"EVERLASTING FATHER" -- Monday:
The entrance of the Savior into the world was foretold from the dawn of time. He would not be an angel, but the "Seed of the woman" (Gen 3:15). He would not come as a man, but as a "Child" – the "holy Child" (Acts 4:27,30). He would be "made of a woman, made under the law" (Gal 4:4).
But there His similarity with the remainder of mankind was brought to an abrupt conclusion. This would be One upon whom "THE government would be placed." He would be charged with bringing the purpose of God to its fulfillment. That would involve the removal of sin, and the destruction of the devil, death, and the grave. It also involved the blotting out of the indebtedness produced by the infraction of the Law, the reconciliation of the world, and the public subjugation of all the enemies of God. All of that, and more, is involved in the government being placed upon "His shoulder." This government would flourish under His rule, having an increase and peace that would never end (Isa 9:7).
The name given to this marvelous "Son" was complex. Everything about it was superlative. He was a source of wonderment and adoration, and is thus called "Wonderful." Because He effectively reveals the Father and is leading us to glory through His counsel, He is called "Counselor." All power in heaven and earth is given to Him, and thus He is appropriately called "the Mighty God." Peace between God and man, as well as Jew and Gentile, is pioneered and maintained by Him, and therefore He is "the Prince of peace."
Of particular interest is this designation: "Everlasting Father." This contradicts all appearance, for in the flesh, Jesus was NOT a father. Beginning from Adam through Mary, the mother of our Lord, there was a holy genealogy according to the flesh (Lk 3:23-38). But with Jesus, the genealogy was brought to an abrupt conclusion. Marveling at this circumstance the prophet cries out, "And who will declare His generation? For He was cut off from the land of the living" (Isa 53:8). This was the very passage the Ethiopian eunuch was pondering as he rode along in the desert (Acts 8:33).
With Jesus, a new generation began–a new order of offspring. He was the "Firstborn among many brethren"–a new race of people (Rom 8:29). These people would be "conformed to the image" of God's Son, being made "partakers of the Divine Nature" (Rom 8:29; 2 Pet 1:4). Because Jesus "ever lives," His generation is an everlasting one. His progeny has been begotten over a period of a thousand years, and Jesus is still begetting children–an "Everlasting Father."
His household is the largest and most productive household, "for more are the children of the desolate than the children of the married wife, saith the LORD" (Isa 54:1). Throughout the ages, and across the world, the sound of praise is heard from His children, begotten in His own likeness (Col 3:10). The size of His family has required an enlargement of their dwelling. "Enlarge the place of thy tent, and let them stretch forth the curtains of thine habitations: spare not, lengthen thy cords, and strengthen thy stakes; for thou shalt break forth on the right hand and on the left" (Isa 54:2). An "Everlasting Father," indeed! God be praised that we have been granted to be part of such a large household!
PRAYER POINT: Father, in the name of Jesus, I thank You for a large salvation, with an "everlasting Father" and an exceedingly large family in heaven and earth.