Birth and Reign of the Prince of Peace
1But there will be no more gloom for her who was in anguish; in earlier times He treated the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali with contempt, but later on He shall make it glorious, by the way of the sea, on the other side of Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles.
2The people who walk in darkness
Will see a great light;
Those who live in a dark land,
The light will shine on them.3You shall multiply the nation,
You shall increase their gladness;
They will be glad in Your presence
As with the gladness of harvest,
As men rejoice when they divide the spoil.4For You shall break the yoke of their burden and the staff on their shoulders,
The rod of their oppressor, as at the battle of Midian.5For every boot of the booted warrior in the battle tumult,
And cloak rolled in blood, will be for burning, fuel for the fire.6For 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.7There will be no end to the increase of His government or of peace,
On the throne of David and over his kingdom,
To establish it and to uphold it with justice and righteousness
From then on and forevermore.
The zeal of the LORD of hosts will accomplish this. NIV
Matthew Henry’s writes an treasured commentary on these verses. I love his commentary. Regarding verse four Mr Henry writes, ” The Jews were delivered from the yoke of many oppressors; this was a shadow of the believer’s deliverance from the yoke of Satan.” Reading his exhortation on Christ.
This Child was born for the benefit of us men, of us sinners, of all believers, from the beginning to the end of the world. Justly is he called Wonderful, for he is both God and man. His love is the wonder of angels and glorified saints. He is the Counselor, for he knew the counsels of God from eternity; and he gives counsel to men, in which he consults our welfare. He is the Wonderful Counselor; none teaches like him. He is God, the mighty One. Such is the work of the Mediator, that no less power than that of the mighty God could bring it to pass. He is God, one with the Father. As the Prince of Peace, he reconciles us to God; he is the Giver of peace in the heart and conscience; and when his kingdom is fully established, men shall learn war no more. The government shall be upon him; he shall bear the burden of it.
Focusing on Jesus as the reason for the season, Isaiah 7: 14 declares, “Therefore the Lord himself will give youc a sign: The virgind will conceive and give birth to a son, ande will call him Immanuel.”
What are the names of Christ in verse six? Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, and Prince of Peace.
Today was my day off and so to do something nice for someone was a little harder. I gave money at the Salvation Army Kettle, I didn’t complain when a woman cut in from of me at department store does this count? Does praying for family and friends count?
Jesus is the reason for the season.
Be sure and read Luke 4
Beloved, how is preparing your heart for this holy season coming along?
