Hopefully, your name gives you a positive sense of personal identity. But, do you remember the names you were called when you in elementary school or college? Would you rather not mention some of them?
Names are significant because names so often alter the way in which you see yourself, and sometimes, how world sees you as well.
During a 2008 Valley Fellowship mission short-term trip, BIG SMILES ensued as these Gift Bags (with gifts inside!) were put into the hands of the orphans at Casa Angelina in Guatemala. Each child really noticed their own name. I think the personalized bag with a personalized gift increased each child’s sense of value.
A new name may be just the ticket to increase something’s value. Years ago, fisherman renamed a deep-sea fish in order to create a market for it. The fish didn’t change, just the name did. Apparently, “Orange Roughy” sells a whole lot better than “Slimehead”.
Maybe that’s why government contractors might want label a pencil as a “portable, hand-held communications inscriber”.
In Scripture, the choice of a new name was always significant. New names signaled something. Often, the new name became a tipping point, a crucial moment that changes everything in a person’s life.
Regardless of the treatment option, common sequelae include a slight extensor lag and a prominent bump on the dorsum of the finger. order cialis Drugs like find out address buy cheap viagrae prescribed by doctors to act as stimulants and increase the flow of blood to the sexual organs of the human body. A worry-free life is online viagra order a pre-requisite to a healthy sexual life. Fortunately, various types of medication are available which cures’ erection problem such cialis viagra sale , Kamagra, Silagra, Penegra, Apcalis etc. The new name might release power or blessing not previously enjoyed. An example is God’s change of childless Abram’s name to Abraham “Father of multitude”). Heavenly Father certainly has the right to change the name of one of His children. “To change someone’s name is to exercise authority over them and their destiny.” (The IVP Bible Background Commentary: Old Testament, p. 731) Every time someone called Abraham by his new name, Abraham was reminded of God’s promise. Abraham’s new name defines his destiny.
The new name might ease assimilation into a new culture and new society. Foreign names were occasionally adopted by loyal Hebrews. Hadassah is much better known by her Persian name “Esther”. When Jesus walked through Israel, many Jews had adopted Greek and/or Aramaic names.
The new name might transition loyalty from one to another. Babylon gave new names to the Judean exiles. Perhaps Nebuchadnezzar hoped to ease assimilation into the new society, but more like an attempt to turn them from their loyalty to Yahweh. The chief official Ashpenaz integrated the names of pagan deities into the new news for Daniel and his three friends. Their Hebrew names all contained references to the one true God. Daniel’s new name “Belteshazzar” contained “Bel” (Babylonian deity also called Marduk). Hananiah’s new name “Shadrach” connected to the moon god Aku. Mishael’s “Meshach” meant “who is what Aku is?” and Azariah’s “Abednego” referenced the second greatest Babylonian god Nabu. Much to Nebuchadnezzar’s chagrin, those four young men refused to dishonor their loyalties to the God of Israel.
The new name might express a new status. With his promotion to prime minister of Egypt, Joseph was given a new name by Pharaoh (Genesis 41:45). Upon her return Moab, the sour widow Naomi ( meaning “Pleasant”) wanted her friends in Bethlehem to call her “Mara” which means “Bitter” (Ruth 1:20).
The new name might also denote a new relationship with God. “Jacob”, the heel-grabbing deceiver, receives the name “Israel”. The hot-headed “Simon” is prophetically proclaimed the rock-solid “Peter”.
Is it time for new name in your life? Don’t accept any name that is less than God estimate of your value. Don’t let the label someone put on you limit what God wants to do in you and through you. What God thinks of you is far more important than any other person’s opinion. In school, you had to put up with people calling you names, but to hear the name God calls you requires you listen. Are you investing time – reading His Word and listening to His voice?
