Names
are powerful tools used to identify people. Names have meanings and your name
alone can fetch you some blessings in life. The first man God created was given
the name Adam, which means earthy; thus Adam was formed from the dust of the
ground, hence his name (Genesis 2:7). Your name depicts the beliefs of them
that gave you. Names given to children have consequences on them. Therefore
parents must be careful of the names they choose for their children; they
should not be blindfolded of its repercussions.
1 Chronicles 4:9-10
(NLT)
9 There was a man named Jabez who was
more honourable than any of his brothers. His mother named him Jabez because
his birth has been so painful.
10 He was the one who prayed to God of
Israel, “Oh, that You would bless me and expand my territory! Please be with me
in all that I do, and keep me from all trouble and pain!” And God granted him
his request.
Jabez
means sorrow or trouble. His mother gave him that name because of her belief,
but it took the guy to pray to invoke the blessings of God upon himself; and he
became more honourable than all his brothers.
God
changed the names of some people who walked with Him because of the weaknesses
that were found in the earlier names their parents gave them. God wished a new
identity for these people, hence the new names. Abram’s name was changed to
‘Abraham’ which means father of multitude
or many nations. When Abram met God, he was not biologically a father,
although he was an acting father of his clan. But God gave him the new name Abraham because of God’s desire for him;
that he will be a father of many nations!
Genesis 17:5
5 No longer shall your name be ABRAM,
but your name shall be ABRAHAM; for I have made you the father of a multitude
of nations.
Names
are powerful! Abraham is our fore father; we are all descendants of Abraham.
Indeed he has become a father of many nations. His wife Sarai’s name was changed to Sarah
which means Princess. Hitherto
her name Sarai meant My Princess. So
Sarai was only for Abram; she was Abram’s princess. But when Abram’s name was
changed to Abraham meaning father of multitudes, his wife would no
longer be his princess alone but the princess of the whole universe, hence the
name Sarah which means Princess.
Genesis 17:15
15 And God said to Abraham, "As
for Sarai your wife, you shall not call her name SARAI, but SARAH shall be her
name.
Lastly
let’s consider the last person among others whose name God changed – Jacob.
Jacob manipulated his brother to give him his firstborn birthright and deceived
his father, Isaac, to give him the firstborn blessing. Jacob means Supplanter; which means the one who take the place or position of
somebody by force. He had weakness in his name. No wonder he had to
manipulate his big brother and deceive his father for what belonged to his big
brother. When he met God however, his name was changed to Israel. The former name had some flaws and needed to be changed.
Genesis 32:28
28 Then he said, "Your name shall
no more be called JACOB, but ISRAEL, for you have striven with God and with
men, and have prevailed."
In
the culture that I find myself, when Christianity began in the seventeen
century, all those who converted into Christ were given new ‘Christian’ names.
Their traditional names were changed and they assumed new names. I think some
of these change of names were inspired by God, and it was a step in the right
direction because the meaning of some of the traditional names had a toll on
the progress of the individual. Thank God for change of name and the new
identity in Christ!
Before
God, whoever has converted to Christianity has his name changed from a sinner to a child of God. (John 1:12). He inherits a new identity. He becomes
a new creation with a new name (2 Corinthians 5:17).
This article is an excerpts from my book "
THE UNFAILING WEAPONS OF A BELIEVER"
Richard Adu Poku
Fb: https://www.facebook.com/richard.adu.poku45
Email: richardadupoku2045@gmail.com
