02/05/2026
“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, *Everlasting Father*, Prince of Peace.” — Isaiah 9:6, ESV
1. Context first: Who’s this about?
Isaiah wrote this 700+ years before Jesus was born. It’s a prophecy about the Messiah who would come. The apostles in the New Testament applied this verse to Christ — see Matthew 4:15-16 and Luke 1:79.
2. Why “Everlasting Father” if He’s the Son?
This is the part that confuses people. But this doesn’t mean Jesus = God the Father. In the Trinity, the Father and the Son are distinct Persons. He’s called, “Everlasting Father”because:
A. He’s a Father in care and protection
In Israel’s culture, a king was called, “Father of the nation” — meaning provider, protector, and caregiver. Jesus, as Messiah and King, is a Father to believers*.
John 10:28 says: _“I give them eternal life, and they will never perish.” That’s what a father does — gives life and protects.
B. Everlasting = Source of eternal life
He’s the _“author of life”_ Acts 3:15. Through Christ we become “children of God” - John 1:12. So in a spiritual sense, He’s the Father of the new creation 2 Cor 5:17. He’s not God the Father, but He fathers our faith*.
C. Hebrew word: _“Avi-ad”_ = “Father of Eternity”
Literal translation: _“Father of Eternity” Meaning, He owns, originates, and rules over eternity. He wasn’t created — He Himself is eternal. Col 1:17: _“He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together.”
Then in Isaiah 9:6, He’s also the Everlasting Father eternal life to your
_“Everlasting Father”_ doesn’t mean Jesus and God the Father are the same Person. They’re distinct in the Trinity. But He’s called that because:
1. He’s a King who cares like a father
2. He’s the Source of eternal life
3. His nature is eternal— He’s the _“Father of Eternity”_
So deep, right? 700 BC and God already planned that Jesus would come as Wonderful Counselor for the confused, Mighty God for the weak, Everlasting Father for the fatherless, and Prince of Peace for the restless.
-SfT