Our Wonderful Counselor

7 APRIL

For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon His shoulder: and His name shall be called Wonderful Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:6

SUGGESTED FURTHER READING: Luke 24:13-35

The titles Isaiah uses for Christ are not foreign to its subject but are adapted to the case in hand, for the prophet describes what Christ will become to believers. Rather than speaking of Christ’s mysterious essence, Isaiah applauds His excellent attributes, which we perceive and experience by faith. This ought to be most carefully considered, because so many people are satisfied wit the mere name of Christ and do not see His power and energy, which ought to be chiefly regarded.

By the title Wonderful, Isaiah rouses the minds of the godly to earnest attention that they may expect from Christ something more excellent than what is seen in the ordinary course of God’s works. It is as if the prophet says that in Christ are hidden the invaluable treasures of wonderful things (Col. 2:3). Indeed, the redemption that Christ brings surpasses even the creation of the world. The grace of God that will be exhibited in Christ exceeds all miracles.

Next, Isaiah uses the term Counsellor to show that the Redeemer will come endowed with absolute wisdom. The prophet does not reason here about the hidden essence of Christ but about the power that Christ displays toward us. It is not because Christ Jesus knows all His Father’s secrets that the prophet calls Him Counselor, but rather that He proceeds from the bosom of the Father (John 1:18) and is therefore in every respect the highest and most perfect teacher.

Likewise, we are not permitted to get wisdom from any source but from the gospel. Regarding Christ as Counselor contributes to the praise of the gospel, for our Counselor contains the perfect wisdom of God, as Paul frequently shows (1 Cor. 1:24, 30; Eph. 1:17; Col. 1:9).

John Calvin

FOR MEDITATION:

In what way is Christ Wonderful and Counselor to us in our limited, sin-filled understanding? How can He lift us above our sinful condition in His glory?

365 Days With Calvin

Selected and Edited by Joel R. Beeke