Lectionary Preaching Workbook
A child is born whose name is wonderful and whose government
is characterized by permanence, justice and righteousness. The
people of Isaiah's day were in darkness. Assyria had just taken
Zebulon and Naphtali to captivity in 734 B.C. Out of this
darkness the people see a light of God's promise of a messianic
king, a son of God. This produces great rejoicing. His royal
names define his character: wisdom, courage, fatherly concern and
peace. His government will be characterized by permanence,