Wonderful Counselor
Most scholars agree that we should take Isaiah 9:6 as giving us four names for the Messiah. Seeing “Wonderful Counselor” as one, not two, names fit with the pattern that follows. So, we have four names:
· Wonderful Counselor
· Mighty God
· Everlasting Father
· Prince of Peace
Today, let’s consider the first of these names…
“Wonderful” comes from a root word that is almost always used to describe things that only God can do. This work is beyond the work of human capability. It is a divine work. The Messiah has wisdom that can come from God alone.
The Messiah is a greater Solomon. Among all of the kings of Israel, the thing that characterized Solomon was wisdom. He is famously known for his ability to discern the truth of any matter. Even more so, he was able to properly and fairly decide a case and bring about a just end. As great as Solomon’s wisdom was, it was fallible and frail. In the end, he failed. He was great, but not great enough.
Jesus is greater than Solomon. His wisdom exceeds Solomon’s. As a supernatural counselor, he will bring justice and righteousness to us. No wonder, then, that when God spoke from heaven he said, “This is my Son, listen to Him.”
Even the best of our earthly counselors falls short. They, at their finest, are mostly just clever and not wise. Jesus is wise because Jesus is Wisdom.
