There's WONDER in "Wonderful"

There is an exciting anticipation comprised in the word "Wonder," especially as it is connected with divinity in the Bible, particularly during the Christmas season. And his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor (Isaiah 9:6). Observe two truths arising from this text:

First, according to E. J. Young (late professor of Westminster Seminary) the literal term is "wonder." That it occurs first imparts emphasis. So, not only is the Messiah wonderful, but he is himself a Wonder, inside and out, through and through. The idea of “wonder” is used in Psalm 78:12, where it refers to the works of God, In the sight of their fathers he performed wonders in the land of Egypt, . . . Here the same word is used to describe the miracles God performed in Egypt, dividing the Red Sea, the pillars of cloud and fire, and water from a rock in the desert. These are some of God’s wonders. The word refers to what God has done and not to the work of man.

Second, “wonder” refers to something, or, in God’s case, someone, who is incomprehensible to man. In Judges 13:18, the angel of the Lord asks Gideon, “Why are you asking what is my name, since it is Wonderful,” or secret? Essentially, this is an OT form of Jesus incarnate. Similarly, Jacob asked him, "Please tell me your name." But he said, "Why is it that you ask my name?" (Genesis 32:29). This wasn’t just an angel, but God himself! Ouch!! Wonder, then means that he surpasses human thought and power. So, while the Christ child seems so approachable (Immanuel-"God with us"), we do well to remember that he is also transcendent (above us, beyond us). Rudolph Otto named this aspect of God, numinous, or the "Wholly Other." Indeed, mystery surrounds God and we must be careful not to allow our knowledge of him to degrade into that which is too pedestrian. 

A right stance for us to take, then, with regard to God is to repeat with David, "Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high; I cannot attain it" (Psalm 139:6). Peer over the fence at God's awesomeness, and in shocked silence, behold the Lamb! Charles Wesley got it right when he penned "Hark, the Herald Angels Sing." In his original version he wrote:

Veiled in flesh, the Godhead see,

Hail the incarnate deity!

Pleased as man with men to appear,

Jesus! Our Immanuel here!

Now display thy saving power,
Ruined nature now restore;
Now in mystic union join
Thine to ours, and ours to thine.

Enter into this glorious place, unearned by man--true, but not un-enjoyed!