Wonderful Counselor
What does it mean for the Messiah to be our “Wonderful Counselor”? I (Britton) think it may help to first figure out what the words translated “Wonderful” and “Counselor” in our English Bibles would have meant to Isaiah.
In Isaiah 9:6, the Hebrew word we translate “Counselor” is ya`ats. This word has multiple meanings in Hebrew, including to advise well, to give and receive wise counsel, to give guidance, and to illuminate purpose.
Then, in an ironic twist, the word translated “Wonderful” is pele’, a word that refers to something that is so beyond our comprehension that we are left with a stunned feeling of wonder or marvel. So with the phrase “Wonderful Counselor,” we are being promised a counselor who both brings clarity and guidance to our lives yet also remains shrouded in unfathomable mystery.
This juxtaposition feels confusing to me – until I look back at my life and see how God has counseled me in ways that I still don’t fully understand.
One example of this is a season of my life when I needed to see a human counselor. Unfortunately, going to a counselor nowadays is often stigmatized and seen as a last resort, when in all reality, it is one of the healthiest choices we can make. We typically turn to a counselor only in times of desperation – when we’re so overwhelmed that we feel like we’re drowning. However, a good counselor can also help in a season of life where we just need to grow. A good counselor listens. She asks questions. She points out truths that we are too blind to see.
We often avoid going to counselors because seeking counsel can make us feel exposed or vulnerable. When we seek counsel, we have to admit that we don’t know what to do and that we need help. We have to remember that asking for help is not a sign of weakness; it is actually the bravest thing we can do. It takes faith to admit that we need help – that something is wrong. It takes courage to let someone expose the painful truths we’d rather remain blind to.
During one counseling session, my counselor literally paused, pointed at me, and spoke the truth. To be honest, it hurt. It was intimidating. But it was necessary. I had been through several difficult events in my life in close succession, yet I was unwilling to slow down in my leadership roles for long enough to heal from what I had been through. In my counselor’s words, it was as though I had gotten hit by a bus three times, yet I was still trying to lead and shepherd others – all while lying bruised and broken on a stretcher. I wanted to pretend that I was fine. I wanted to keep everything around me running smoothly. I didn’t want to admit the reality of where I was.
As I reflect on this experience now, it is clear to me that if I am not willing to admit that I need help, Jesus will not be my Wonderful Counselor. Admitting this makes me feel vulnerable, but it also makes me free. Free from trying to pretend I’m fine when I’m really not. Free from relying on my own capacity to keep everything in my life running smoothly. Free to accept and even embrace my limitations – for in my weakness, God’s power and grace are most clearly on display.
This week, we will examine the character of God as our “Wonderful Counselor,” the source of all wisdom. We will learn about His desires for us, His role in counseling us, and His provision.
But our first step of faith is to admit we need help – that we need the Messiah.
Wonderful Counselor, thank you that you meet us where we really are, not where we think we should be. Teach us to trust you with the vulnerable parts of ourselves. Give us the courage to admit our weakness and need.
Questions for Reflection:
- What are some areas of weakness and need in your life right now?
- What keeps you from fully trusting God as your Wonderful Counselor?
- How might God be glorified through the areas of weakness in your life?
- What is an area in your life in which you could admit your limitations by asking someone for help?
