and guidance, offering counsel that surpasses human understanding. In John 14:26, Jesus promises the Holy Spirit as our Counselor, guiding us in truth and wisdom. Because of His birth, and the evidence of His life, we can have a better understanding of the Spirit of God that lives within believers today.
Mighty God: Jesus embodies the power and authority of God. Colossians 2:9 affirms this, stating, "For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form." God became flesh, fully Divine, fully flesh, to show us His humility, and His love for His children. He declared that He is willing to become like us so He can be trusted as our King.
Everlasting Father: Jesus' care and compassion are eternal, reflecting the heart of a loving and intimate Father. In John 10:30, Jesus declares, "I and the Father are one," emphasizing His divine relationship with God the Father. If you believe in God the Father, you must believe in God the Son; they are co-equal, co-eternal, co-existent as the One True God.
Prince of Peace: Jesus brings peace to a troubled world, offering reconciliation with God and harmony among people. In John 14:27, Jesus assures us, "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you." God alone has the ability to bring true peace. Jesus brought peace on this earth during his time here with us. He has given peace, currently provides His people with peace, and will bring peace eternally when He returns.
A Kingdom of Justice and Righteousness
Isaiah 9:7 speaks of the eternal reign of Jesus, characterized by justice and righteousness. This reign is not limited to a specific time or place but extends throughout eternity. Revelation 11:15 reaffirms this prophetic promise: "The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Messiah, and he will reign for ever and ever."
Jesus' reign is precisely marked by two things:
Justice: Jesus upholds justice, defending the oppressed and ensuring fairness. In Matthew 12:18, it is written, "Here is my servant whom I have chosen, the one I love, in whom I delight; I will put my Spirit on him, and he will proclaim justice to the nations." Jesus is the most just individual to have ever lived and to ever live. His justice is firm, upright, consistent, and unbiased. His birth and life were evidence of this truth, and because He has given us His Spirit, we can be just through His leadership.
Righteousness: Jesus embodies righteousness, living a sinless life and offering His righteousness to us. 2 Corinthians 5:21 states, "God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God." You must notice that this scripture reference does not just refer to God, but also to us. It is through Jesus Christ that we can be righteous, as He is righteous. It is through the evidence of Jesus’ life, that we know this to be true. Again, His disciples have His Spirit, therefore, we have life as He has life.
Applying the Miraculous Prophetic Birth
The prophetic words of Isaiah are not just ancient texts but LIVING TRUTHS that we GET TO apply to our lives today. Here are just a few ways we can embrace these prophecies:
Embrace Jesus as Our Wonderful Counselor: In times of confusion and uncertainty, we can turn to Jesus for wisdom and guidance in prayer by asking for clarity and His opinion. By seeking His counsel through prayer and scripture, we can navigate life's challenges with divine insight.
Recognize Jesus as Our Mighty God: Acknowledging Jesus' divine power and authority can deeply strengthen our faith and our witness. We must speak through prayer, the authority of our Mighty God! When we face trials, we can trust in His ability to overcome any obstacle and provide for our needs.
Experience Jesus as Our Everlasting Father: Understanding Jesus' eternal care and compassion will bring comfort and assurance, especially as we interact with Him through prayer throughout each day. We can find genuine rest in His love, knowing that He is always with us, guiding and protecting us. This is as a result of His life, and the Spirit He gave to us after His departure.
Live in the Peace of Jesus, Our Prince of Peace: In a world filled with turmoil, we can only find peace in Jesus Christ. By accepting His peace, we can experience a peace that surpasses human understanding and now have the ability to extend that peace to others, fostering harmony in our lives and in our world. The only way we can extend peace to others is if we consistently experience peace in our lives; I challenge you to sit with the Lord intentionally every day, asking for His peace to wash over you and then be aware of your mind, thoughts, and physical body and how it reacts to His peace.
Uphold Justice and Righteousness: As disciples, we are all called to reflect His kingdom’s values. By advocating for justice and living righteously, we can be agents of change and transformation in our communities, embodying the principles of His eternal reign. This does not mean you enact justice on your own, but only by His leadership, direction, and guidance; all happening as a result of living with Jesus in prayer. All of this requires His active voice in our lives, meaning we must listen carefully to His voice.
His Birth Still Matters Every Day
The prophetic words of Isaiah in Isaiah 9:6-7 offer a profound glimpse into the birth and reign of Jesus Christ on this earth today. These verses remind us of the hope and promise of a Savior who brings wisdom, power, compassion, and peace through us, to a world full of spiritual darkness. As we reflect on these prophetic verses, we are invited to apply their truths to our lives, embracing Jesus as our Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and Prince of Peace. By doing so, we can tangibly experience the fullness of His kingdom and live out His values while we still remain on the earth as His ambassadors.