Good Morning Yamon Ki Yesepar;
Isaiah 9:6: “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, Counselor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.
A child is born and a son is given. This is a Hebraic expression of humanity and divinity. Birth signifies humanity and “ben nathan lanu” (a son is given to us) shows his divinity. The word for given is “nathan” which is spelled “nun, taw, nun.” Backward or forward it is spelled the same. The final nun is an open nun. This expresses that giving is circular. When you give it comes back to you to give out again. A circle also expresses eternity. Thus the son is given is a Hebraic way of saying this son existed before you and I and will continue to exist, hence he will be God.
I have often heard it said that the expression, “The government shall be upon His shoulder” expresses the time King Herod sought to take His life. Yet, this is a Hebrew idiom which simply means “He is going to rule.” All governments rest upon His shoulder, yes, even the Obama administration is resting upon His shoulder. He is in control of world affairs, he is guiding the governments to His own conclusion.
“His name shall be called…” Shem (name) means a reputation more than a legal identification. In ancient times names often changed as a persons reputation changed. Some could be called by many names. For instance if I meet a friend at church I would call that person by their birth name. If we study the Word of God together I would call that person by a name that expresses their insight into God’s Word: “Shavasha, what do you think this passage is saying?” Or if I seek a believer who I know is joyful and call that person to cheer me up I may say: “Good afternoon Bi’simchah.”
We always pray “Dear God” or “Dear Lord.” Ever try to open your prayer with “Dear Wonderful,” or try it in the Hebrew, “Dear Pele.’” You would be addressing Jesus as “Dear Miracle Worker.” Literally “pele” has the idea of the healing heart of God.
You may wish to address Him as “Dear Counselor” or “Dear Yo’es.” Here you would be addressing Jesus as “Dear Advisor” or “Dear Purpose Giver.” In its primitive form “yo’es” has the idea of submitting or humbling yourself to the will of God. If you pray “Dear Yo’es” you are praying: “To the one that I am humbling submitting my will for Your purpose.” Jesus set the example by submitting to the will of the Father in going to the cross.
How about praying “Dear Mighty God,” or “Dear “El Givor.” El is the word for God, givor is a military word, representing a mighty warrior, a hero in battle. A “givor” is one who lays down his life defending his country. To address Jesus as “El Givor” you are saying: “My hero who laid down his life for me.”
Do you ever pray “Dear Everlasting Father,” or “Dear “ ‘Av ‘Ad.” We all know what God as a Father means. “Ad” or “everlasting” means “again and again and again.” “Dear Father who helps, forgives, delivers etc. again and again and again. The One who is always faithful, always there to pull me out of the mud.”
Finally how about “Dear Prince of Peace” or “Dear Sar Shalom.” Translators loosely translate “sar” as “prince” to kept the motif going, but this word actually means navel. I mean we don’t want to call God our “navel of peace.” Yet, consider that the navel is where the cord from the mother was attached to feed the unborn child. Hence, the word prince, to express the blood line to the throne.” The “navel of peace” expresses that Jesus is the source of all peace (shalom.). “My peace I give unto you, not that the world gives.” John 14:27. The Hebrew word “shalom” has shades of meaning that the English word “peace” does not have. Shalom means safety, security, and good health. When we pray “Dear Sar Shalom” we are praying: “Dear source of all safety, security and good health.”
I know many of you like to pray or meditate on the many names of God. Well, here are a few more names to add to your list. These are specific to the One we celebrate at this time of year.
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