The angel asked, “What is your name?” . . . the man answered, “Jacob”. The angel told him, “Your name shall no longer be Jacob, but Israel” (Gen 32:27, 28). By answering that his name was Jacob, he labeled his lifelong character. His mother Rebecca named him Jacob or supplanter because at birth he was clinging to the foot of his twin brother as if to supplant or displace him. The name supplanter implied he would be a schemer always attempting to overtake others even by treachery. This proved true throughout his life. The angel asked his name because the Lord wanted Jacob to acknowledge he was a supplanter. After he did, the Lord gave him a new name, Israel. This name means “He who prevails with God.” Some lexicons define it “Triumphant with God.” Israel would be the name of the nation that arose from his descendants. Naomi in the Book of Ruth changed her own name to reflect her painful experiences of fleeing with her family to land of Moab during a famine in Israel. While there both her husband and two sons died. She said to them, “Do not call me Naomi; call me Mara, for the Almighty has dealt very bitterly with me (Ruth 1:20). Naomi means beautiful and Mara means bitter.
Names in the Bible could relate to something about an event close to conception or birth. Other times parents chose a name based on acts or attributes of the Lord or a prophetic revelation about the destiny of the child. Like Jacob, God changed people’s name establishing a new identity reflecting the person He intended them to become. In the modern western society, parents simply choose a name they like or a grandparent’s name, and then the child spends the rest of life attaching meaning to it. Our name becomes a label of our identity expressing the characteristics, qualities, reputation, and experiences people associate with us. “Please don’t tell me Matt is coming. He is so rude.” “I can’t wait to see Uncle Joe; he’s nice and makes me laugh.” My dad drummed into me that your name is the only thing you truly own so we must keep a good name. Solomon wrote, A good name is to be more desired than great wealth (Pro 22:1). A good name is better than a good ointment (Ecc 7:1). He also wrote, But the name of the wicked will rot (Pro 10:7).
An essential element in our identity centers on the personal label we attach to our name. In other words, does how I see myself truly characterize the person God made me or do I label my identity on the world’s standard. Statistics show that 85% of the world’s population has a low self-esteem. More than 90% of mid-teen girls hate some part of their body and want it changed. An article I saw this week addresses how advertisers utilize Photoshop and create an unrealistic standard of unattainable beauty. They are putting forth an identity impossible to produce and anything less makes you a failure.
For all believers the most important standard for ascribing a label to our name should correspond to the label God has for us. The Bible records the positive identities we receive in Christ. Instead of a worthless nobody, we are a new creation; God’s workmanship; fearfully and wonderfully; a chosen race and a royal priesthood. Instead of constant guilt for failure never pleasing people or God, we are justified by faith; have peace with God; holy; free of condemnation. This list could continue with more than a hundred more characteristics. These are how we should be labeling our name by telling ourselves who we are in Christ and striving for His standards.
The word used for ‘name’ in the New Testament not only identifies people’s identity and character but also represents the authority a person has. T he best example is the name Jesus. Peter and John going to the temple encountered a man lame from birth. The man wanted money, Peter replied “I do not possess silver and gold, but what I do have I give to you: In the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene—walk!” (Acts 3:6) and he walked. Paul tells us why. God highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name . . . the name of Jesus (Phil 2:10). Our prayers offered in the ‘name of Jesus’ produce results. Truly, truly, I say to you, if you ask the Father for anything in My name, He will give it to you (Jn 16:23). His name is our authority.
What goes through the mind of people when they hear your name? A lot depends of the label you attach to your name. The Holy Spirit has made you a new label. Wear it! Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come (2 Cor 5:17). Put on the new self (Eph 4:24). This includes those who have been believers for many years but you’ve allowed their label to be replaced.
Sustaining Word for the Week: Don’t let the world, other people, the devil, or your past label your name. Put on your new identity in Christ.