Isa 9:6-7 | TNotes | STEP | 9:6 a child is born to us, a son is given to us: This child, the Messiah, would be David’s descendant (11:1 ). • he will be called: These names can be read as four throne names, signifying the nature of the child’s rule: (1) The Wonderful Counselor conforms to God’s wisdom (11:1 ; 25:1 ; 28:29 ; 40:13 ), unlike the counselors of Judah (1:26 ; 3:3 ). (2) Mighty God is an affirmation of the Messiah’s divine nature. (3) He cares for his children as the Everlasting Father, the father whose care continues forever (cp. 22:21 ; 63:16 ). (4) The Prince of Peace is a leader who brings peace. • Alternatively, the four names could be collapsed into two: (1) “A Wonderful Counselor [is] the Mighty God”; and (2) “the Everlasting Father [is] a Prince of Peace” (on his nature, see 11:1-9 ). • Jesus Christ, the Son of David (Matt 1:1 ; Luke 1:32 ; see also Isa 7:14 ; 8:3 , 18 ), will bring in the kingdom of his peace (Rev 19 ).

9:6 ^a a child is born to us, a son is given to us: This child, the Messiah, would be David’s descendant (11:1 ^b).

• he will be called: These names can be read as four throne names, signifying the nature of the child’s rule: (1) The Wonderful Counselor conforms to God’s wisdom (11:1 ^c; 25:1 ^d; 28:29 ^e; 40:13 ^f), unlike the counselors of Judah (1:26 ^g; 3:3 ^h). (2) Mighty God is an affirmation of the Messiah’s divine nature. (3) He cares for his children as the Everlasting Father, the father whose care continues forever (cp. 22:21 ⁱ; 63:16 ^j). (4) The Prince of Peace is a leader who brings peace.

• Alternatively, the four names could be collapsed into two: (1) “A Wonderful Counselor [is] the Mighty God”; and (2) “the Everlasting Father [is] a Prince of Peace” (on his nature, see 11:1-9 ^k).

• Jesus Christ, the Son of David (Matt 1:1 ^l; Luke 1:32 ^m; see also Isa 7:14 ⁿ; 8:3 ^o, 18 ^p), will bring in the kingdom of his peace (Rev 19 ^q).
9:7 ^r Like Ahaz, this ruler will be a descendant of David. Unlike Ahaz and the rulers of Jerusalem (1:21-23 ^s), he would trust God and rule with justice and righteousness (11:1-3 ^t). Jesus the Messiah reigns for all eternity (Luke 1:32-33 ^u).