Isaiah 9:6
For to us a child is born,
to us a son is given,
and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. (NIV)
Today’s Reading: Isaiah 9:1-7
We continue looking at the list of names that Isaiah assigns to the future Messiah. Again, these aren’t literal names for Jesus, they are more like titles or aspects of his character. They give insight into who Jesus is and what he is going to do.
“And he will be called … Everlasting Father.”
Each day we have studied this verse, I have made it a point to mention that these aren’t literal names for Jesus. Everlasting Father is the main reason these are not literal names. Jesus is not God the Father. He does not play the role of the Father in the Trinity. The idea in the Hebrew meaning is that Jesus is the author of everything in time and space for all eternity. Or said another way, Jesus is the “Father of Eternity.”
Jesus minced no words in equating himself with God the Father:
- “I and the Father are one” (John 10:30).
- “Even though you do not believe me, believe the works, that you may know and understand that the Father is in me, and I in the Father” (John 10:38).
- “If you really know me, you will know my Father as well” (John 14:6).
- “Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father” (John 14:9).
In ancient times, the “father of the nation” was viewed similar to the father of a family. The father’s role was to protect and provide for his family. Jesus plays the same role for God’s children. He would serve as our protector and provider. And being the Everlasting Father, Jesus would protect and provide for all eternity. Jesus clearly embraced this role speaking about God’s people:
“My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me” (John 10:27-29).
The Hebrew word for “everlasting” is ʽad which is defined as “without limit: forever, eternal, for ever and ever; continual, always.” Looking ahead in Isaiah, the next verse emphasizes this point: “Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end.” The emphasis on this trait of Jesus is forward looking. Although he had no beginning, this title focuses on the fact that forever into the future, Jesus will protect and provide for his people.
As followers of Jesus, we are adopted into God’s family and become a child of God. We also fall under the provision and protection of Jesus. We are his and he is ours for all of eternity. Nothing in all of creation will be able to separate us from his love. Paul said it best:
“For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Rom 8:38-39).
Christ in the Old Testament 
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