Active Theology

“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 Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” (Isaiah 9:6, ESV)

As a father to three small children, I have constant responsibilities and expectations. I go to work to provide for my family financially, prepare meals, brush their teeth, wake up in the middle of the night to comfort and help them get back to sleep…the list could go on! As I write this, my son is not feeling well and laying on my lap half asleep. You never know what the day has in store with three little kids in your house. This is a multifaceted job (and one that I love), but my responsibilities as a parent boil down to providing and caring for my kids. 

When Isaiah prophesied about the coming messiah, he used the title Everlasting Father. This long awaited figure was to bring a new age of peace and blessing.

Like last week, I want to take a second to look at what the original audience would have thought when hearing this statement from Isaiah. 

Some people have used this passage to confuse their theology of the Trinity. Some get concerned that the Son is being called Father. Nailing down the theology of the Trinity wouldn’t have been on the minds of the original audience as they read Isaiah 9:6. So what is Isaiah saying? 

In ancient times, rulers were considered the “father of the country”. You might think of George Washington as he’s been called “the father of his country”. Being the founder or ruler of a country doesn’t give us the full picture though.

During Isaiah’s time, a “father of the nation” was viewed similarly to a father of a family. 

They were called to protect and provide and this would have been what people expected after hearing Isaiah’s messianic prophecy of the “Everlasting Father”. Christ was born to be the “father” to God’s children and to protect and provide for them. And his role as protector and provider will go on for eternity. 

Isaiah’s prophecy doesn’t give the details, but we know that Jesus came to protect and provide by ultimately giving his life as the perfect sacrifice for our sins. Through Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection we have eternal provision and protection. 

I strive to be the best father that I can, but I fall short. We have someone to run to that is always there and perfectly fulfilling his duties. Jesus is the perfect one to provide and protect us. 

“The title Eternal Father designates him, however, not only as the possessor of eternity, but as the tender, faithful, and wise trainer, guardian, and provider for his people even in eternity.” -Franz Delitzsch.

Prayer: God, we thank you for your Son, Jesus. We recognize that he came to provide peace, protection, guidance, and provision for us. We thank you for his life, death, and resurrection and how it affects my life now and into eternity. We praise you for your love and care for us each day. In Jesus’ name, amen. 

Song: “Thank You Jesus for the Blood” by Charity Gayle

Craig is a worship pastor at Wallula Christian Church and the creator of Active Theology. He loves coffee dates with his wife, reading, and riding his bike. A few of his favorite things are third wave coffee, vanilla ice cream, and plain t-shirts.