Everlasting Father - Isaiah 9:6 Part - 3 (page - 2)
<Page 1
Both references to the throne being “olam” refer to the distant future king – Jesus. The reign of Christ on the throne of his father David is perpetual; on into the age to come. Usually, when we use the term, forever, it has reference to a starting time, but no end. So, it is easy to see how the word “olam” can be used for Jesus, as everlasting on into the future.
Father
The second part of the name I found to be very interesting. I want to explain this part first and then put the two together.
Our English word “father” is used to translate the Hebrew word, “ab.” You may more readily recognize the Aramaic form, “abba.” In its simplest use it is the designation for a biological father. It is also used, however, to identify a principle person. In America, we use the term “father of our country” for George Washington. “Ab” is a title used of both Yahweh and men.
Since we are familiar with the term, as it is used for biological fathers, here are some ways it’s used in non-biological terms:
The father of a servant is his master. Elisha used this title for Elijah in 2 Kings 2:12. The protector of the poor is their father. Job classified himself as a father of the needy, looking into the cases of those he didn’t know (Job 29:16). The governor of Jerusalem is father to the inhabitants. As Isaiah tells us, “It shall happen in that day, that I will call my servant Eliakim the son of Hilkiah: and I will cloth him with your robe, and strengthen him with your belt, and I will commit your government into his hand; and he shall be a father to the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and to the house of Judah (Isaiah 22:20, 21).
The title father is used for one in authority whether it be prophet, priest, king, or founder of a tribal unit. Perhaps the most familiar is Abraham as the founder of a tribal unit. He is called the father of those who are of faith. “For this cause it is of faith, that it may be according to grace, to the end that the promise may be sure to all the seed, not to that only which is of the law, but to that also which is of the faith of Abraham, who is the father of us all” (Romans 4:16).
We have the privilege of being counted as sons of Abraham, “Know therefore that those who are of faith, the same are sons of Abraham. The scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel beforehand to Abraham, saying, "In you will all the nations be blessed. So then, those who are of faith are blessed with faithful Abraham” (Galatians 3:7-9).
Now To Jesus
As promised, I want to make the application to Jesus. Using Jesus’ own words we read in John 8:56-58: “Your father Abraham rejoiced to see my day. He saw it, and was glad. The Jews therefore said to him, "You are not yet fifty years old, and have you seen Abraham?" Jesus said to them, "Most assuredly, I tell you, before Abraham was born, I am.”
In the same way as Abraham is a father of the faithful, Jesus is for his people. “Before Abraham was” Jesus said, “I am.” Before Abraham received the covenant Jesus was already in God’s plan. As Paul explains, the gospel was preached to Abraham. The plan was already in fully in the mind of God in Abraham’s day.
It may be best explained here: “But you, Beth-lehem Ephrathah, which are little among the thousands of Judah, out of you shall one come forth to me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth are from of old, from everlasting” (Micah 5:2).
Jesus of Nazareth was in God’s plan from the beginning, from “olam” the long distant past. Yahweh has established the throne of David forever, and Jesus will occupy it.
Jesus is the founder of our “tribal” unit, the church. He is our protector, our master, our governor, and our King into the ages to come. In those regards, he is our Everlasting (olam) Father (ab). His position with Yahweh will remain in the age to come. We can be secure in that.
Now is a good time to join with Jesus and his “tribe.” We must turn from the world, agree with
Yahweh that Jesus is indeed our Everlasting Father and seek the perpetual kingdom to come.
Reprinted with permission from Wisdom and Power , - Nov/Dec 2007
Editor Chuck Jones Pastor of Church of the Open Bible, Pomona, CA
Related Articles: