Passage: In the past He humbled the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, but in the future He will honor Galilee of the Gentiles, by the way of the sea, along the Jordan –The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned. You have enlarged the nation and increased their joy; they rejoice before you as people rejoice at the harvest, as men rejoice when dividing the plunder.
For as in the day of Midian’s defeat, you have shattered the yoke that burdens them, the bar across their shoulders, the rod of their oppressor. Every warrior’s boot used in battle and every garment rolled in blood will be destined for burning, will be fuel for the fire.
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 increase 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.
Journal: Today’s passage is one of the most well known, as well as one of the most hopeful, passages in all of sacred scripture. God is providing a deliverer. He will be a divine light to shine in the human darkness. He will be humble and human (“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given . . .”), and He will be powerful and divine (“. . . and the government will be on His shoulders”). He is both God and man.
First, He is our “Wonderful Counselor.” There are so many places to go, and a variety of people to see, to receive counseling. I provide legal counseling in my profession. Some of the counseling people receive is quite helpful, and some counseling is quite harmful. The common denominator of all human counseling is that it is imperfect. However, the wisdom of Christ is part of the perfection of Christ. His counseling contains no holes or errors. It is “wonderful,” for Christ is the wisdom of God. His instructions are precise. His opinions have no higher authority. His recommendations are trustworthy. His advice is life changing. Imagine a counselor that knows all and discerns all. It is He, our Wonderful Counselor.
Next, He is our “Mighty God.” Christ is human, and yet divine. (John 1:14 – “The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us. We have seen His glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.”) This incarnation is difficult to fathom, and yet is undeniably true. Why would God humble Himself in this fashion? I can’t begin to understand it, and yet I know it was done to further His great glory. I can understand that it evidenced a type of love that otherwise would have no example or illustration. The life that Christ lived is unlike any other life that could be lived. He came and He conquered, and the victor was His great glory. His great glory is furthered by the lives that He saved, even as He was offering Himself up for death. This sacrificial love is “might.” It is He, our Mighty God.
Monday, we will look at His roles as our “Everlasting Father” and our “Prince of Peace.”
Heard ‘Round the House:
Friday night is pallet night at our house, and is looked to with great anticipation. It involves a passel of kids spread out on the floor of our room. Last night, Jill was on the floor next to Anna (age 7) and was puckered up for a good night kiss (Anna is at the stage of really loving smooches one moment and withholding smooches the next moment). This time, Anna turned away prompting this affectionate conversation out of puckered lips –
Mommy: Anna, I’m going to tell you the same thing I told Luke when he was your age. Hugs and kisses are good for you! You need them. You will be much better off if you give them and get them.
Anna: I have an idea. What do you say we go for a hug tonight and save the kiss for tomorrow . . .
Journal: Today’s passage is one of the most well known, as well as one of the most hopeful, passages in all of sacred scripture. God is providing a deliverer. He will be a divine light to shine in the human darkness. He will be humble and human (“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given . . .”), and He will be powerful and divine (“. . . and the government will be on His shoulders”). He is both God and man.
First, He is our “Wonderful Counselor.” There are so many places to go, and a variety of people to see, to receive counseling. I provide legal counseling in my profession. Some of the counseling people receive is quite helpful, and some counseling is quite harmful. The common denominator of all human counseling is that it is imperfect. However, the wisdom of Christ is part of the perfection of Christ. His counseling contains no holes or errors. It is “wonderful,” for Christ is the wisdom of God. His instructions are precise. His opinions have no higher authority. His recommendations are trustworthy. His advice is life changing. Imagine a counselor that knows all and discerns all. It is He, our Wonderful Counselor.
Next, He is our “Mighty God.” Christ is human, and yet divine. (John 1:14 – “The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us. We have seen His glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.”) This incarnation is difficult to fathom, and yet is undeniably true. Why would God humble Himself in this fashion? I can’t begin to understand it, and yet I know it was done to further His great glory. I can understand that it evidenced a type of love that otherwise would have no example or illustration. The life that Christ lived is unlike any other life that could be lived. He came and He conquered, and the victor was His great glory. His great glory is furthered by the lives that He saved, even as He was offering Himself up for death. This sacrificial love is “might.” It is He, our Mighty God.
Monday, we will look at His roles as our “Everlasting Father” and our “Prince of Peace.”
Heard ‘Round the House:
Friday night is pallet night at our house, and is looked to with great anticipation. It involves a passel of kids spread out on the floor of our room. Last night, Jill was on the floor next to Anna (age 7) and was puckered up for a good night kiss (Anna is at the stage of really loving smooches one moment and withholding smooches the next moment). This time, Anna turned away prompting this affectionate conversation out of puckered lips –
Mommy: Anna, I’m going to tell you the same thing I told Luke when he was your age. Hugs and kisses are good for you! You need them. You will be much better off if you give them and get them.
Anna: I have an idea. What do you say we go for a hug tonight and save the kiss for tomorrow . . .
