The great Messianic prophet Isaiah gives us so many beautiful pictures of Jesus Christ. The prophet himself had to stand in wonder at the things which he wrote, not even fully understanding them himself (cf. 1 Pet. 1:10- 12). There were some days of despair and gloom in front of Judah, as not only was Assyria going to capture the northern kingdom, but they would test the southern kingdom, as well. But, beyond these dark days there was coming a glorious day, when the long-awaited Messiah would come! He was going to be “given” by God “unto us,” and He was going to reign as King over God’s kingdom, bearing all authority “upon His shoulder” (9:6).
In this context of great hope in Isaiah 9, the inspired prophet presents Jesus in four unique ways in verse 6. Some translations place a comma between the words “Wonderful” and “Counselor,” but it seems best to follow those translations that omit the comma. The last three titles for Jesus in this verse are compound forms (Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace), so it makes since for the first title to match and to also be a compound form (Wonderful Counselor). What can we learn from this title?
First, it could easily be stated that everything about Jesus is “Wonderful”! We sing about Jesus being a “Wonderful Savior.” Can you think of a “Friend” more “Wonderful” than Jesus? In this passage, He’s the “Wonderful Counselor”!
Literally, Jesus is “a wonder of a counselor.” Man—in his finite, sinful and helpless ways—is in desperate need of wisdom. It is laughable to think that man could “become [God’s] counselor” (Rom. 11:34), and instruct and teach God (Isa. 40:13-14). Compared to the wisdom and counsel of God, “What is man?” (Psa. 144:3).
As our “Wonderful Counselor,” who we so desperately need, Christ possesses “all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge” (Col. 2:3), and “both the wisdom and knowledge of God” are deep and “unsearchable” (Rom. 11:33). Seeing that it “is not in man who walks to direct his own steps” (Jer. 10:23), the Lord will “direct my steps by [His] word” (Psa. 119:133; cf. Prov. 3:5-6), for He “has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness” (2 Pet. 1:3).
As our “Wonderful Counselor,” He will “not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one” (Matt. 6:13), for He will always “make the way of escape” (1 Cor. 10:13). When we pray, our “Wonderful Counselor,” “make[s] intercession” for us before the throne of God (Heb. 7:25; 1 John 2:1).
Our Lord “is wonderful in counsel and excellent in guidance” (Isa. 28:29), when we trust Him and dig into His Word! How wonderfully blessed are we to have His counsel!
-David Sproule
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