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)

Many times in the Bible we see the mightiness of God, so the phrase in itself is not unusual. But this appellation is given to the child who would be born; He would be called “Mighty God.” From our Christian, Trinitarian perspective, the implications are enormous: The coming of Jesus into the world would be the incarnation, God in the flesh, becoming part of His creation. Nothing could be more fundamental to orthodox, historic Christianity.

Consider this from the Jewish perspective, though. When did Jesus ever run the government of Israel? When was Jesus ever called any of these names? Other names in the OT often carry meanings about God; for example, Elihu means “He is God.” That doesn’t mean that the man Elihu was God incarnate, so why think “Mighty God” in Isaiah 9:6 is a reference to God coming in the flesh? Further, how could Jesus be a “Father” when in the Trinity He is the Son? Therefore, Jewish interpreters see this verse as referring to Hezekiah, whose name in meaning is similar to the phrase “Mighty God.” Some today interpret this verse as giving prophetic names to King Hezekiah, who serves as testimony to God’s greatness. Even referring to a Jewish king as “son of God” was not unheard of among the Jews (see Psalm 2:7).

Left without the NT, one might be sympathetic to such a Jewish understanding, for the idea of this verse saying that God would become a man is preposterous. In fact, the idea of an incarnation did not “catch on” until the Jews came face to face with the evidence. Jesus Himself claimed for Himself the OT prophecies about the Messiah. For example, in quoting Isaiah 61:1, he stated, “Today this Scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing” (Luke 4:17-21). In connection with this, the Jews tried to stone Him. At another time, they concluded that Jesus claimed to be God when He said, “Before Abraham was, I am” followed by their trying to stone Him (John 8:58-49).

Jesus’ followers certainly came to the conclusion He was God, there being no greater witness than a former doubter who changed his mind, namely Thomas, who confessed before Christ, “My Lord and my God” (John 20:28). There is no question, Jesus did many things only God Almighty could do: He healed the sick, stilled the storms and raised the dead. Therefore, without blasphemy or idolatry we worship Jesus Christ as the mighty God in the flesh.

Lord Jesus Christ, I believe and worship You as my Lord and my God.