Examining the prophecy in Isaiah 9 indicates the nature of the Messiah's rule over His kingdom. The prophet of God, Isaiah, spoke of a time when a light would be seen by the Gentiles and good news proclaimed in the land of Zebulun, Naphtali, and Galilee of the Gentiles (Isaiah 9:1-2). The apostle Matthew, inspired by the Holy Spirit, deliberately connects the fulfillment of Isaiah 9:1-2 with the preaching by Jesus Christ concerning the kingdom of heaven:
(14) "This was to fulfill what was spoken through Isaiah the prophet:
(15) 'The land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, by the way of the sea,
beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles-
(16) the people who were sitting in darkness saw a great light, and those
who were sitting in the land and shadow of death, upon them a
light dawned.'
(17) From that time Jesus began to preach and say, 'Repent, for the kingdom
of heaven is at hand," (Matthew 4:14-17)
Where Isaiah reveals the nature of the kingdom and the kind of ruler the Messiah would be, Matthew shows the dawning of the rule of Christ. The kingdom of Jesus Christ would be established and ruled with peace, justice, and righteousness. God's rule would be established "from then on and forevermore" (Isaiah 9:7). Picturing the Messiah's rule over the kingdom, it would be an everlasting and eternal reign. No enemy of God would overthrow the Messiah's kingdom.
One of the most intriguing names attributed to Christ in the series of kingly assignments attributed to Him is the name "Eternal Father."
"For 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," (Isaiah 9:6).
Some mistakenly assume and assert from this text that Jesus and the Father are one and the same. The Bible clearly teaches three different and distinct personalities in the Godhead: the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. This passage does not teach that God is only one Person and the Father and the Son are just different manifestations of God. It does not teach that Jesus is His own Father. Anyone who suggests that misses the entire context of Isaiah's prophecy.
Isaiah reveals Christ, the Messiah and Anointed of God, assuming the throne and government. Any explanation of Jesus as the Eternal Father must be rooted in the context of the kingdom and government language and accolades that are assigned to Christ in this passage.
The term 'father' commonly refers to an ancestor or progenitor of a family. However, that is only one meaning of the term. The word 'father' might mean originator or founder. For example, in the United States, we refer to George Washington, John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Franklin, etc. as our "founding fathers." We recognize these men as the founders of the country and the architects behind our government. The Hebrew word 'father' can have a similar meaning: "founder, originator, i.e., one who causes something to begin (Genesis 4:20, 21; 1 Chronicles 2:24, 42), note: including profession, or cities;" (Dictionary of Biblical Languages with Semantic Domains: Hebrew).
Isaiah himself refers to those whom God has granted power, authority, and leadership as "fathers." In Isaiah 22:20-22, Eliakim is referred to as God's servant whom God will bestow authority and he would become a "father" to the people of Jerusalem and be given keys to the house of David. Therefore, it is right to conclude that a "father" may not only refer to an ancestor, but also to those whom God has given authority, rule, and power.
What does it mean that Jesus is the Eternal Father? The King of kings, Jesus Christ will rule over His kingdom and He will be the source of eternal life.
- He is the author of salvation (Hebrews 2:10).
- He is the source of eternal salvation to all who obey Him (Hebrews 5:9).
- He is the finisher, or perfecter, of faith (Hebrews 12:2).
Furthermore, all authority has been given to Him on heaven and earth (Matthew 28:18). God has exalted Jesus Christ to sit at His right hand and reign on the throne of David in heaven (Acts 2:30-33). Jesus has been given the throne of David and is the Eternal Father and source of eternal salvation for those who become part of His kingdom.
- Meditate On These Things, April 2017