“And His name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The Mighty God, The Everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace…” Isaiah 9:6
Dear Ones:
A person is often known by his name, and what that name means. All through the Old Testament, but also revealed in the New Testament, the Lord reveals something of HIs character, His nature, and also His ways, by His name. That name gives to the believer a window of revelation into the eternal, that which is holy and Divine. Though we see through a glass darkly, yet we can, by the Spirit of God, according to the truth of the Word of God, behold the glory of the Lord. It is in the knowledge of the God that we see, that we are changed, “…from glory to glory.” Let us be more specific with regard to what we are looking at, by considering the word “Wonderful.” What do we learn of God by looking unto Him with this name? How does the Wondrous God work in us something of His wonder?
In the book of Genesis, we find Jacob wrestling with a “man,” who would not tell Jacob his name. However, we find that this man had the authority and power to change a life. The declaration of this radical change was expressed by the “man” when he told Jacob, “…Thy name shall be called no more Jacob, but Israel: for as a prince has thou power with God and with men, and hast prevailed.” (Gen. 32:28) The man Jacob became a nation that day, because of the covenant of God with Abraham, passed down to Isaac. The new name would reflect an enlarged vision of God, and the working of God, not only on this man Israel, but upon a nation and the world. However, the changing of names, reflecting a change of perspective and purpose, is not characteristic of the names of God. The eternal nature of God is unchangeable, for time and eternity. The God who would reveal Himself to Abraham as Jehovah-jireh, (Lit. The Lord will provide…), is the same today, and communicates Himself to men in that capacity. He is, as the Apostle Paul wrote, “But my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” (Phil. 4:19) There are many names for God in the Bible, and everyone of them communicates an eternal, unchanging aspect of His character, and the way He deals with men. So then, what about the “Wonder” of God, or this God who is called Wonderful.
The context of the description of God as Wonderful, is found to be in mentioning the “child” to be born, and the Son to be given…the one upon whose shoulders the government of His kingdom will rest. It is in the whole history, and revelation of the coming of the Messiah, the Savior of the world, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world, that the wonder of God, in His love, is revealed. Paul writes concerning the anticipated knowledge of this love of God, using words describing dimensions. He writes, “…(that ye)…may be able to comprehend with all saints, what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height, and to know the love of Christ, which passes knowledge.” (Eph. 3:18,19) The wonder of God begins with the limitless dimensions of His love, as revealed in Christ. This love, and Wonder of God, though it “passeth knowledge,” can be known by the believer, experienced, lived, and fulfilled increasingly until the perfect day. The great prayer of Paul concerning this revelation, and experience of it, has its foundation in the fact of the wonder of God’s certain love, a love that transcends all circumstance and concepts of men. And what is the limit of this knowledge of the love of God, according to his prayer? He prays, not only that they might be filled with all the fulness of God, but that God is able to do, “…exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think.” (v.20) Herein is the wonder of God revealed, that the Mighty Creator and Redeemer should love us, even me.
Dear Father, May Thy wonder fill us this day. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Love, Dad