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This syllable of His name refers to His singular capacity for management of matters. Other princes must have their counsellors, by whose advice they may act: but He Himself is, and shows Himself to be, Counsellor, an oracle of government, a Prince in whose own breast is the oracle for right management of all things relating to His dominion.

I. IN WHAT RESPECTS IS CHRIST THE COUNSELLOR?

1. He is of the secret council of heaven (Zechariah 6:13). He is a member of the cabinet council of heaven, to which the most favourite angel is not admitted. There is nothing transacted there, nor has been from eternity, but what He is acquainted with (John 5:20). With His Father and the Spirit He is of the council.

2. He is the oracle of counsel for the earth (John 1:18; Matthew 11:27).

(1) He is the Counsellor of the world of men.

(a)  In respect of office.

(b)  Of capacity (Colossians 2:3).

(2) He is the Counsellor of the visible Church.

(a)  He consults her interest, for her protection and preservation in the world.

(b)  He is still actively counselling her by His Word.

(3) He is the Counsellor of the invisible Church, and of every particular believer in it.

II. WHAT IS THE IMPORT OF THIS PART OF CHRIST'S NAME?

1. He is of singular wisdom for the conduct and management of affairs (Isaiah 11:2, 3). The fulness of the Spirit of wisdom is lodged in Him. He is wisdom itself, the eternal wisdom of the Father (Proverbs 8). And His children are wisdom's children (Matthew 11:19).

2. He is a Prince of great and noble designs and projects, requiring counsel and wisdom (1 Timothy 2:5, 6; Psalm 49:7, 8; 1 Peter 1:18, 19; John 17:24).

3. He can manage all by Himself and needs no counsel of men. The name of the wisest on earth may be Consulter (Proverbs 11:14). But He is so far a Counsellor that He is a consulter of none (Romans 11:34).

(1)  His understanding is infinite.

(2)  His counsels were all concerted before we had a being.

(3)  The execution of them was begun entirely without us.

(4)  How often have we seen that our counsels, had they been mixed with those of the great Counsellor, would have marred all?

4. His manner of conduct and method of management are deep and uncommon (Matthew 14:25, etc.).

5. He does nothing without a becoming reason

6. He manages all with a depth of wisdom.

7. He is the best Counsellor — there is none like Him.

III. IMPROVEMENT.

1. Take Him for your Counsellor, renouncing all other.

(1)  Renounce your own wisdom.

(2)  Renounce the counsel of the world.

(3)  Take Christ for your Counsellor, instead of all other (Isaiah 55:4).

2. Follow the counsel that He is giving you. He is counselling you in the Gospel —

(1)  To believe in Himself.

(2)  To be holy.

3. Make use of Christ as a Counsellor, by consulting Him daily.

(T. Boston.)

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KJV: 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, Counseller, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.

WEB: For to us a child is born. To us a son is given; and the government will be on his shoulders. His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.