When Abram was ninety-nine years old the Lord appeared to Abram and said to him, “I am God Almighty; walk before me, and be blameless…” (Genesis 17:1)
This question, “What’s in a name?” became familiar when first used in the Shakespearean tragedy Romeo and Juliet. Juliet expressed this phrase because Romeo’s family was in a feud with hers. But names do mean a lot and can carry weighty implications. It is generally the first thing we want to know about someone. On April 13 of this year, my husband and I welcomed our first great-grandchild. Everyone asked us what his name was, but his parents took three days to make the final decision. Colter David Overstreet carries the legacy of the Overstreet name.
When God called Himself “God Almighty” in Genesis 17:1, He was giving a description of His own self. This was His first revelation of Himself as El Shaddai. His name is a compound word, with “El” translated as “God” and “Shaddai” as a “mountain.” According to Charles Ryrie, the visual “pictures Him as the Almighty One standing on a mountain.” We are not to measure His power by our limitations, and God wanted Abram to know that He would accomplish His will.
Names are clearly important to God, as we saw in the continuation of the chapter. Abram receives a new identity as Abraham, the father of many nations. Sarai becomes Sarah as He promises to bless her with nations and kings who come after her out of the son she will bear. Throughout the Old Testament, we read of names and their meanings or even their destinies in the name.
Jacob becomes Israel after wrestling with God. God was redefining Jacob as Israel, which means “he strives with God. This was a paradigm shift for Jacob’s life, and the new name reflected that change.
A name can be an identity, but often is a purpose as well. Zechariah was told to name his son John, which was not a family name. John was to be the voice crying in the wilderness, preparing the way for the Savior, preaching repentance, and enacting baptism.
And how many names did Jesus have? Emmanuel, Prince of Peace, Savior, King of Kings, Holy One, Son of God, Son of Man, Lamb of God…
What’s in a name? Lots of things. This made me think about all the names Jesus gives us. Some of the names speak of identity, and some are adjectives of our lives. Here are just a few of them. Don’t read them quickly, but stay a few moments with each and reflect on your life as a:
Believer — Follower — Disciple — Image bearer — New creation — Saint — Son/Daughter — Friend — Living stone — Priest — Worshiper — Servant — Christian — Chosen — Faithful ones — Beloved — Holy people — Brother/Sister.
We can only claim these names because of what the Lord Jesus has done for us and in us. But the names can shape us as we live out our life journeys here. As you pray through this list, perhaps one more time, ask the LORD to remind you of your identity in Him and the adjectives of your life that show the hope you have to a world in desperation.
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; the new has come” (2 Corinthians 5:17).
Francie Overstreet
EFCC Member