Wonderful Counsellor

 We are back to looking at our verse from Isaiah 9.  Here's what one commentary has to say about the words Wonderful Counsellor.  Have a listen to this whilst you are reading.   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ixoeH-1SRJU&t=92s

Wonderful. The Messiah would be "wonderful" in his nature as God-Man; in his teaching, which "astonished" those who heard it (Matthew 7:28); in his doings (Isaiah 25:1); in the circumstances of his birth and death; in his resurrection, and in his ascension. "Wonder" would be the first sentiment which his manifestation would provoke, and hence this descriptive epithet is placed first. The word used for wonderful in the Hebrew is 'pele' which also has connotations of the miraculous - of working wonders, doing marvellous things. So this Messiah will not only inspire awe in those who see Him but He will do awesome things .

As the Word, as Wisdom itself, as he who says, "Counsel is mine, and sound wisdom: I am Understanding" (Proverbs 8:14), he is well named "Counsellor." None will ever seek his counsel in vain, much less repent of following it. 

During lockdown two of my three boys were trying to study for exams on zoom in their bedrooms. One was doing GCSEs the other A levels.  It was super stressful, especially for one of them who silently struggled away for months before finally confessing to his youth pastor (who thankfully was keeping in regular touch with all the young people from church) that he really wasn't coping.  As a result we managed to find him a counsellor who went on to see him for regular appointments for a couple of years.  I never knew what was discussed in those appointments. I just knew that my boy needed that input from an unbiased, dispassionate stranger who could help him explore his feelings and responses to everything that was going on now and had gone on in the past.  She gave him a safe place to offload, and strategies (I think) to manage his thought processes.  He really valued this and even now, three years later, is still keen to access 'talking therapy' whenever he can.

The Hebrew word for Counsellor includes notions of consultation, advice, decision making, guidance, planning, devising strategy and giving.   It seems to be a much broader concept than the psychology-based notions we have today when we think about counselling.  Jesus is our Advisor.  We can go to Him to chat over an idea, express frustration, ask for help with formulating a plan, get wisdom for our decision making.  Jesus is safe. He will never betray our confidence. He is utterly reliable and always available. His counselling is free to all. He understands the motivations of our hearts, the dreams and desires we secretly harbour and He knows the plans He has for us.  At best our earthly counsellors reflect a mere shadow of the help that is available to us in Jesus.

Jesus can answer the really big questions - what makes me weak in this area?  Why do I fall into this temptation over and over.?  Can my heart ever be healed.? What am I here for?  But He also has answers for the small, every day questions . He knows what that difficult relative wants for Christmas.  He knows where would be best to go on holiday next year.  He has opinions on how much you should put in the offering on Sunday and who you should sit next to in church.  If we ask, He will talk to us about everything, all the time, every day. It's called practicing the presence of God.  Seeing Him everywhere and talking to Him about everything,

He is so wonderful. His words and His deeds are amazing. His counsel is life-giving.  Go and talk to Him today.

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