Advent: The Peaceful Sovereign

Advent Week 2, Day 3

Light two purple candles
Read Isaiah 9:6-7

"For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us;
And the government will rest on His shoulders;
And His name will be called Wonderful Counselor,
Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace.
Of the increase of His government and peace there will be no end.
He will reign on David’s throne and over His kingdom,
establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever.
The zeal of the LORD Almighty will accomplish this." (Isa. 9:6-7)

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Isaiah is often called the "Fifth Gospel" because of the sheer number of passages that refer directly to Jesus. Inside the prophecies of Isaiah, who prophesied in the 700s B.C., one can find the entire Gospel message, from the virgin birth of Jesus, to His suffering, death and resurrection, and then to His second coming and future kingdom. Here, in Isaiah 9, comes a prophecy about the royal role of the coming messiah. Prominent in these two verses are the themes of peace and righteousness. Jesus will reign on David's throne with peace and righteousness, just the way you would want a king to rule.

Think about it: who would want to live under a monarch who lives in a state of war? or who would want their monarch to take advantage of them, or let others take advantage? David was considered to be the greatest king in Israel's history (still is). Among his many attributes, he was a mighty warrior who ruled with righteousness. And he was considered to be a godly king, God's anointed. And in 2 Samuel 7, God promised to David that a descendant would reign on his throne forever. It was an unconditional promise -- a covenant that God was bound, by His own will, to uphold. Through the next few hundred years, the people awaited this next great king, a king of peace and of righteousness. Finally, God worked through Isaiah and Micah to let the people know that this mighty king like David is coming. But he is more than a king. Isaiah says He would be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God and Eternal Father. Micah says His origin would be from days of antiquity (or eternity, depending on the translation). No ordinary man could fit this description. Even more, He would be a prince of peace whose government and peace would never end. How ideal!

Jesus is the king of Israel. He has never relinquished His throne. And He will never abdicate nor stain the office. He is King of Israel and His kingdom continues to this day, though His throne is in heaven and not all of His subjects accept His kingship. But as Isaiah prophesied and others echoed, the throne of Jesus will come to earth one day and this peace, this eternal peace, will descend upon the earth with Him. He is the Prince of Peace. Come Lord Jesus!

Be God's.