Isaiah 9: 6

1. Have you ever wondered why your parents gave you the name they did? Were you named after an ancestor? Famous personality? Family tradition? Or do you carry one of the cute contemporary names fashionably spelled as no one else you've ever heard of? One subtle clue in genealogical research, which is most often overlooked is names or naming patterns of families.

With few exceptions there were four ways surnames or permanent family names were adopted. They were:

1. Patronymics - The fathers name with "son" immediately after it. i. e. Peterson, Adamson, Woodson

2. Place Names - Words that identify where a person or family lived or came from. i. e. Hill, Lake, Wood, Glades, March

3. Occupational names - What a person did for a living. i. e. Miller, Butcher, Baker, Tailor, Butler

4. Nicknames - Usually based on a persons personality or characteristics. i. e. Short, Long, Savage, White, Brown.

3. For centuries female children were considered the property of their father and carried his last name until they married, at which time became the property of their husbands and adopted the last name of their husband.

4. For several hundred years the most popular names given to newborns were those of biblical persons or saints. Some religious faiths today still require a saints name at baptism and confirmation. In the 1600's the Puritans began giving their offspring names which reflected their purity, morals and doctrine.

5. In the 16th and 17th century the people began giving their children not only a first or christian name and surname, but also a middle name as well. In America male children were often given the maiden name of the mother as a middle name, thus honoring and preserving the mothers family name

6. If there is any name that deserves our careful examination it is the name of God Himself. It has been estimated that there are over 3000 names of God revealed in Scripture. And, while we are familiar with the general names, such as, God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit, we elude a wonderful blessing by not familiarizing ourselves with the ways that God reveals Himself through His various names.

7. Perhaps some of the greatest names of God are found in Isaiah 9: 6. The prophet looks some 740 years into the future, to see the coming of the Messiah. He envisions His coming in a Cradle, to a Cross, and to a Crown and gives Him several lovely names. The first of those names is the name of ‘Wonderful, Counselor.’ And, I call your attention to 3 truths found in this lovely name!

1. The name “Wonderful Counselor” is actually one Hebrew word, and denotes one name within itself. A “wonder” was used to be indicative of a miracle. It spoke of something marvelous, mysterious, and miraculous.

2. A “counselor” was used, in those days, to refer to a King. {C. p. Micah 4: 9}

A. The Source of His Authority!

1. Notice verses 2-3. These verses depict One who has authority.

2. It reminds us that God’s source of authority is Himself. He looks to none else. He leans on none else. He turns to none else. And, He trusts in none else. He is the source of His authority.

3. In the secular world, particularly the job force, one works under the domain of a boss, or an authority figure. They report to them, they are accountable to them, and they are overseen by them. However, God doesn’t have a boss. He is totally self-employed. He reports to Himself, by Himself, and for Himself.

4. In the realms of governments, countries, nations, and worlds, are under the headship of a King, a Dictator, a Prime Minister, a Cabinet, or a President. They are under their control. The government leads, and the people follow. However, God is the King. He is His own Ruler. He is His own President. And, the only Cabinet in Heaven is the Father, Son and Holy Ghost. He is the source of His own authority.

B. The Force of His Authority!

1. Notice verse 6 & 7. We’re told that when He comes that,

2. When we think of someone who is in power, we think of someone who is able to execute power. We think of someone who is able to get things done. We think of someone who has force behind their authority.

3. God is such a One. He is able. He executes power. He has force behind what He is, what He says, and what He does.

4. By Him all things are created. By Him all things are consisted. And, by Him all things are controlled. He has the whole world in His hands, because He has the authority to do so.

1. The name, which Isaiah uses to describe Him, not only speaks of His authority, but His ability. As a wonderful counselor, He has the ability to administer the government that is placed upon His shoulders. When I think of His ability as a Wonderful Counselor, I think of:

A. His Ability to Attract People!

1. When the gospel is preached, and the Word of God is presented, people are attracted. It has nothing to do with the dynamics, the delivery, or the disposition of the preacher; but, it has do with the fact that He has the ability to attract people unto Himself.

2. Jesus said in John 12: 32,

3. Theologians sought His wisdom. Sin-sick souls came to Him for counsel. Loved ones of the dead came to Him for help. Even His enemies were impressed with His ability to help the helpless.

4. While I may be able to knock on the door of a man’s heart, only He can open the door of a man’s heart. Only He has the unique ability to draw men and women unto Himself. He is the magnetic force of God. He is able to attract people. However, I call your attention also to the fact of:

B. His Ability To Answer Problems!

1. Our text indicates, and states that when He comes, that,

2. While the context of the reference is national, it is also personal. While the prophet is speaking of public life, he is also including private life. That is, as the Wonderful Counselor, He is not able to handle the government of this world, but the government of our lives as well.

3. Our lives are filled with problems. Our lives are filled with predicaments. Our lives are filled with perils. And, our lives are filled with persecutions. And, many people will write Dear Abby, read self-help books, go to non-Christian psychiatrists and talk to everyone they know except the only One who is able to help them, and handle their problems. We can place the government of our lives upon His shoulders.

5. Thanks be to God, Jesus has never lost one off of His shoulders. Once you are on His shoulders, you are on your way home. He is able to handle the load, and carry the burden. He is able to answer the problems of our lives.

1. There is another interesting connotation to the term “Wonderful Counselor.” The word ‘Counselor’ was a word used in the ancient Roman world to refer to a barrister. It literally described someone who would argue a case in a court of law. The term reminds us of His wonderful activity as our Wonderful Counselor. It reminds us that:

A. In Christ We Have a Mediator!

1. {C. p. 1 Timothy 2: 5}

2. When I think of that verse, I envision in my mind, the Lord Jesus seated at the right hand of the Father. However, whenever I am facing a trial, a temptation, or a trouble, He steps out of His holy seat, and stands before God. He is standing as a mediator between God and I. He is going before God on my behalf.

3. He is praying for me. He is holding me up to the Father. He stands in the gap and is making up the hedge between God and I. However, in Christ we not only have a mediator, but:

B. In Christ We Have an Arbitrator!

2. {C. p. 1 John 2: 1}

3. The word “advocate” literally means “lawyer, or legal representative.” It literally describes an arbitrator. However, while an earthly arbitrator must be impartial, our Heavenly arbitrator is very partial. He is on our side. And, He takes our case, He represents us, and goes before the judge(God the Father).

5. Friend, as a child of God, you and I have a much greater representation than F. Lee Bailey, or any other famous criminal defense attorney.

5. For, when we stumble, when we sin; when we fall, or when we fail; we have an advocate; an arbitrator with the Father. His name is Jesus. He is the Wonderful Counselor. When we need help, we need not look any further than He. For, His lovely names gives us contentment.