Isaiah 9:6-7  The Characteristics of God’s Rule that Bring Peace and Prosperity

Isaiah 9:6-7

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. 7 Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and forevermore. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this.

Background

The advent of the Christ Child who would save Israel from oppression was foretold by Isaiah during a time of humiliation and destruction by the Assyrians. The four names of Christ depict the characteristics of His rule on earth. These characteristics are expressed through the sons of God who will rule with Christ to restore enduring peace and prosperity in the world.

Observation

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given

The prophecy implies the Savior as coming in human form but free from the corruption that was in world. The word “child” connotes humanness for the Savior must begin life being born as a child. “Son” connotes perfection, which is none other than the Son of God, the incarnation of God Himself. Christmas celebrates the birth God’s Son in human weakness being given as a gift of salvation for humanity.

And the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace

The Christ Child is appointed by God to rule the universe: the government shall be upon his shoulder. The four names represent the characteristics of Christ’s rule on earth. Even as Christ was already exalted to the right hand of God, He must wait until all creation is subordinated to His rule.

His name shall be called Wonderful Counselor. Christ’s rule on earth is established through His righteous counsel and values system. The word “wonderful” depicts divine counsel as coming from above and His truths as the antidote of human suffering.

His name shall be called Mighty God. Christ’s rule is established by the infinite power of the Most High God. God has entrusted to His Son the full authority of God to rule creation.

His name shall be called Everlasting Father. The nature of Christ’s rule over humanity is that of a loving Father as opposed to an authoritarian king. A king has little regard for his subjects, whereas a father gives his life for his children’s well being.

His name shall be called Prince of Peace. Christ’s rule is not self-serving, for He purposed only to restore peace and prosperity to His people. The word “peace” or “shalom” in Hebrew denotes prosperity and abundant life. The restoration of power to Himself is not the goal here, but the return of peace to His people.

Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end

The Kingdom under the rule of Christ will continue forever. When the time comes, there will be no wars, oppression, or sorrow, but peace, prosperity and eternal life will endure forever. Christ’s rule on earth is gaining a foothold through believers who are fully devoted to Him. However, the full manifestation of Christ’s kingdom will only appear at His second coming.

The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this

God has determined that His Kingdom will manifest at the appointed time. No created thing or power will be able to hinder the progress of God plans for His people.

Truth

Christ’s rule is manifested on the earth through the sons of God. It is God’s desire to rule the earth together with His sons. Psalm 8:6 say, “You have given man dominion over the works of your hands; you have put all things under his feet.” The Spirit of sonship is given to believers to restore to them the authority to establish Christ’s rule in families, organizations and nations. As believers yield themselves to the rule of God, His kingdom begins to manifest first within them, then through their environment. Luke 17:21 say, “For indeed, the kingdom of God is within you.”

As the sons of God rule with Christ, they will also carry the four characteristics of His rule. Today, Christ imparts His wise counsel and values system to the world through His sons; they will discharge their daily responsibilities and lead their families and communities with righteousness and wisdom. God’s sons will be lifted to positions of influence and authority so that they could uphold justice and law in the community. The sons of God will not rule in an authoritarian manner but in grace and truth. In so doing, the sons of God will begin to establish enduring peace and prosperity back to the families, communities and nations.

As longs as the community is founded on Christ’s counsel, Christ’s power, and Christ’s love, there will be enduring peace and prosperity. If God’s people allow the values system of the world to infiltrate into our teachings and life goals, our prosperity will be short-lived. If God’s people were to depend on their own capabilities and power rather than God’s, our peace will come to an end. If leaders do not rule with love by putting the interests of the people above their own, we will very soon be destroyed.

Application

1. Whenever problems surface in your family or workplace, is your first response to fix the symptoms of the problem or do you seek out the root cause of it? If the attributes of Christ’s rule are not in it, the problems will keep recurring.
2. Make it a daily endeavor to facilitate God’s rule in your family and organization by asking the question: What kind of person do you want me to be today? And what are the tasks do you want accomplished?

Dear Lord, I seek to facilitate your righteous rule in my family and workplace. Fill me with your Spirit so that I may help establish your values system, your love and faith through my area of influence. Restore to my family and organization enduring peace and prosperity. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.