Who's the Baby?

For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given:

and the government shall be upon his shoulder:

and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor,

The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.

Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end,

upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it,

and to establish it with judgment and with justice
 from henceforth even for ever.

The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.

(Isaiah 9:6-7)

The prophet Isaiah wrote these words some 700 years before Jesus was born. The Baby in the manger was this Child. Let’s look at Who Jesus is and what this passage tells us about Him. 

• Unto us—Used two times in the beginning of the prophecy, it is significant that Jesus was a Jew. He was first given to the Jews.
• A child is born, a son is given—This is the simple pronouncement of the fact that a male baby would be born.
• The government—As God, Jesus will reign and does reign. And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end (Luke 1:33).
• Upon his shoulder—Shoulder or back. The idea here is exactly how it reads: this Baby would rule.
• The mighty God—I looked up both mighty and God. They mean what exactly what they say. This Baby would be the Powerful God. Lift up your eyes on high, and behold who hath created these things, that bringeth out their host by number: he calleth them all by names by the greatness of his might, for that he is strong in power; not one faileth (Isaiah 40:26). This Baby would be the One Who Created the world!
• The everlasting Father—Does it strike you as odd to think of a newborn as a father? This one isn’t just any father; He’s The Everlasting Father. He is God the Father, the One Who is eternal. He’s always been and He always will be. The Son is the same as the Father. That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me (John 17:21). I and my Father are one (John 10:30).
• The Prince of Peace—Jesus is described as the Prince of Peace (shalom). The angels said at Jesus’ birth, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men (Luke 2:14). Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid (John 14:27). These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world (John 16:33).
• Of the increase of his government and peace—The word increase here means abundance. Both His reign and peace will be abundant.
• There shall be no end—This is an eternal Person with an eternal reign. Only God. The LORD shall reign for ever, even thy God, O Zion, unto all generations. Praise ye the LORD (Psalm 146:10). And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever (Revelation 11:15).
• Upon the throne of David—The promised Messiah had to be from David’s family. Jesus met that requirement from both Mary and from his earthly father, Joseph. (Matthew 1: 1, 16-17, Luke 3:23, 32) It was important that Joseph be from the lineage of David, because the legal right of Jesus to David’s throne was through Joseph.
• And upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever—Jesus spoke often of His kingdom, “the kingdom of God.” (Matthew 6:33; 12:28; 19:24; 21:31; Mark 1:14-15; 4:11, 26, 30; 9:1, 47; 10:14-15, 23-25; 12:34; 15:43; Luke 4:43; 6:20; 8:1, 10; 9:2,11, 27, 60-62; 10:9, 11; 11:20; 12:31; 13:18-29; 14:15; 16:16; 17:20-21; 18:16-29; 19:11; 21:31; 22:16-18; John 3:3, 5) After Jesus’ resurrection and ascension, the Apostle Paul continued this teaching. The kingdom of God began with Jesus and has no end.
• The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this—Because of God’s wanting very much for Jesus the Messiah to be born, it absolutely would happen. This is a promise. It would happen. When the word LORD is in all capital letters, it is the Name of God: Jehovah. That’s the term used here. Jehovah is the ever-existing God. He’s the I AM of the Old Testament. Jesus said many times He was I Am, and the Jewish leaders recognized that He was saying He was Jehovah God. The hosts mentioned here are probably angels.

Seven hundred years before its fulfillment, Isaiah told the world about Jesus. Let’s celebrate His greatness this Christmas!