King's Business - 1966-12

tice [righteousness] from henceforth even for ever” (Isaiah 9 :7 ). Fourth: Who is the “ SON” in the immensity of creation in counsel with the LORD? Let us note Luke 1:35 “And the angel answered and said unto her [Mary], The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee; therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.” Observe these words “ the Son of God.” Now let us turn to “The Book of Wisdom,” “ The Proverbs,” and behold “ The Son of God” as Counsellor in the vastness of creation: “Who hath ascended up into heaven, or descended ? who hath gathered the wind in his fists? who hath bound the waters in a garment? who hath estab­ lished all the ends of the earth? what is his name, and what is his son’s name, if thou canst tell?” (30 :4). The Counsellor in Creation Our Lord is designated “ Thy Holy Child Jesus,” and “The Holy One and the Just” in “ The Acts of the Apostles” (Acts 4:27 and 3:13-16). Thus there is a unity of thought between “ The Holy One” in “The Acts of the Apostles” and “The Holy One” in “The Prophecy by Isaiah,” to which we turn: “To whom then will ye liken me, or shall I be equal? saith the Holy One.” The question is asked, “Who hath directed the Spirit of the LORD, or being his counsellor hath taught him? With whom took he counsel. . . ?” (Isaiah 40:25, 13, 14). This question is asked again in the Epistle to the Ro­ mans : “ 0 the depth of the riches both of the wis­ dom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out! For who hath known the mind o f the Lord? or who hath been his counsellor?” (11:33, 34). For answer to these questions the mind is di­ rected heavenward and to the counsels of the God­ head: “ Lift up your eyes on high, and behold who hath created these things, that bringeth out their host by number: he calleth them all by names by the greatness of his might, for that he is strong in power; not one faileth” (Isaiah 40:25, 26). Counsellorship Within the Godhead I f Christ were (as Jehovah-Witnesses say) a dependent and inferior God, He could never be Jehovah’s Counsellor, nor confer, nor counsel with Him in divine arrangements of providence, or the execution of the divine decrees. Many are confused because it is not sufficiently or fully realized that the august name Jehovah is applied to the three distinct Persons in the God­ head, the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Ambrose Serle gave this helpful elucidation, “No created wisdom could assist the wisdom which is uncreated. The faculties made, cannot communi­ cate intelligence to Him who made them. . . . The

three divine Persons in the sacred essence, being joint, undivided, and inseparable participants of whatever knowledge or power, or attribute, is peculiar to that essence, they covenant, determine, and execute, equally, jointly, and inseparably” (Ambrose Serle, Esq., Horae Solitariae, London, 1837, p. 60). The Fellow of Jehovah of Hosts A very remarkable Scripture is given in the Prophecy by Zechariah, “What are these wounds in thine hands? Then he shall answer, Those with which I was wounded in the house of my friends. Awake, O sword, against my shepherd, and against the man that is my fellow saith the L ord of hosts” (13:6, 7). Who is this One with wounds in His hands ? Who is the Shepherd ? “The Man My Fellow saith Jehovah of hosts.” Thus, Christ is “ JEHO­ VAH’S FELLOW” or equal; Jehovah’s Counsellor. This emphasizes the truth that the eternal Son was “ the Son given,” One in the counsels of eter­ nity, the Lord Jesus Christ of the New Testament. The Counsellor of eternity is also the Coun­ sellor in Time; and the Counsellor in the Holy Trinity is also the Counsellor o f His people. No wonder Nicodemus exclaimed, “ Thou art a teacher come from God” (John 3 :2 ). Treasures of Wisdom “ Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God” (I Cor. 1:24). What a wonder to have this One as Counsellor! “ That their hearts might be comforted . . . to the acknowledgement of the mys­ tery of God, and of the Father, and of Christ; In whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge” (Col. 2 :2 ). Thus our Counsellor coun­ sels and guides according to the eternity o f His Being: “ The counsel of the L ord standeth for ever, and the thought of his heart to all generations” (Psalm 33:11). The Believer’s Praise The child o f God, counselled and guided by in­ finite wisdom, will in the heavenly Homeland unite in the song of the redeemed, “Unto Him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood . . . to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen” (Revelation 1:5, 6). Until then, as we journey toward the Celestial City, may God incline our hearts to add our paean of praise to the One Who loved us and gave Him­ self for us — “O L ord , thou art my God; I will exalt thee, I will praise thy name; for thou hast done wonderful things; thy counsels of old are faithfulness and truth” (Isaiah 25:1). Our divine Counsellor gives this assurance, “ The L ord bless thee, and keep thee” “ I will coun­ sel thee, Mine eye shall be upon thee” [margin] (Numbers 6:24; Psalm 32:8). be

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