What's In A Name?

But now, this is what the LORD says--He who created you, O Jacob, He who formed you, O Israel: "Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are Mine.”  -Isaiah 43:1

What’s in a name?  In ancient Hebrew culture, what you were named as a baby would reveal your purpose in life. 

In the story of Elijah the prophet, Elijah is sent to Ahab and Jezebel, who were worshippers of the false god Baal to warn them and tell them to turn back to the God of Israel. In I Kings 16:33 it says, “Ahab also made an Asherah pole and did more to arouse the anger of the LORD, the God of Israel, than did all the kings of Israel before him.” 

Elijah’s name meant, “My God is the Lord”.  So, literally, if Elijah’s parents called him in from playing outside as a young boy, they would say, “My God is the Lord, time for dinner!”

It sounds funny, doesn’t it?  But in the Hebrew culture, you knew who you were and what you had - from birth.  In our culture today, we’re privileged if we ever figure out our purpose - it’s now considered normal to have a mid-life crisis at age 40 because we do not know!

Since Jezebel and Ahab had decided to worship Baal, even Elijah’s name was in direct opposition to what they stood for.  And it made them angry!  But, God fulfilled His purposes through Elijah, the only prophet during that time who was not killed.  God showed up in a big way!  (1 Kings 18)

But even though we do not live in Biblical times, our names still have significance today.

Sindy was a porn star who went into the porn industry at a young age.  She describes her journey falling into porn and how the enemy had tricked her into believing she was named Sindy because “she was meant for sinful things.” 

However, once she realized she had been lied to, she cried out to God to give her a new name. “God, Give me a new name – I don’t want to be called SIN anymore!” she said.

“And GOD answered gently to me: ‘You never have been, Sindy! SINDY contains two letters more: DY-DIE - SIN HAS TO DIE!!! – Sindy, you are called FREEDOM!’”
 
What does your name mean?  What does it reveal about God’s plan for your life?  God has called us out by name, so that His purposes can be revealed through our lives.

(Read Sindy’s full story at http://thepinkcross.org/pinkcross-articles/december-2011/sindy-escapes-porn-and-sex-work)