Devotions this week are based on Week 2 of “He Shall Be Called: Mighty God” (CLICK HERE)
“And he shall be called…Mighty God…” (Isaiah 9:6)
El Gibbor is the Hebrew for “Mighty God.” Gibbor is “warrior” or “Mighty One.” Clearly the perfect king of whom Isaiah is prophesying is God himself, who has the strength and power to fight the battles that would be presented to him.
As with any king, the question that naturally is asked, “What are you going to do with that power?” A king can use power for selfish purposes or for purposes that serve his people.
El Gibbor will use his power to do the following: (Isaiah 9:3)
Isaiah 9:3 You have enlarged the nation and increased their joy;
they rejoice before you as people rejoice at the harvest,
as warriors rejoice when dividing the plunder.
For the nation of Israel to contemplate enlarging the nation, would have stood in contrast to the impending captivity. Yet, when the nation seemed to be lost and the influence of the Lord waning, the Lord Jesus comes as Mighty God to use his power to expand the influence of the Gospel in the world. It brings joy to see the result of hard work. It brings joy to know you have Mighty God on your side.
Joy is different than happiness. Happiness is a positive emotion based on external circumstances. Winning a basketball game brings happiness. Getting a promotion at work brings happiness. Joy, however, is an inner condition of the heart. Joy is a positive condition of our heart that remains even if the external circumstances are not positive.
The three things listed here in verse 3 certainly bring a happiness because of an external positive reality, but also, they lead a heart to gain confidence in the Lord Jesus that he is and will be fighting for them to bring the return and the reward for his people.
He will enlarge the nation. The boundaries of israel were at its greatest under King David and Solomon. So he’s not talking about a physical nation with borders and citizens. The nation of Israel is often used as a picture of the Church, God’s people by faith in Jesus as their Savior.
Did Jesus enlarge the nation of Israel? Yes. By the power of his teaching and the proclamation of Gospel, many more believe today than did when Isaiah wrote these words.
Joy comes when we reap a harvest. It must have been a very discouraging time when the farmer worked all spring and summer only to have his harvest ruined by hail, flooding, or insect or disease. Certainly knowing there is food in the barns and finances from the sale of the crop would bring happiness, but knowing that the Lord again allowed for bountiful harvest would deposit joy in one’s heart. Not because of the income, but because of the faithfulness of the Lord. As the Lord works, trust grows and as trust grows, joy increases.
Jesus is the Mighty God, the warrior God of whom Isaiah prophesies. The joy he brings is real because it is not based on simply an external circumstance, but on an inner reality that has been built on the fact that Mighty God, Jesus, is working for us, again expands our joy.
Apply: What things steal your joy? What gives you joy?
Prayer: Lord, Almighty, thank you for coming to this world to exhibit your Mighty power for the benefit of your people and the salvation of our souls. AMEN.