Sermon Tone Analysis

We talked last week about Jesus being called the wonderful counselor and that because he was fully human and fully God that He understands what we are going through and that through the Holy Spirit, He can give us counsel on how to live to please God.

This week we will look at the second name, but before we dive in I would like to honor the text by reading it in Hebrew style which is to stand for its reading.

You may be seated.

Imagine yourself as an Israelite.

You can feel the weight of the neighboring armies approaching Jerusalem and you know you only have a set amount of time before your city will be overthrown, the prophet speaks of this daily.

As the prophet speaks you are told your city will be overthrown, the people will be snared or captures, God’s face will be hidden from you, He will not listen to your prayers.

Where do you find joy in those words?

Yet, that is not where the prophet ends, the prophet describes one who will come in the future, that will be the wonderful counselor, the mighty warrior God, everlasting father and prince of peace.

Today, we will look at the name probably translated as mighty God, but will give it a clearer picture as to its use in the Old Testament.

The word used here in the Hebrew is a compound word for God, El-Gibbor.

El was a common name for God.

It occurs 230 times in the Masoretic Text of the Old Testament.

Some times it referenced men, for example Isra-el, or one who wrestled with God.

Gibbor is used 150 times in the Masoretic Text and means “strong, vigorous, hero, champion or warrior.

Sometimes it is a term used of men, like in 2 Samuel 23:8, when it refers to David’s mighty men.

Other times though it is used of God.

So, let’s look at two of those references to get the nuance of the usage.

Great and Awesome God, is this word El-Gibbor.

Here God is pictured as a Warrior God.

The one who defeated Pharaoh and now will send the hornet to get rid of those nations who are hiding.

In your fear, God will be the warrior you need.

Another place we see this is in Psalm 24.

A Psalm of David.

Again, the Phrase El-Gibbor is used where it says the Lord mighty in battle.

In this Psalm of praise, God is being praised as being the being the King of Glory and one of his attributes in being Strong and Mighty.

It used other places in Isaiah.

But, how does this apply to Jesus?

A lot of times we do not think of Jesus as a mighty warrior, but the bible writers make it clear to us that this is a role of Jesus.

Paul reminds us in 1 Corinthians 15

In 1 Corinthians 15,

Later in the same passage, Paul says,:

Jesus conquers the world, sin and death.

in 2 Thessalonians, we see Jesus described as the one who will overthrow Satan.

Jesus conquers Satan.

Finally, we see Jesus not only as a wonderful counselor, but as a our mighty warrior, leading us to victory.

Jesus is our Might Warrior.

Leading us to victory.