Warrior, Champion and Hero

For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us; and the government will rest on His shoulders; and His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace.  Isaiah 9:6

Mighty God – Now we discover that this child is the champion of the universe, the supreme warrior of all creation.  But how would you know that unless you knew His next title, el-gibbor?  This part of the full name of the child combines the title of “God” (el) with the adjective gibbor.  We translate it as “Mighty,” but there is much more to this adjective.  Some of it is hidden in the construction.  Some is hidden in the usage.  But, of course, it is only hidden from us, because we do not speak or read Hebrew.

Let’s put this word under the magnifying glass and see what happens.

First, the root is gbr (the consonants that form this word).   Did you notice that if we look at the consonants of gibbor, we see two b’s, not one.  This is called “doubling the middle radical.”  It is a technique to add emphasis to the word.  So, this is not just a mighty God; this is a very mighty and particularly powerful God.  It’s like having an exclamation point in the middle of the word!  Second, we discover that most of the uses of gibbor surround military conquests and actions.  Gibbor is a word for someone who carries out great deeds – a hero.  Third, by looking at the other instances of gibbor, we find that only men who demonstrate prowess, strength and exceptional accomplishments are called gibbor.  No women or children are ever included in this group, nor are ordinary men (but don’t be upset if you are a woman –‘eshet hayil [Proverbs 31] is the parallel of gibbor when a woman is the subject).  Now you can see why this name is so startlingly unusual.  This is a child who is gibbor from birth!  He is born to power, something that marks Him as totally exceptional.  Finally, this name recalls other names of God that incorporate gibbor.  You will find some in Psalm 24:8 and Deuteronomy 10:17.  These uses of gibbor tell us that this God is terrible in His power and might, shattering His enemies and causing dread and fear among those who oppose Him. 

Part of the name of this baby, born among the livestock in a backwoods village, shouts out His true identity – THE ALL MIGHTY GOD FOR WHOM NOTHING IS IMPOSSIBLE!  Yes, babies are cute.  Yes, there is a certain softness to newborns.  But never let the depiction of the manger scene rob you of what is really happening here.  El-gibbor has arrived among men, and His presence will change everything.  This is a birth for which there is no parallel.  This is the creative power of the universe wrapped in hand-woven cloth, sleeping in Mary’s arms.

If that doesn’t make you fall on your face in worship, nothing ever will.