Family often marks the Christmas season. With family. Separated from family. Reminders of those no longer with us. Welcome gatherings. Harsh rejections. How are we supposed to navigate this season? What should we believe? What should we say? What should we not say? We need a counselor. The band CAIN sings of this characteristic of Jesus in their song “Wonderful.”
We’ll discover the first time the name Wonderful Counselor is prophesied and its fulfillment in the child born in a manger.
In this episode, I discuss the following:
- Taking a B.I.T.E. out of Scripture – this week’s Bible Interaction Tool Exercises include:
- Historical context
- Consult an outside resource
- Follow the cross-references
- Consider the opposite
- Episode Guide Download
- Nine years of featuring Christmas songs in December on More Than a Song!
- Isaiah’s prophecy that shares the name Wonderful Counselor (among other names) for the coming Messiah – Isaiah 9:1-7
- Historical context of this Messianic prophecy in Isaian 9 – Jon Courson’s Application Commentary: Volume 2, Old Testament (Psalms – Malachi) – Amazon Paid Link
- Linking this prophecy to Christ as the fulfillment – Luke 1:78-79, Matthew 4:14-16
- Definitions of “wonderful” and “counselor” – GotQuestions.org Article
- The type of counsel we can expect from our Wonderful Counselor
- Isaiah 28:29
- Colossians 2:3
- Psalm 119:24
- Proverbs 2
- Considering the opposite of Wonderful Counselor by examining the type of counsel Job’s friends gave – Exalting Jesus in Job (Christ-Centered Exposition Commentary) – Amazon Paid Link
- Recognizing Jesus’ compassion as a key component of His counsel
- Considering our Wonderful Counselor’s techniques
- Probing questions – Mark 10:18
- Gentle confrontation – John 4:16-18
- Seeking agreement on the purpose or goal of the encounter – Mark 10:51, John 5:6
- Answering questions with questions to clarify the intent of the questioner – Luke 10:25-37
God is wonderful in counsel and excellent in wisdom. And this child to be born is God, so it’s no wonder that He’s our Wonderful Counselor.
Enjoy the official music video of the song below.
More Than a Song Playlist
Additional Resources
- Lyrics for “Wonderful” by CAIN – New Release Today
- Exalting Jesus in Job (Christ-Centered Exposition Commentary) – Amazon Paid Link
- “What does it mean that Jesus is our Wonderful Counselor (Isaiah 9:6)?” – GotQuestion.org Article
- Jon Courson’s Application Commentary: Volume 2, Old Testament (Psalms – Malachi) – Amazon Paid Link
- “Deity Distilled – His Name Shall Be” – Discover the Book Ministries Article
- My favorite Bible Study Software – Logos Bible Software Affiliate Link
This Week’s Challenge
Read the prophecy in Isaiah 9 and then read the birth account of Christ in Luke 1 and 2. Meditate on the name Wonderful Counselor. Consider the compassion of Christ. Seek the wisdom hidden in the robes of your Prince of Peace. Allow His words to be your counselors. Allow them to probe, confront, clarify, and guide you in paths of righteousness.
