For Unto Us A Child Is Born
“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” Isaiah 9:6 (NIV)
George Frideric Handel made the scripture above one of the most well-known verses in the Bible. Using the scripture, he composed music for the very popular oratorio, The Messiah. It is an ancient prophecy about the Incarnation, the birth of Jesus Christ, but what may be overlooked when this beautiful music is performed throughout the world is the triune nature of God. There is no comma between “Wonderful” and “Counsellor” in several modern translations. To name some of them, New International Version, Amplified Bible, Common English Bible, English Standard Version, The Message Bible, New American Standard Bible and New Living Translation. “Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God” is a reference to the Holy Spirit. We read in John 14:26, “But the Counsellor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you”. In Acts 5:3-4 it clearly shows the Holy Spirit to be God: “…you have lied to the Holy Spirit…You have not lied to men but to God”. “Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand…” (1 Peter 5:6). “Everlasting Father” is a reference to God the Father. God is a Father, we are his children. Reading in Hebrews 12:9, “Moreover, we have all had human fathers who disciplined us and we respected them for it. How much more should we submit to the Father of our spirits and live!” “Prince of Peace” is none other than Jesus, the Son. The prophecy in Isaiah predicted that not only will a child be born, but also that a son will be given. “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life”. (John 3:16). “God exalted him to his own right hand as Prince and Saviour that he might give repentance and forgiveness of sins to Israel”. (Acts 5:31). “For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form” (Colossians 2:9). So we see this ancient prophecy about the Incarnation shows the triune or Trinitarian nature of God, that he is Father, Son and Holy Spirit.