Everlasting Father
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Hey You!
As much as I love this season, I dislike the effort I have to go through to have everything fall into place. Because it involves cleaning, rearranging, moving, displacing, my stuff. Just when I have things cleaned up from the last event, then this ordeal. You know, everything is stacked just right in that storage closet or attic, garage, and the next item added might be the one that ends the Jenga winning streak.
But thinking of this reminds me that even though we know the season is designed to help the world focus on Jesus more than they normally do, it can digress to a season of only material gifts and our possessions.
Why is this? Why do we have the tendency to digress? Is is the season or something else?
Why We Become So Attached to Our Belongings
Francine Russo, “Our Stuff, Ourselves,” Scientific American (5-18), Pages 66-71; submitted by Jerry de Luca, Montreal West, Montreal, Canada
📷
Our excessively materialistic culture has not gone unnoticed by researchers. If you were to roundup the primary research the findings would tell us this.
Material things don’t just fill basic emotional needs:
In fact, our possessions do not just make us feel secure by substituting for important people in our lives; we actually see these objects as an extension of ourselves. We believe—or perhaps act as if we believe—that in some ways our very essence permeates our things. If these things become damaged or lost, we ourselves become damaged or lost.
People can and do let us down, but not things. “That worn sweatshirt is not human. It does not show us compassion. Neither does a teddy bear or a coffee mug. But, scientists point out, these objects are utterly reliable, always present and under our control. We can count on them.” According to Professor Ian Norris, “Other people are an extension of our self-concept. When those relationships are unstable or unfulfilling, people may lack the connection they need and attach meaning to products that fill the void.”
There’s been an enormous amount of research on the widespread problem with hoarding. One of the main factors is: “The presence of disorders such as depression and anxiety, which make people emotionally vulnerable. Hoarding sufferers use their belongings to safeguard their identity, to ‘soothe their fears’ and to build ‘fortresses’ to make them feel more secure.” Scientific American (5-18)
There is someone who won’t let us down. We are celebrating him this season. Let’s look into Jesus some more today.
It’s not the season, it’s because of the broken relationships we experience in this broken world
But as we go to scripture, to help with restoring the most important relationship in this season to do such a thing.
A child is born to us, a son is given to us, and authority will be on his shoulders. He will be named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace.
21 I will give him your robe and wrap him in your sash, and I will hand over to him your authority. He will be a father to the inhabitants of Jerusalem and to the house of Judah. 22 I will place the key to David’s house on his shoulder; what he opens no one will close, and what he closes no one will open.
Look!
This Deliverer will also be called the Everlasting Father. Many people are puzzled by this title because the Messiah, God’s Son, is distinguished in the Trinity from God the Father. How can the Son be the Father? Several things must be noted in this regard.
The third name is one word in Hebrew, combining two ideas in one concept.
It is possible to translate it as
noun
an adjective and noun “Everlasting Father” (ʾăbîʿad) Ahvahd
“Everlasting Father” (ʾăbîʿad) Ahvahd
as a sentence “my father [is] eternal,”
c) The third name is one word in Hebrew, combining two ideas in one concept. It is possible to translate it as an adjective and noun “Everlasting Father” (ʾăbîʿad), as a sentence “my father [is] eternal,” or as a genitive phrase “father of eternity.” “Father” is a relatively rare way of describing God in the Hebrew Bible (; , ; ; ; ) and a rarer way of describing a king (), though the Israelites are frequently called God’s sons (). This tendency may be a conscious attempt to avoid pagan images of the gods giving birth to people. Since fathers were the heads of tribes who wisely led the people, it is a fitting title for a ruler if one wants to avoid some of the negative connotations of kingship. “Everlasting” is a title that does not apply to any human ruler, except that the Davidic promise speaks of one who will rule on the throne of David forever (). Since 9:7 refers to a person ruling forever on the throne of David, the “everlasting father” in 6 must be the same ruler.
or as a genitive phrase “father of eternity.”
Because of the way this is constructed, its an idiom used to help us understand the deliverer.
IDIOM a group of words established by usage as having a meaning not deducible from those of the individual words (e.g., rain cats and dogs, see the light).
“Father” is a relatively rare way of describing God in the Hebrew Bible (
Is this how you thank the Lord, you stupid, senseless people? Isn’t he your father your creator? Didn’t he make you and establish you?
; , ; ; ; ) and a rarer way of describing a king (), though the Israelites are frequently called God’s sons (). This tendency may be a conscious attempt to avoid pagan images of the gods giving birth to people. Since fathers were the heads of tribes who wisely led the people, it is a fitting title for a ruler if one wants to avoid some of the negative connotations of kingship.
; , ; ; ; )
This Deliverer will also be called the Everlasting Father. Many people are puzzled by this title because the Messiah, God’s Son, is distinguished in the Trinity from God the Father. How can the Son be the Father? Several things must be noted in this regard. First, the Messiah, being the second Person of the Trinity, is in His essence, God. Therefore He has all the attributes of God including eternality. Since God is One (even though He exists in three Persons), the Messiah is God. Second, the title “Everlasting Father” is an idiom used to describe the Messiah’s relationship to time, not His relationship to the other Members of the Trinity. He is said to be everlasting, just as God (the Father) is called “the Ancient of Days” (). The Messiah will be a “fatherly” Ruler. Third, perhaps Isaiah had in mind the promise to David () about the “foreverness” of the kingdom which God promised would come through David’s line. The Messiah, a Descendant of David, will fulfill this promise for which the nation had been waiting.
and a rarer way of describing a king (
The third name is one word in Hebrew, combining two ideas in one concept. It is possible to translate it as an adjective and noun “Everlasting Father” (ʾăbîʿad), as a sentence “my father [is] eternal,” or as a genitive phrase “father of eternity.” “Father” is a relatively rare way of describing God in the Hebrew Bible (; , ; ; ; ) and a rarer way of describing a king (), though the Israelites are frequently called God’s sons (). This tendency may be a conscious attempt to avoid pagan images of the gods giving birth to people. Since fathers were the heads of tribes who wisely led the people, it is a fitting title for a ruler if one wants to avoid some of the negative connotations of kingship. “Everlasting” is a title that does not apply to any human ruler, except that the Davidic promise speaks of one who will rule on the throne of David forever (). Since 9:7 refers to a person ruling forever on the throne of David, the “everlasting father” in 6 must be the same ruler.
Let the Lord judge between you and me, and let the Lord avenge me on you. But my hand shall not be against you.
), though the Israelites are frequently called God’s sons (). This tendency may be a conscious attempt to avoid pagan images of the gods giving birth to people. Since fathers were the heads of tribes who wisely led the people, it is a fitting title for a ruler if one wants to avoid some of the negative connotations of kingship.
), though the Israelites are frequently called God’s sons (
Then say to Pharaoh, ‘This is what the Lord says: Israel is my oldest son. I said to you, “Let my son go so he could worship me.” But you refused to let him go. As a result, now I’m going to kill your oldest son.’ ”
). This tendency may be a conscious attempt to avoid pagan images of the gods giving birth to people. Since fathers were the heads of tribes who wisely led the people, it is a fitting title for a ruler if one wants to avoid some of the negative connotations of kingship.
). This tendency may be a conscious attempt to avoid pagan images of the gods giving birth to people. Since fathers were the heads of tribes who wisely led the people, it is a fitting title for a ruler if one wants to avoid some of the negative connotations of kingship.
“Everlasting” is a title that does not apply to any human ruler, except that the Davidic promise speaks of one who will rule on the throne of David forever (). Since 9:7 refers to a person ruling forever on the throne of David, the “everlasting father” in 6 must be the same ruler.
Everlasting” is a title that does not apply to any human ruler, except that the Davidic promise speaks of one who will rule on the throne of David forever (
Your dynasty and your kingdom will be secured forever before me. Your throne will be established forever.
).
).
Since 9:7 refers to a person ruling forever on the throne of David, the “everlasting father” in 6 must be the same ruler.
This Deliverer will also be called the Everlasting Father. Many people are puzzled by this title because the Messiah, God’s Son, is distinguished in the Trinity from God the Father. How can the Son be the Father? Several things must be noted in this regard.
First, the Messiah, being the second Person of the Trinity, is in His essence, God. Therefore He has all the attributes of God including eternality. Since God is One (even though He exists in three Persons), the Messiah is God.
Second, the title “Everlasting Father” is an idiom used to describe the Messiah’s relationship to time, not His relationship to the other Members of the Trinity.
IDIOM a group of words established by usage as having a meaning not deducible from those of the individual words (e.g., rain cats and dogs, see the light).
He is said to be everlasting, just as God (the Father) is called “the Ancient of Days” (
As I was watching, thrones were raised up. The ancient one took his seat. His clothes were white like snow; his hair was like a lamb’s wool. His throne was made of flame; its wheels were blazing fire.
). The Messiah will be a “fatherly” Ruler.
). The Messiah will be a “fatherly” Ruler.
Third, perhaps Isaiah had in mind the promise to David () about the “foreverness” of the kingdom which God promised would come through David’s line. The Messiah, a Descendant of David, will fulfill this promise for which the nation had been waiting.
Everlasting Father. As God the Father is eternal, so also is Christ. Isaiah calls Him the Father because He is Father to all mankind in a special sense, being the Creator of men and of the world (; ;
Because all things were created by him: both in the heavens and on the earth, the things that are visible and the things that are invisible. Whether they are thrones or powers, or rulers or authorities, all things were created through him and for him.
; ; cf. ).
Then God said, “Let us make humanity in our image to resemble us so that they may take charge of the fish of the sea, the birds in the sky, the livestock, all the earth, and all the crawling things on earth.”
; ; cf.
).
No other word than “Father” so fully expresses the love and care of Jesus toward His children. When Christ rules, it will be as a father to His people (
I will give him your robe and wrap him in your sash, and I will hand over to him your authority. He will be a father to the inhabitants of Jerusalem and to the house of Judah. I will place the key to David’s house on his shoulder; what he opens no one will close, and what he closes no one will open.
I will give him your robe and wrap him in your sash, and I will hand over to him your authority. He will be a father to the inhabitants of Jerusalem and to the house of Judah.
, ; cf. ).
Not only is everlasting father a name to describe his relationship to time, it describes his relationship with us.
See!
Baseball Players Show God's Love
Rabbi Paysach Krohn, "God's Perfection," www.truthorfiction.com (accessed 11-18-02); submitted by Jerry De Luca, Montreal West,
Chush is a school that caters to learning-disabled children in Brooklyn, New York. At a Chush fundraising dinner, the father of a Chush child delivered an unforgettable speech.
After extolling the school and its dedicated staff, he said, "Where is the perfection in my son Shaya? Everything God does is done with perfection. But my child cannot understand things as other children do. My child cannot remember facts and figures as other children do. Where is God's perfection?"
The audience was shocked by the question. "I believe," the father answered, "that when God brings a child like this into the world, the perfection that he seeks is in the way people react to this child."
He then told this story:
One afternoon he and Shaya walked past a park where some boys Shaya knew were playing baseball. Shaya asked, "Do you think they will let me play?" Shaya's father knew most boys would not want him on their team, but he understood that if his son were chosen to play it would give him a comfortable sense of belonging.
Shaya's father approached one of the boys in the field and asked if Shaya could play. The boy looked around for guidance from his teammates. Getting none, he said, "We are losing by six runs and the game is in the eighth inning. I guess he can be on our team, and we'll try to put him up to bat in the ninth inning."
Shaya was told to put on a glove and go out to play center field. In the bottom of the eighth inning, Shaya's team scored a few runs but was still behind by three.
In the bottom of the ninth inning, Shaya's team scored again. With two outs and the bases loaded, Shaya was scheduled to be up. Surprisingly, Shaya was given the bat. Everyone knew it was all but impossible, because Shaya didn't even know how to hold the bat properly, let alone hit with it. However, as Shaya stepped up to the plate, the pitcher moved a few steps to lob the ball in softly.
The first pitch came in, and Shaya swung clumsily and missed. One of Shaya's teammates came up to Shaya, and together they held the bat and faced the pitcher. The pitcher again took a few steps forward to toss the ball softly toward Shaya.
As the pitch came in, Shaya and his teammate swung the bat, and together they hit a slow ground ball to the pitcher. The pitcher picked up the soft grounder and easily could have thrown the ball to the first baseman. Instead, the pitcher threw the ball on a high arc to right field, far beyond reach of the first baseman.
Everyone started yelling, "Shaya, run to first. Run to first!"
Never in his life had Shaya run to first. He scampered down the baseline wide-eyed and startled. By the time he reached first base, the right fielder had the ball. He could have thrown the ball to the second baseman.Instead, he threw the ball high and far over the third baseman's head.
Everyone yelled, "Run to second, run to second!"
Shaya ran towards second base as the runners ahead of him circled the bases towards home. As Shaya reached second base, the opposing shortstop ran to him, turned him in the direction of third base, and shouted, "Run to third!"
As Shaya rounded third, the boys from both teams ran behind him screaming, "Shaya, run home!"
Shaya ran home, and all 18 boys lifted him on their shoulders and made him the hero, as he had just hit a "grand slam" and won the game for his team.
"That day," said the father softly with tears rolling down his face, "those 18 boys reached their level of God's perfection."
Just like this, Christ helps with our imperfections and prepares the way around the bases of life, where we would otherwise fail. He lifts us up, caries us along. cheers for us, comes to our defense as Shaya’s father.
We in turn can, with the Lord’s help, treat others this way, to help them along, and lead them to Jesus.
If we could write the rest of the story, it would be that his teammates took more time in the future to include him and teach him to play the game. Even with his disabilities, he could be allowed to develop at his own pace, which he certainly wouldn’t have been able to do without their assistance and patience. And for them, the greatest part isn’t necessarily that he gets a little better at playing the game, but that his relationship with his teammates grows stronger and closer, as they share a common purpose and mission, as they develop into a better team and family.
Do!
Approach the everlasting father, accept him and his forgiveness, allow him to rule your life, follow him, share him. Work towards improving a trusting relationship with God. That comes from getting involved in his plan for your life. To be a disciple maker, a prayer warrior, singer, teacher, listener, food ministry, servant, humble, assistant, literature evangelist, committee member, friend.