Lighthouse Bible Studies

Peace. It’s something we all need, something we all crave.

As I close this series on Isaiah 9:6, there’s one more name to consider. This verse identifies the nature of the Messiah, whose birth we celebrate every Christmas. We have talked about Jesus being Wonderful, our Counselor, the Mighty God, and the Everlasting Father. It’s fitting that this series of names ends with Prince of Peace. ...

When I read Isaiah 9:6, I pause the longest at this name—Everlasting Father. It’s been a treasure to me for a long time, although I think it’s odd to call Jesus a Father. I have always thought it referred to Jesus’ loving nature, but the word father in Hebrew gives this name a new meaning.

“Everlasting Father” literally means “the father of eternity.”¹ It was a Hebrew and Arabic custom to call “he who possesses a thing … the father of it.”² For Jesus to be the father of eternity means that He is eternal. He possesses eternity, and there is never a time when we have to doubt if He’ll be there. He is forever, with no beginning and no end. This name means that His rule as King won’t be short-lived like so many kings of this earth. His rule will be eternal, constant, and sure, because He is. ...

Wonderful. Counselor. Mighty God. Everlasting Father. Prince of Peace.

In the middle of the description about Jesus—the Child who was promised and the Messiah who was to come—power is mentioned. Long before He came to earth, Jesus had been the Mighty God.

Present with the Father and the Spirit before the universe existed, He—with Them—spoke creation into being. As Mighty God, He took part in creating galaxies and constellations, mountains and trees, animals and people. Since history began, all things have been sustained by Him. “And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist” (Col 1:17, NKJV). Mighty God.

Hope, wisdom, guidance—these are the gifts a counselor brings. Hope that God will do amazing things, wisdom for difficult situations, and guidance for navigating life’s paths. Jesus is our Counselor.

This month, we are looking at the names for Jesus found in Isaiah 9:6. The names are beautiful and packed with meaning and relevance for life today—Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and Prince of Peace. I understand why Wonderful is there and why the verse speaks of Jesus’ might, fatherly nature, and peace. But Counselor? The name seems fitting for the Holy Spirit who is our Helper (John 14:26). How often do you think of Jesus as a Counselor? ...

For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given;
And the government will be upon His shoulder.
And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor,
Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Isaiah 9:6, NKJV

Wonderful. The word captures the essence of Jesus’ nature. He is wonderful. He loves us with a pure, perfect love. His strength has no match, and His wisdom has no limits.

Wonderful. ...

I’m waiting for it to bloom. My dad surprised me by planting a hydrangea bush in the flower beds. What’s the color of the future buds? Blue, my favorite.

Right now it’s just a stubby little stick. But it’s taller than it was a month ago. If you didn’t know it was there, you would probably step on it if you were weeding the beds. Little but stout.

Some hopes of mine are little and stubby, but I trust God that they will bloom. ...

This is a Five Minute Friday post. Today’s word: release.

Six excerpts in six weeks. Every week I’ve posted an excerpt from my Bible study, 2 Timothy: Winning the Victory, about how to win the spiritual battles of life and ministry. You can find these excerpts on my blog by looking for the picture above, or by clicking on the links below.

Is victory possible? Does God show us how to win our everyday battles with temptation, fear, selfishness, spiritual harassment, and opposition to the gospel? What “battle plan” does He lay out for dealing with life’s obstacles and hindrances? ...