The coming of Jesus Christ is one of the most unique times in history. With our Lord’s arrival promise hands off the baton to fulfillment. Like athletes running the 4X100, the Father hands off the baton to the incarnate Son. Years and years of God’s matchless promises, from Genesis to Malachi, are beginning to become a fulfilled reality in history—all in the person of Jesus.

The prophet Isaiah was given some of the clearest and unique promises among God’s servants. Isaiah 9 offers hope to the Israelites walking in darkness. A great light is promised (9:2) accompanied by joy (9:3). How will this be? How will joy come and the oppressor be cast off (9:4–5)? God declares through a baby (9:6)! God will deliver from oppression and bring an end to war through the gift of a baby boy who will shoulder what His people cannot! God, although “powerful enough to destroy his enemies in an instant,” promises a vulnerable male child.¹

But how can this child help us? It’s in his name. Names are more than titles. They speak to the character and ability of the person. Four significant names are given to this child to declare his ability to end oppression and usher in God’s deliverance and peace.

Wonderful Counselor

Wonder speaks of jaw dropping, out of this world actions. People put their hands on their head and with eyes wide open declare, “How is this possible?” This child will bear the name of wonderful counselor, indicating that His supernatural wisdom will accomplish plans beyond our ability to comprehend. Such supernatural wisdom to rule is part of God’s modus operandi (M.O.).

Isaiah says (25:1), “O LORD, you are my God;
I will exalt you; I will praise your name,
for you have done wonderful things,
plans formed of old, faithful and sure.

The following four verses (25:2–5) bear out God’s supernatural wisdom in wonders. He has made the foreigner’s city a heap of ruins, been a stronghold to the poor, a shelter from the storm, a shade from the heat, and subdued the song of the ruthless. And these wonders were not on a whim, but part of God’s eternal counsel, “plans formed of old, faithful and sure.”

The child of Isaiah 9:6 will bear the name of wonderful counselor—the name of God—and carry out the supernatural plans of God beyond our ability to comprehend. The great light of Isaiah 9:2 is fulfilled with the coming of Jesus in Matthew 4:12–17. The child was born, the son was given, and God’s great light ushered in the kingdom of God into dark spaces; in a way and through a life that declared God’s awesome counsel.

As we celebrate the birth of Jesus, we celebrate the birth of God’s wonderful counselor, who brings God’s perfect counsel and plan for humanity. The baby born in a manger came into this world with nothing material—no clothes, no pacifier; not even teeth. But He did come in with the name wonderful counselor, which means He has brought with Him the supernatural wisdom to help usher in the kingdom of God. And He still bears that name today! He is still the wonderful counselor for all our needs—both salvific and daily. Let us trust in God’s gracious gift of a wonderful counselor to bring us to God and to help us in our time of need.