El Gibbor

 

But there will be no gloom for her who was in anguish. In the former time he brought into contempt the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, but in the latter time he has made glorious the way of the sea, the land beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the nations. The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them has light shone. You have multiplied the nation; you have increased its joy; they rejoice before you as with joy at the harvest, as they are glad when they divide the spoil. For the yoke of his burden, and the staff for his shoulder, the rod of his oppressor, you have broken as son the day of Midian. For every boot of the tramping warrior in battle tumult and every garment rolled in blood will be burned as fuel for the fire. For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. 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 9:1-7 ESV).

 

In this brief but awe-inspiring reading we find four names for God that apply to the promised Savior, the Messiah, whom we know today is Jesus Christ. Let’s look today at the second name in this list, El Gibbor (pronounced “el gib-bohr”), which means “Mighty God.” The Hebrew word gibbor, meaning “strong, mighty,” describes heroes like Nimrod, “a mighty warrior … a mighty hunter before the LORD” (Genesis 10:8-9), and the “mighty warriors” of King David of Israel (2 Samuel 23:8). It’s a word depicting bravery, courage, and action. All these are qualities of gibbor in the compound name El Gibbor, “the Mighty God.”

 

In our current culture, we often shrink away from military language to describe God. But here God reveals himself in words that portray him as a great warrior. Should we shy away from describing our God that way? Not if that’s how he reveals himself.

 

Both physical and spiritual battles have raged across human history, with conflicts touching everyone who has ever lived. And the name El Gibbor, “Mighty God,” points to the day when all of God’s enemies, physical and spiritual, will be vanquished and all of creation will bow at the feet of Jesus, the “Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” Can you think of any greater comfort and confidence as we engage in the battles of our daily lives?