What’s in a Name

What is in a Name?

It is so interesting that in Hebrew understanding, Name = Your Character.  Even Abraham and Sarah got a name change which went along with that major change in their lives.  Revelation 2:17 “He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth [it].”  God is promising to all the Redeemed, a brand new name, which will reflect the Character that they formed throughout their life, so what is your name?  Is it time to change your Character right now, and attain to a much better name, an inspirational name – with the glorious ending, “Which is the son of God?” 

Now in Scripture, when you read down the long list of the Kings of Israel, and then Judah and Israel as two separate entities, there are two phrases that are often added to, or implied to, all Monarchs at the end of their rein, which sums up the type of ruler that they really were, which sort of sums up his reign, and they are either; Evil Kings who; “walked in the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat” or Good Kings which were viewed more in this light, “but he did [that which was] right in the sight of the LORD, like David his father.” 

Evil Kings making Evil Kingdoms, are often connected to “Jeroboam the son of Nebat” which is mostly always viewed as a passing severe condemnation, yet good Kings ruling in Righteousness and Justice, Serving and worshiping God, are invariably connected to King David, as being his son, and if one looks at Matthews Gospel, King David is invariably connected directly to Messiah Jesus Christ, and this then works backwards to King David, back to Abraham, back to Seth, then Adam, who is “the Son of God.”  So what is in a name, do you and I walk and live so this can be clearly stated, “But he did [that which was] right in the sight of the LORD, like David his father.”  So what’s in your name?  Are you a Jeroboam descendant or are you like “David your Father?”

Matthew 6:9-13 “After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.  Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as [it is] in heaven.  Give us this day our daily bread.  And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.  And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.”  Jesus while on Earth admonished us to acknowledge God as “Our Father in Heaven,” and then in Acts 3:22b “he raised up unto them David to be their king; to whom also he gave testimony, and said, I have found David the [son] of Jesse, a man after mine own heart, which shall fulfil all my will.”  King David’s ways were basically God’s ways, so is David your father, and this then makes God your “Heavenly Father?”  So what’s in a name?

 Wicked Kings often had this epitaph, 1 Kings 15:3 “And he walked in all the sins of his father, which he had done before him: and his heart was not perfect with the LORD his God, as the heart of David his father.”  We have this from Jesus, when confronted by puffed up, self-important, holy men; John 8:42-46 “Jesus said unto them, If God were your Father, ye would love me: for I proceeded forth and came from God; neither came I of myself, but he sent me.  Why do ye not understand my speech? [even] because ye cannot hear my word.  Ye are of [your] father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.  And because I tell [you] the truth, ye believe me not.  Which of you convinceth me of sin? And if I say the truth, why do ye not believe me?”  Yet again egotistical self-sufficient leaders were getting this title attached to them, in a slightly different wording, as they actually really “walked in the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat,” so what’s in a name? 

A follower of “The Way” is invariably called a “Christian” as they always talk about Jesus Christ, they live a life that is in total harmony with Jesus and Heavenly Principles, are “Born Again” of Spirit and Blood, they are “Adopted” into the Family of God, and are his children, God is their Father, through Abraham to Jesus to God himself, so what is your name?  What is in a name?  What do people connect you with, are you connected with Jeroboam the son of Nebat, or are you like David your father, clearly reflecting God, who is your Heavenly Father?  Galatians 3:16, 29 “Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He saith not, and to seeds, as of many; but as of one, and to thy seed, which is Christ.  And if ye [be] Christ’s, then are ye Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.”

So all the redeemed are “In Christ” through the renewing and redemptive powers that gives “New Birth,” but Paul in his writing invariably links us with Father Abraham as the father of the Redeemed, who is head of the family here on earth.  Galatians 3:29 MSG “That is, we are all in a common relationship with Jesus Christ. Also, since you are Christ’s family, then you are Abraham’s famous “descendant,” heirs according to the covenant promises.”  What is in a name, well if you are under the Famous name of Jesus, you are also part of the amazing Family of Abraham, and the Twelve Gates of the home of the Redeemed, are for his children, and named after them, what an amazing name to be under and protected by.

So “What’s in a name?” are you named under; “walked in the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat” or, “but he did [that which was] right in the sight of the LORD, like David his father.”  “What’s in a name?”