Part 2 Today we continue our five part series on the titles given to Jesus in Isaiah 9:6, looking at the second one, which is Counselor. Some see counselor being one title with wonderful (wonderful counselor), and the Arabic version does render it as such (with the Septuagint and Targum seeming to lean that direction). […]
In Isaiah 9:6 we are given five titles describing the character of Jesus. Before we look at these characteristics we ask to whom would He be manifest in these roles? Isaiah said it is “unto us a child is born, unto us a Son is given”. Unto who, the Jewish race? Yes, because it was […]
God’s children are likened to a flock of sheep throughout scripture, and the prophet Ezekiel speaks of them as such. In 34:26 he says, “… I will cause showers to come down in their season; there shall be showers of blessing.” This passage is eschatological with fulfillment in three stages, beginning now with the “church […]
An old song says, “Give me the roses while I live, trying to cheer me on; useless the flowers that you give after the soul is gone.” As we walk the “road of life” we are given the opportunity to be as a sweet perfume emanating the fragrance of Christ, and like the flowers that […]
Isaiah 40 transitions from the declarations of judgment against Israel, Judah, and pagan Nations (brought on by sin and disobedience) in the first 39 chapters, to the return of Judah and Israel from captivity, speaking words of comfort and peace, the ultimate of which would be experienced under the reign of Messiah, with the rest […]
The purpose of a vine, particularly a grape vine, is to bear fruit; but in order to bear fruit, the branch must stay connected to the vine, as we see in John 15:3, where Jesus uses a vine and its branches to illustrate Himself and our relationship with Him. Now, the question is, how do […]
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.” (Proverbs 3:5-6). The tendency of our human nature is to figure it out ourselves; but, like a traveler who does not follow the map, we end up at […]
“How shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach unless they are sent? As it is written: How beautiful are the feet of those who preach […]
Psalm 119 is largely about the word of God, and its author utilizes several related terms such as law, commandments, precepts, statutes, and judgments, which are employed well over 125 times in this one Psalm alone (in the King James Version)! Anyone who speaks of a topic so frequently is obviously, deeply ingrained in it, […]
As Israel entered the Promised Land, they faced the walled city of Jericho, which looked to be impossible to penetrate and conquer. At God’s command, they marched around it every day for a week; perhaps we can view this action as claiming it for their territory, even while the fearful and seeming impossible feat of […]