"A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches, loving favor rather than silver and gold" (Prov. 22:1). The greatest name in all of earth and heaven is Jesus, the Son of God. Scripture affirms that God "has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name" (Phil. 2:9).
The name of God's Son is marvelous in all its dimensions. Each designation is like a cut in a multi-faceted diamond that only further reveals its brilliance. We have been considering four such designations in Isaiah 9:6:
Wonderful Counselor
Mighty God
Everlasting Father
Prince of Peace
We have already examined the first two; now we want to turn our attention to the last two titles.
Everlasting Father: Literally, this reads "Father of eternity." This describes One who is Lord over the ages. Moses worshiped the LORD saying, "Before the mountains were born or You gave birth to the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting, You are God" (Psalm 90:2).
What's striking - and potentially confusing - about this designation is that it not only reminds us of God's eternality, but it also refers to the Son as the Father! Kind of reminds me of that song I'm My Own Grandpa (if you know the song, you'll get what I mean; if not, don't worry about it!). Yet Jesus the Messiah clarified the essence of this revelation in His own words when He said, "I am not of this world" (John 8:23), "I came in My Father's name" (John 5:43), and "I and the Father are one" (John 10:30). Jesus is the "brightness of [God's] glory and the express image of His person" (Heb. 1:3; cf. John 1:14). As Allen Ross points out in his commentary on this verse, "By taking this title, Everlasting Father, the Messiah is to be known as the One who is the sovereign Lord over the ever changing years--he produces and directs eternity."
Prince of Peace: This designation identifies the Messiah as One who blesses His people with peace. The Hebrew concept of peace (shalom) goes beyond the absence of conflict or war. It is a positive term that connotes the presence of security, prosperity, and well-being. Elsewhere Isaiah the seer envisions Messiah's kingdom as a realm in which the wolf lies down with the lamb, and a toddler plays next to a snake pit. How so? Because "the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the LORD as the waters cover the sea" (Isa. 11:6-9). Eventually Messiah will usher in a new heaven and a new earth; indeed, He makes "all things new" (Rev. 21:5)!
Though this ultimate state of peace is yet to come, even now God's people have a "peace that passes all comprehension" (Phil. 4:7) as we rejoice in our Savior and abide in His love.
Yet this peace did not come without a price. It was purchased for us by the Prince's own blood. It was because of the joy set before Him that Jesus endured the cross, disregarding its shame, and is now seated at the right hand of God. The Prince reigns! He is King of kings and Lord of lords! And the wonder of wonders is that He uses His exalted position to bless us with His peace!
It is ours through faith. Through faith we are at peace with God (Rom. 5:1) and experience the peace of God (Phil. 4:7). Thus we can sing,