For to us a child is born.
Isaiah's prophecy of the Messiah — 700 years before Jesus.
The episode in a glance.
- 01A child will be born — a real human birth.
- 02Four names describe his identity.
- 03Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
- 04The government will be on his shoulders.
Read along.
Isaiah 9:6: '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.'
Isaiah is writing 700 years before Jesus. He's describing a child not yet born, with names too big for any ordinary king.
'Wonderful Counselor' — his wisdom is beyond comparison. 'Mighty God' — he is fully God, not just a representative.
'Everlasting Father' — a fatherly heart toward his people, forever. 'Prince of Peace' — he brings the peace that the world can't manufacture.
'The government shall be upon his shoulder.' This child will run the kingdom. And the rest of Isaiah 9 says: of the increase of his government there will be no end.