Upon reading this scripture it made me think about how God named us. And what do we do with the name he has given us? I also considered how God changed the names of different people in scripture, it was always for the betterment and promotion for Kingdom purpose. Throughout this message I want to look at the lives of different people and their interaction, overcoming adversity and walking in the fulfillment of their name. It’s food for thought, what does God say about you? Have you become who he called you to be? Has he changed your name?

Jacob

Jacob means deceiver, supplanter. He went throughout life deceiving others including his father Isaac, his brother Esau and father-in-law Laban. Yet he was a righteous man. In Genesis 32:22-32 we read the account of Jacob wrestling with a man. And Jacob declared he would not let go of him unless the man blessed him. (Verse 26) Then the man said, “Your name will no longer be Jacob, but Israel, because you have struggled with God and with humans and have overcome.” (Verse 28) So God changed his name to Israel because he wrestled with God and man, and He found him worthy to become a “Prince with God”. And God ordained Jacob to father the 12 tribes of Israel.

Naomi

I love the story of Naomi and Ruth. Naomi, whose name means “pleasant”, was from Bethlehem which means “House of bread”. She married Elimelech whose name means “my God is King”. While in Bethlehem of Judah they had two sons, Mahlon and Chilion. Mahlon means “invalid” which indicates weakness and it can also mean being in-valid or void, useless. Chilion means “pining” which indicates a wasting away or longing. Both son’s names reveal weakness and hopelessness in character.

When famine came to Bethlehem the family moved to Moab. Later Elimelech died and Naomi was left with her two sons. When they were grown, they married women from Moab. Then both of her sons died and Naomi returned to Bethlehem, Ruth accompanied her. In the meantime, Naomi grew bitter and chose to change her name.

She told the women in Bethlehem, “Do not call me Naomi; call me Mara, for the Almighty has dealt very bitterly with me.” (Ruth 1:20) God did not change her name! She did! Why? She had grown bitter toward God. He could not bless Naomi in the land of Moab. He needed to reposition her and remove all obstacles from her life. Both her sons were wimpy men and they could not provide the promised seed that would come through Ruth.

Ruth means “friendship or association”. She remained a friend and companion to her mother-in-law even when she became bitter. Ruth was married to Mahlon, the weak in-valid son. He had no future, no hope, no destiny, and he withered and died. Through the course of time and series of events, Ruth married Boaz, her kinsman redeemer. His name means strength. In essence, the Lord removed weakness and supplied strength. Through their union they produced a son named Obed and his name means “worshipper”. Obed’s grandson became King David who was a man after God’s heart and an incredible worshipper.

And the fulfillment of Elimelech’s name “my God is King” came through a pleasant and strong relationship in the land of the “House of Bread”. God redeemed that which was lost, and I believe Mara returned to Naomi after the birth of Obed. No longer was she bitter but rejoiced in the birth of her grandson.

Then Naomi took the child and laid him on her bosom and became a nurse to him. (Ruth 4:16)

Ichabod

Ichabod was the grandson of Eli the high priest. Ichabod’s father Phinehas and his brother were wicked priests who defiled the temple and the priestly anointing by acts of immorality. (1 Samuel 2:12 through 17, 22–25) Eli learned of the death of his two sons Phinehas and Hophni who on the same day died in battle. He also learned that the Ark of God was captured. Upon this news he fell over, breaking his neck and died. When Phinehas’s wife learned that the Ark was captured and the deaths of her husband, father-in-law, and brother-in-law, she went into labor. In her bereavement she named her son Ichabod saying, “The glory has departed from Israel”. After naming her son, she died. (1 Samuel 4:17-21)

Ahijah the son of Ahitub, Ichabod’s brother, the son of Phinehas, the son of Eli, the Lord’s priest in Shiloh, was wearing an ephod. But the people did not know that Jonathan had gone. (1 Samuel 14:3)

Ichabod means “inglorious and the glory has departed.” His older brother’s name is Ahitub which means “my brother is goodness”. According to scripture, the loss of the Ark of God was greater than his mother’s personal loss. Not only would her child be without parents and grandfather, but he would also be without God. Perhaps she felt all hope was gone. Although the women urged her to change her mind (1 Samuel 4:20) she paid them no attention. She was making a strong statement for Israel yet in eternity God had already redeemed his name through his elder brother.

Benjamin

And so it was, as her soul was departing (for she died), that she called his name Ben-Oni; but his father called him Benjamin. (Genesis 35:18)

After giving birth to her second and last son, Rachel cried out in anguish and named him Ben-Oni which means “son of my sorrow”. However, I believe, although Jacob was grievous over his wife’s death, he rejoiced in the birth of his son and sought eternal value. Knowing this would be his last child, immediately he renamed him Benjamin. His name means “son of my right hand”. Benjamin would become like a staff or support to Jacob especially in his old age after the loss of Joseph. If his name remained Ben-Oni, Jacob would be reminded of Rachel’s painful childbirth and death. But by changing his name, Jacob prophesied Benjamin’s promise of destiny and strength.

 Esther, Daniel, Peter

A few others that come to mind and I find them interesting are Esther, Daniel and Peter. Each of these biblical characters had a name change. Hadassah’s Hebrew name means “myrtle” and represents peace and joy. After many months of preparation Hadassah would be known as queen Esther. Esther means “a star” and she became a beacon of hope to save the Jews from annihilation. For this star rose to prominence and shined brightly to deliver her people.

Daniel means “my God is Judge”. When he was taken into Babylonian captivity his name became Belteshazzar which means “may Bel protect his life”. Although Daniel lived most of his life in captivity, he never bowed a knee to the Babylonian gods. He knew that his God would protect him not the pagan god Bel. Although he would be persecuted and even thrown into the lion’s den, he remained steadfast to his birth name knowing that God is his judge. And God judged favorably in Daniel’s defense.

Peter’s given name was Simon and he seemed to be the first of many things. He was the first to be called as a follower, first to be mentioned among the disciples and first at the resurrection. But most importantly Jesus asked him a question that transformed his life. He said, “Who do you say I am?” (Matthew 16:15) Peter confessed Jesus to be the Messiah, the son of God. On this confession Jesus renamed Simon, Cephas (in Aramaic) or Peter meaning “the rock” (in Greek). Simon means “God has heard” and I believe Simon’s voice was heard. However, Peter became the rock of the disciples, and he challenged many people by standing on the Rock of his salvation, Christ Jesus.

On the Day of Pentecost Peter lifted up his voice and declared the words of the prophet Joel saying, “Men of Judea and all who dwell in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and heed my words. It shall come to pass in the last days, says God, that I will pour out of My Spirit on all flesh, your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your young men shall see visions, your old men shall dream dreams. (Acts 2:14&17) This was the beginning of Peter’s ministry, and his voice is still heard today.

What’s Your Name?

I find it interesting to see how God named each of these biblical characters. For some, man or circumstance changed their name at birth. For others He renamed for them to fulfill their destiny in Him. Look at Abram and Sarai! When he was 99 years old God changed his name to Abraham and his wife to Sarah. God made covenant with him and called him to be the father of many nations. And for Sarah, He would open her womb and she would bear a son and she would be known as the mother of nations. (Genesis 17:1-5, 15-16)

Has God changed your name? He named each one of us in eternity. Like Ichabod, God knew his mother would make a plea for her beloved Israel through his name. However, his birth name was a constant reminder that God’s glory departed from them. But God’s plan was already in place.  By her naming her elder son Ahitub it released a blessing to Ichabod. Perhaps God will call you by another name. Perhaps it relates to a new season in your life to fulfill His plan and purpose. Be open to receive a new name. But even if you don’t, make sure to fulfill the purpose He has called you to.

Whatever one is, he has been named already, for it is known that he is man; and he cannot contend with Him who is mightier than he. (Ecclesiastes 6:10)