For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us; and the government will rest on His shoulders; and His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace. (Isaiah 9:6)

Odd as it sounds, the coming Messiah, Jesus Christ, would be “called .. Eternal Father.” But when we use the term “father” we must ask “father of what?” His being called “Father” is not to be put in relationship to the other members of the Trinity, where Messiah is actually the second person, the Son. Rather, the term “Father” used here has to do with His relationship to eternity. He is the Father of Eternity, as the Hebrew literally puts it. Daniel writes that He is “the Ancient of Days” (Dan 7:9). As the Bible Knowledge Commentary says, “The Messiah will be a “fatherly’ ruler.”

Another commentator suggests that this title implies that, like an earthly father will not abandon his children, so Messiah will not, after securing the victory of Israel, abandon His people (Barnes Notes). Indeed, it is not all too infrequent that earthly rulers abandon what is good and right for their people and live for themselves. Saul, the first king of Israel, was concerned more about his reputation than with doing right in leading the people in obedience to God. Solomon spent copious amounts of time in pursuit of pleasure and self-aggrandizing public works, even the pleasure of any woman he wanted. In the end, the people of Israel suffered because his failed earthly fatherhood was remiss in training up his son, Rehoboam, to be a righteous king to carry on the godly dynasty of His father, David. History is replete with examples of pagan and even so-called “Christian” rulers who put themselves before their people. Messiah would not be like that. He would be the Father of Eternity, who would always care for His people.

It could also convey the sense that was common in Hebrew culture that the person who possesses a thing is called the father of it (see Barnes Notes again). So the father of strength means the person is strong, the father of knowledge is intelligent, etc. So the Father of Eternity is everlasting. Abraham is inferred to be the father of all who believe. He was the original believer, and is the “federal” head of all who believe, that is, the one who set faith as the standard. He was faithful, par excellence.

Finally, did not Jesus often refer to His followers as “children” (see John 13:33)? Yes, Messiah would be Father of Eternity, who would lead those who follow Him by faith into eternity.

Lord, I have come to know true life by faith in You for eternity (John 17:3).