What’s in a Name?
Often times, we pour our mind and heart into choosing a name for something. Perhaps a new animal, business, chat group, or a new baby! A name symbolizes a lot! Our hopes, dreams, and fears…
In our reading today, God christens Abram with the new name Abraham meaning, “father of many nations.” Abram on the other hand means “God is exalted.” How do these two names differ? How do they compliment each other? Or let’s look at the names of the Old Testament Prophet Hosea’s children. God had given his children names that symbolized his displeasure with his people’s unfaithfulness and sin. His first child Jezreel, connotes violence and destruction, his 2nd Ruhamah means “no pity,” and his 3rd Lo-ammi means “not my people.” But alas, God’s mercy and love endures, and God desired to give his children new names to: he plants, divine compassion, and you are my people. Our Lord Christ’s name Jesus in Hebrew means “God saves.”
Names can symbolize positive and negative connotations. Thanks be to God, as members of the body of Christ – the church – we are all called child of God. Whatever your name may be – given or changed – you are always a child of God; loved, baptized, and redeemed.
Pastoral Intern Adam
