How is Jesus “Wonderful Counselor” (Isaiah 9:6)?

WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY?

Isaiah promised a Messiah—the royal Son—who would bring peace and justice and bear the title Wonderful Counselor (Isaiah 9:6-7). There, “wonderful” means beyond human comprehension, and “counselor” refers to a wise, trusted ruler who gives perfect guidance. Isaiah echoed this when he said the Lord is wonderful in counsel (Isaiah 28:29). The promised King would be filled with the Spirit of wisdom and would judge righteously (Isaiah 11:1-4). This hope was announced to a people living under Assyrian oppression and deep uncertainty (Isaiah 8:21-22; Isaiah 9:1).

Jesus fulfilled that hope. He healed and taught with authority (Matthew 4:23; Matthew 7:28-29; Luke 4:22). He knew people’s hearts and needs (John 1:47-48; John 2:25). He taught counterintuitive truths—loving enemies, rejoicing in persecution---and trusting God rather than worrying (Luke 6:27; Matthew 5:11-12; Matthew 6:25-34). He lived without sin, died to save, and rose again (Hebrews 4:15; Mark 16:6). Paul said all wisdom is found in Him (Colossians 2:3).

FROM THE OLD TESTAMENT

• Isaiah spoke during days filled with fear and foreign threats, promising a child who would reign with justice and peace. He said, “his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor” (Isaiah 9:6), signaling a leader whose guidance would be unlike any earthly adviser.
• Speaking of that future ruler, Isaiah said, “Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and forevermore. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will do this” (Isaiah 9:7). As God prepared Israel to be captured because of her sin, He also promised a leader whose counsel would bring restoration and security to the world.
• The word “wonderful” extends beyond ordinary skill to encompass God’s awe-inspiring acts. When the angel of the LORD told Manoah, “Why do you ask my name, seeing it is wonderful?”, the message was that the Lord’s work surpasses human understanding (Judges 13:18). Isaiah later described the Lord as “wonderful in counsel” and “excellent in wisdom” (Isaiah 28:29). Therefore, the title in Isaiah 9 links incomprehensible wonder with royalty, offering counsel that embodies God’s own wisdom.
• In ancient Israel, a counselor was not like a modern therapist. Instead, he was a strategist and ruler. For example, 2 Samuel indicates, “Now in those days the counsel that Ahithophel gave was as if one consulted the word of God; so was all the counsel of Ahithophel esteemed, both by David and by Absalom” (2 Samuel 16:23). King David considered talking to Ahithophel as like talking to God. Therefore, a true counselor was one with divine authority.
• Indeed, such a person was so vital to rulership that, when Israel sinned, Micah lamented, “Has your counselor perished?” (Micah 4:9). Isaiah, written in the same context as Micah, responded to the absence of counselors by pointing to a coming King, whose eternal rulership would include the role of a perfect counselor (Isaiah 9:6-7).
• Isaiah also described how the King would rule so wonderfully: “And the Spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him, the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and might, the Spirit of knowledge and the fear of the LORD” (Isaiah 11:2). This Spirit-filled ruler would delight in the fear of the Lord, judge the poor with righteousness, and decide with equity for the meek of the earth (Isaiah 11:3-4). His counsel would be perfectly rooted in God’s character and justice. In this way, the promise of the Wonderful Counselor becomes the promise of God’s wisdom embodied in a person.

FROM THE NEW TESTAMENT

• From the start of His ministry, Jesus embodied the promised wisdom of the royal Son. Matthew recorded that the crowds were amazed, for He “was teaching them as one who had authority” (Matthew 7:29). Luke noted that, as He opened the Scriptures in the synagogue, everyone “spoke well of Him” (Luke 4:17-22). They were hearing the voice of the promised King, whose counsel is perfect because it is divine.
• Jesus’ counsel touched the heart. John wrote that He “knew what was in man” (John 2:25) and why He could address Nathanael’s inner life before they even met (John 1:47-48). Because He saw people as they truly were, His words fit them perfectly: Nicodemus needed a new birth, the Samaritan woman needed living water, and the rich young man needed a new treasure (John 3:1-8; John 4:7-26; Mark 10:21-22). His counsel fits each person exactly because His knowledge is complete.
• Jesus’ wisdom also goes against our natural instincts. He taught love for enemies, joy in the face of mistreatment, and freedom from worry by trusting the Father’s care (Luke 6:27; Matthew 5:11-12; Matthew 6:25-34). Then He invited the tired to come with the promise, “I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28). His advice is wonderful because it brings God’s life to ordinary people who are crushed by fear and guilt.
• Christ’s moral perfection makes His guidance completely trustworthy. The writer of Hebrews says He can “sympathize with our weaknesses, … one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin was without sin” (Hebrews 4:15-16). After suffering and dying, Jesus rose again (Mark 16:6), showing that His counsel is saving truth. Paul says Christ is the one “in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge” (Colossians 2:3). To listen to Jesus is to receive God’s wisdom.
• The risen Lord continues to guide His people through His Word and by His Spirit. On the road to Emmaus, He guided discouraged disciples by “beginning with Moses and all the Prophets” and showing them how the Scriptures point to Him (Luke 24:27). He promised that the Spirit would teach and remind His followers of His words—a promise He fulfills as the church clings to His teaching (John 14:26). James urged believers to ask God for wisdom, confident that He gives generously (James 1:5).
• As the reigning King, Jesus still counsels His churches. He told Laodicea, “I counsel you to buy from me gold refined by fire” (Revelation 3:18). This revealed their need and provided true riches. His royal counsel both corrects and comforts, preparing His followers for His return. In Him, the title of Isaiah 9 becomes a living truth: the Wonderful Counselor rules and shepherds with His wise, saving word.

IMPLICATIONS FOR TODAY

Since Jesus is the Wonderful Counselor, you are not alone in figuring out how to navigate life or address your sin. You have a King who knows you completely and speaks with authority. When anxiety arises, decisions become overwhelming, or shame whispers that you are beyond help, you can come to Him. He welcomes the weary and generously provides wisdom to those who ask (Matthew 11:28; James 1:5).

In practice, this counsel reaches you through Scripture, prayer, and a local church that upholds His Word. Open a Gospel and listen to His voice. Be honest with Him about your situation, and ask for wisdom. Also, seek mature believers who will point you to Christ and help you apply Scripture to your circumstances. His guidance may go against your instincts, but because He is the Wonderful Counselor, you can trust that His words lead to life and peace.

If you do not know Him, turn to Jesus today. Trust in His death for your sins and His resurrection as your hope. He will forgive you, make you His own, and guide you wisely, step by step, for the rest of your life.

UNDERSTAND

• Jesus is called “Wonderful Counselor” because He surpasses all human wisdom and through Him we have eternal life.
• In His incarnate time on Earth, Jesus was the wisest man who ever lived.
• Through God’s word and prayer, believers can seek the Lord’s wisdom.

REFLECT

• In what ways do you seek Christ’s counsel each day?
• In what areas of your life do you regularly pray for wisdom?
• How do you support Christian brothers and sisters who are battling anxiety, fear, and/or persistent sin?

ENGAGE

• What should Christians’ attitude be toward seeking worldly counselors?
• How can the church encourage believers to seek Christ’s counsel above all?
• How does understanding Jesus as the “Wonderful Counselor” change the way we approach difficult decisions and challenges in our daily lives?