The Wonderful Counselor
“His name shall be called Wonderful Counselor…”—Isaiah 9:7 (ESV)
Isaiah wrote during one of the gloomiest times of Israel’s history. Assyrians ruled the Jewish nation. In the midst of great darkness and despair, he prophesied about a coming ruler who would not only free his people from Assyrian tyranny, but would do more than any ruler the world had ever known. He would rule over the entire world and His kingdom would never end. In our passage for today, we have the first of a series of titles given to this coming ruler. He shall be called, “Wonderful Counselor,” which means that He would be a counselor of unparalleled wisdom.
Jesus’ wisdom WAS unparalleled. Throughout His life, men tried to trick Him into doing something that would make Him guilty, either in the sight of His followers, the crowds, or the Roman government. When the woman caught in the act of adultery was brought before Him, those who brought her demanded He agree that she be put to death. Jesus stooped down and wrote on the ground with His finger. Unabated by His act, they became incessant, demanding that He decree her death. He stood and responded, “Let him who is without sin among you be the first to throw a stone at her"—John 8:7b (ESV). Jesus had fulfilled the requirement of the law, offered mercy, and even indicted her accusers at the same time. What wisdom!
Or consider the Pharisees and Herodians when they sought to trap Him in regards to the legitimacy of paying taxes to Caesar. If He told the crowd to pay, He would have been hated, because Rome was the unlawful ruler of Israel. If He advocated that they don’t pay, then He could be accused of sedition against the Roman state. He did something utterly profound. He requested a small Roman coin called a denarius. Then He questioned the crowd, “Whose likeness and inscription is this?” The crowd answered, “Caesar’s.” Jesus responded, “Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s”—Mark 12:17 (ESV). Jesus upheld paying taxes and revealed what true loyalty to God meant.
Jesus is the Wonderful Counselor that Isaiah prophesied. He is the embodiment of wisdom and He counsels us by His Word and Holy Spirit. The incarnation not only reveals God’s love for us, but also displays a giving, active love that listens and speaks truth into our lives during the most difficult times. God promises to give us a similar wisdom when we ask (James 1:5).
Dear brother or sister, I know that you may be facing a situation right now that is beyond your ability to comprehend or act. I don’t know what it is, but God does. He is ready to give you the wisdom necessary to get through, but you must ask of Him. You must converse with Him through prayer. He is ready and willing to listen, after all, He is, the Wonderful Counselor. Amen.
Isaiah wrote during one of the gloomiest times of Israel’s history. Assyrians ruled the Jewish nation. In the midst of great darkness and despair, he prophesied about a coming ruler who would not only free his people from Assyrian tyranny, but would do more than any ruler the world had ever known. He would rule over the entire world and His kingdom would never end. In our passage for today, we have the first of a series of titles given to this coming ruler. He shall be called, “Wonderful Counselor,” which means that He would be a counselor of unparalleled wisdom.
Jesus’ wisdom WAS unparalleled. Throughout His life, men tried to trick Him into doing something that would make Him guilty, either in the sight of His followers, the crowds, or the Roman government. When the woman caught in the act of adultery was brought before Him, those who brought her demanded He agree that she be put to death. Jesus stooped down and wrote on the ground with His finger. Unabated by His act, they became incessant, demanding that He decree her death. He stood and responded, “Let him who is without sin among you be the first to throw a stone at her"—John 8:7b (ESV). Jesus had fulfilled the requirement of the law, offered mercy, and even indicted her accusers at the same time. What wisdom!
Or consider the Pharisees and Herodians when they sought to trap Him in regards to the legitimacy of paying taxes to Caesar. If He told the crowd to pay, He would have been hated, because Rome was the unlawful ruler of Israel. If He advocated that they don’t pay, then He could be accused of sedition against the Roman state. He did something utterly profound. He requested a small Roman coin called a denarius. Then He questioned the crowd, “Whose likeness and inscription is this?” The crowd answered, “Caesar’s.” Jesus responded, “Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s”—Mark 12:17 (ESV). Jesus upheld paying taxes and revealed what true loyalty to God meant.
Jesus is the Wonderful Counselor that Isaiah prophesied. He is the embodiment of wisdom and He counsels us by His Word and Holy Spirit. The incarnation not only reveals God’s love for us, but also displays a giving, active love that listens and speaks truth into our lives during the most difficult times. God promises to give us a similar wisdom when we ask (James 1:5).
Dear brother or sister, I know that you may be facing a situation right now that is beyond your ability to comprehend or act. I don’t know what it is, but God does. He is ready to give you the wisdom necessary to get through, but you must ask of Him. You must converse with Him through prayer. He is ready and willing to listen, after all, He is, the Wonderful Counselor. Amen.
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