PAST COLUMN #12

From the West Meadow
By Pastor Wesley Higgins

What’s in a name? Names, like words, have meaning. Most of us were given our names by parents with little or no thought of what they mean or whether they reflect who we are.

It has not always been so. Many of us have surnames that reflect ancestral professions or duties: Baker or Smith. My great-great grandfather’s name was Johan; his daughter, my great- grandmother, was Johandotter; her brothers were Johansens.

God in His infinite wisdom calls things and people what they are. To God, names are important! God Himself uses many names or titles, all of which reflect part of His nature. For instance, in Genesis 22:14 God is called YHWH-Jireh, “God Will Provide”; in Exodus 15:26 He is YHWH Rapheka, “God Our Healer”. The New King James translates Adonai YHWH (master God) in exodus 23:17 as “the Lord God”.

The names of God, which describe His nature, go on and on. In Exodus 31:13 He is called YHWH Mekaddishkem, or “God Who Sanctifies”; in Psalm 23:1 He is YHWH Roi, “God My Shepherd”. The name Jesus, whose name is above all names (Philippians 2:9-10), means “the Lord shall save”; Christ means “Anointed One”.

From time to time, God changed peoples’ names to reflect what they had become. Abram, whose name meant “exalted father”, became Abraham, “father of many”. Jacob’s name was changed by God from “supplanter” to Israel, meaning “God rules”. The El in Israel means God the Almighty Creator.

God has even promised that in the future He would change our names. “To him who overcomes–I will give him a white stone, and on the stone a new name” (Revelation 2:17). Like Jacob, we will also be given the name of God–Rev. 3:12 “I will write on him the name of my God”–and we will receive Jesus’ new name: “And I will write on him My new name” (see also Rev. 19:11-16).

So what’s in a name? When God gives it–plenty!

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