Day 17: The Prince
“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 Counsellor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”
Isaiah 9:6
Scores of ‘Old Wives Tales’ have surrounded the predictions of baby gender. Some include, expecting a boy is said to give expectant mothers drier skin, a girl brings out the oil. Salty food cravings are linked to boys and sweets mean girls. Extreme headaches while pregnant are said to mean a baby boy. No real headaches? Girl. Naturally falling asleep on the left side means carrying a boy, the right side, a female. Lastly, any childbearing mum’s nails growing faster, thicker and stronger? You may have a boy. If they are breaking easier than normal, think pink. Considering the 50/50 odds of a correct prediction, peculiar ‘Old Wives Tales’ potentially not as accurate as once thought.
Around 3000 years ago, a divinely inspired prophet made these predictions about a child:
“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 Counsellor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”
Isaiah 9:6
Isaiah prophesy came at a time when the land of Judah was spiritually impoverished. Led astray by the God-dishonouring, King Ahaz, it was a time of spiritual confusion. A time of doom and gloom. God’s people turned to mediums and spiritualists. Seeking answers from the dead. Heaviness and misery filled the air. Liken to a night without morning. A cold bleak evening without the break of dawn. Judah, saturated in spiritual and political unrest, sees no way out of its anguish.
This region of despair resulting from persistent rebellion and unbelief. A people so loved by God, now spitting in His face. Judgement not too far away for unrepentant disobedience.
Who will save them from their destruction?
Surprisingly, a child.
Light bursts through this darkness as a Deliverer is promised. A Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Combining the four titles, gives an insight into the Child’s royal power. A King opposite to Ahaz, He wisely counsels Himself and mankind. His divinity equal to Yahweh. An Eternal Father and King who provides and protects His people. Bridging peace between man and God.
Judah’s spiritual heaviness and woe continue to be evident in society today. The dead are consulted for answers. Darkness and gloom weighs heavy on the lonely and rejected. Erroneous websites are explored for hope and pleasure. Religious confusion is stark. Lost souls impoverished without an iota of knowledge of a Deliverer. Day after day of bleakness without a crack of light. Aimlessly existing in persistent rebellion and unbelief.
Despite societies misery, light will once again burst through the darkness as we celebrate the birth of this royal Child. The eternal King who has reigned since time began. Entering humanity as a child. Bringing hope to the hopeless. Good news for the poor. Healing the broken-hearted. Proclaiming liberty to the captives. Breaking the chains of sin and death.
“The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwell in a land of deep darkness, on them has light shone.”
Isaiah 9:2
That’s our King.
What a joy!
Written by Paul McLoughlan
A Thought to Remember: Christ came to bring light into our darkness.
A Bit More to Read: Isaiah 9:1-7; Rev 19:11-16
A Question to Ask: In what areas of our lives do we need to bring into the light of Christ the King?
A Song to Sing: Crown Him with Many Crowns
A Picture for the kids: Crown