To whom was the Son given in Isaiah 9:6?
According to Isaiah 9:6, the Son is given 'unto us,' and the context identifies that 'us' as the nation of Israel. The promise was given to Israel, for the Messiah came first to His own people, Israel, as confirmed by John's statement that His own received Him not.
Les explains that Isaiah 9:6 reads, 'For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given.' He ties this verse to John 3:16, where God gave His only begotten Son. But then he asks, 'to whom was the Son given?' and answers, 'To the nation of Israel.' He points to John's words: 'He came unto His own, and His own received Him not.' Les stresses never losing sight that Christ in His first coming came to the nation of Israel. So the Son was given to Israel, and the government shall be upon His shoulder—this Son that would be given. He also notes the names of the Messiah in that passage, which Handel's Messiah celebrates, and reads verse 7 about the increase of His government.
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, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
Why are the names in Isaiah 9:6 capitalized?
They are capitalized because they are terms of deity belonging to the coming King, the Messiah, the Son of God, who is introduced in the New Testament as Jesus the Christ. The capitalized names identify Him as the Mighty God and the preexistent Creator God, not merely a man.
To whom was God's only begotten Son given in John 3:16?
In John 3:16 God gave His only begotten Son to the nation of Israel. Although the verse speaks of God's love for the world, the context ties the giving of the Son to Israel, for He came unto His own, and His own received Him not.
More Questions
What does 'unto us a son is given' in Isaiah 9:6 mean for understanding John 3:16?
In Isaiah 9:6, God gave His Son to 'us'—the people of Israel—as the Messiah through covenant promises, not because they deserved it; this is the same giving referred to in John 3:16.
What are the titles of Christ in Isaiah 9:6?
The capitalised names 'Wonderful, Consular, the Mighty God, the Everlasting Father, and the Prince of Peace' are all titles of Christ, the Messiah.