A biblical answer to your question: following our belief that Jesus was not God from the beginning, but the Son of God

The words in Isaiah 9 are often cited as “proof” that the promised child is God Himself:

“and he is called: Wonderful Counsellor, Strong God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace” (Isa 9:5, NBG’51 translated).

“For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given; and the government shall be upon His shoulder. And His name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The Mighty God, The Everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.” (Isa 9:6 KJ21)

But the words just before that:

“A child is born to us, a son is given to us”

can surely hardly refer to Jehovah the God of gods.

For just as a son must be distinguished from a father, this child must be distinguished from God the Father. Surely it would be unclean of you to ask that you believe that Jehovah or Yahweh, the LORD, the mighty Creator and God of Israel, made the promise that He would appear as Son (of Himself?)?

No, what is meant is the son from the dynasty of David, who by faith and obedience is entitled to the throne (Isa 9:6; Ezek 21:27; Luke 1:32). This son is called elsewhere in Isaiah the servant or servant of Jehovah/Yahweh ()Isa. 53:11).

“He shall see of the travail of His soul, and shall be satisfied. By His knowledge shall My righteous Servant justify many, for He shall bear their iniquities.” (Isa 53:11 KJ21)

God and His servant are clearly distinguished.

Jesus himself also makes this distinction (John 17:3).

“And this is life eternal: that they might know Thee, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom Thou hast sent.” (Joh 17:3 KJ21)

Isaiah calls him

“Wonderful Counsellor, Godly Hero, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace (Isa 9:5 NBV).

Jesus represents his God and may be called ‘God’ or ‘Divine Hero’ in that sense. Obviously not in an absolute sense, otherwise Isaiah would have believed in several Gods – which is completely contrary to his message (see also Isa 45:5).

“I am the LORD, and there is none else; there is no God besides Me. I girded thee, though thou hast not known Me,” (Isa 45:5 KJ21)

The servant of God was obedient to the death at the stake (or as many Christians believe: on the cross), proving that he was not God but man (see also the preaching of Peter and Paul, Acts 2:22,23,32; 17:31).

Jesus will be like a ‘father’ to his people. He has been given power of attorney to lead his people. As God is the Shepherd of His people, Jesus has received power to be shepherd of all who believe in him. It was more common for a king to be ‘father’ to God’s people (Isa 22:21).

“And I will clothe him with thy robe and strengthen him with thy girdle, and I will commit thy government into his hand; and he shall be a father to the inhabitants of Jerusalem and to the house of Judah.” (Isa 22:21 KJ21)

A son honours his father, a servant his lord (Mal. 1:6).

“”A son honoreth his father, and a servant his master. If then I be a father, where is Mine honor? And if I be a master, where is the fear of Me? saith the LORD of hosts unto you, O priests, who despise My name. And ye say, ‘Wherein have we despised Thy name?’” (Mal 1:6 KJ21)

Eventually, there is only one God, one Father (Jehovah/Yahweh).

“Do we not all have the same father, has not one and the same God created us?” (Mal. 2:10).

Jesus is God’s son and that is how all New Testament writers paint him! Not surprisingly, Jesus never called himself ‘God’!

 

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Please come also to read

1. God of gods
2. Only One God
3. God is one
4. The Almighty Lord, God above all gods
5. The “I am” statement
6. Foretold Messiah 2 a Voice giving The Word to His servants
7. God’s Face shining on His servant
8. The wrong hero
9. The Climax of Matthew’s story
10. The saviour Jesus his human side
11. Authority from the One God to one mediator between God and men
12. Entrance of a king to question our position #1 Coming in the Name of the Lord
13. The Servant’s Prayer
14. Looking for a shepherd for the sheep and goats