Mighty God - Isaiah 9:6 Part-2 (page 2)
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The son that would be born would be “el” or mighty. But a mighty what? That’s where the second part of the name comes in. He will be called a mighty “gibbor.”
Gibbor
This Hebrew title is used mainly “to denote one who is mighty, strong, or valiant in war time. It is typical of a warrior. “Gibbor” is the hero or champion of the armed forces” (TWOT). One infamous individual had this title – Goliath. In 1 Samuel 17:4 we read that he was considered the "champion" [gibbor] of the Philistine Army. Certainly it was a title that he earned.
The word “gibbor” appears over 150 times in the Old Testament, of which perhaps only five refer to Yahweh. But in each case, it carries the idea of a valiant warrior, one who is capable of overcoming the enemy.
That’s why I think a better (in my humble opinion) translation would be “mighty champion” or even “God’s champion.”
The Man Jesus
Does this description fit the man, Jesus of Nazareth? Would we rightly give him this title as we celebrate what he has done? Let’s see:
Hebrews 5:7-9 “Who in the days of his flesh, having offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears unto him that was able to save him from death, and having been heard for his godly fear, though he was a Son, yet he learned obedience by the things which he suffered; and having been made perfect, he became unto all them that obey him the author of eternal salvation.”
Jesus should be considered our champion. Do you? He is the one who made salvation available to us. He is the one who brought it near enough to grab on to. It was through his work that we can expect God’s great salvation, now and in the future.
Hebrews 2:10-11 “For it was fitting for Him, for whom are all things and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons to glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings. For both He who sanctifies and those who are being sanctified are all of one, for which reason He is not ashamed to call them brethren.”
Jesus is the captain of our faith. Just as in many sports a captain is chosen to encourage, be an example for, and spur the other team members on to do their best, Jesus does that for us. The man, Jesus of Nazareth is our champion of God. Because of all we have in Christ we can truly say God is on our side, Immanuel.
The faith that Jesus championed, the faith of Jesus, can be yours. You can be mighty, through God, and be an over-comer just as Jesus was:
1 John 5:4-5 “For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world - our faith. Who is he who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?”
You see, we must believe in God as Jesus did. That, is having the faith of Jesus. Having faith (or trust) in God as Jesus did is what overcomes the world. You can be a mighty champion of faith by following in the footsteps of our mighty champion.
We all can put away childish behavior and learn to trust God more than the desires of the flesh. It’s hard, I know, but still keep practicing. Jesus is our prime example of total trust in God. He invites us to follow Him.
Reprinted with permission from Wisdom and Power - Nov/Dec 2007
Editor Chuck Jones Pastor of Church of the Open Bible, Pomona, CA
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