Our current culture often times will view names of people non-associatively to any part of the persons characteristics. We name children based on the sound of the name... or whatever name is deemed popular at the time.
Names by definition is a way of identifying behavior, function and or purpose. Our names should point to who we are in behavior and purpose and who we are in function. The Bible is a great book to study names relating to these items (behavior, purpose and function).
Did you realize that GOD has a name for you... A name specifically with you on the very mind of GOD... That name my friends came about during some milestone event in your Christian walk..
Rev 2:17
'He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes, to him I will give some of the hidden manna, and I will give him a white stone, and a new name written on the stone which no one knows but he who receives it.'.
Let us continue with establishing our lesson..
Gen 32:27
[The Man] asked him, What is your name? And [in shock of realization, whispering] he said, Jacob [supplanter, schemer, trickster, swindler]!
Jacob's behavior was one of being manipulative, a con artist, someone not to be trusted, this was Jacob's behavior and therefore this was Jacob's name.
However Jacob encountered his destiny one day... GOD had chosen Jacob, called him to be the agent to bring Israel into being... Yes destiny.. predestination... The WORD of the LORD came true concerning Jacob..
Rom 9:10
And not only that, but this too: Rebecca conceived [two sons under exactly the same circumstances] by our forefather Isaac,
Rom 9:11
And the children were yet unborn and had so far done nothing either good or evil. Even so, in order further to carry out God's purpose of selection (election, choice), which depends not on works or what men can do, but on Him Who calls [them],
Rom 9:12
It was said to her that the elder [son] should serve the younger [son]. [Gen. 25:21-23.]
Rom 9:13
As it is written, Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated (held in relative disregard in comparison with My feeling for Jacob).
Through Jacob, Israel was born...and ..THUS... a name change.
Gen 32:28
And He said, Your name shall be called no more Jacob [supplanter], but Israel [contender with God]; for you have contended and have power with God and with men and have prevailed. ]
Jacob was no more..!!! His behavior in the past was not just forgiven but also forgotten... Why..., Past behavior no longer applied to Him.. new behavior gets a new name....."contender with God]; for you have contended and have power with God and with men and have prevailed"..
Abram became Abraham, the Father of many nations, identifying purpose and function... What caused the name change.. , At the point He believed GOD..
Gen 17:1
WHEN ABRAM was ninety-nine years old, the Lord appeared to him and said, I am the Almighty God; walk and live habitually before Me and be perfect (blameless, wholehearted, complete).
Gen 17:2
And I will make My covenant (solemn pledge) between Me and you and will multiply you exceedingly.
Gen 17:3
Then Abram fell on his face, and God said to him,
Gen 17:4
As for Me, behold, My covenant (solemn pledge) is with you, and you shall be the father of many nations.
Gen 17:5
Nor shall your name any longer be Abram [high, exalted father]; but your name shall be Abraham [father of a multitude], for I have made you the father of many nations.
Whoa...!!! Abraham was 99 years old when GOD made this promise..Now that took faith, and that is why we are called the sons of Abraham when our faith is realized and actualized ..when we have living faith.. relying on, trusting in and clinging to..JESUS..
Gal 3:7 Therefore, be sure that it is those who are of faith who are sons of Abraham.
Somewhere along the way.. your faith caused your name to change change....smile..
We know GOD based on are experience with GOD... We Know GOD on how He has manifested HIMSelf to us.. in behavior, Function and Purpose... Here is a list names for GOD...And, how GOD has shown HIMself strong in our lives..
Seven Redemptive Names of God
JEHOVAH-JIREH
"The Lord our provider" - This is also the name Abraham gave to the place where the Lord provided a sacrifice in place of Isaac. (Gen. 22:14).
JEHOVAH-NISSI
"Our banner, a banner of love and protection" - Also the name Moses gave to the altar he built after defeating the Amalekites (Ex. 17:15).
JEHOVAH-SHALOM
"Our perfect peace" - Also the name Gideon gave to the altar he built at Ophrah (Judges 6:24)
JEHOVAH-TSID-KENU
"The Lord is our righteousness" - The name is applied to a future Davidic king who would lead his people to do what is right and thus bring peace (Jeremiah 23:6) and to the restored city of Jerusalem (Jeremiah 33:16). The name is possibly a play on the name of Zedekiah ("Righteous [is] the Lord") who reigned from 597 to 587 B.C..
JEHOVAH-SHAMMAH
"The One Who is with us everywhere for He is Omnipresent" - The Jerusalem of Ezekiel's vision (see Ezekiel 48:35 margin) was known by this name. Compare text at Isaiah 60:19-20 and Revelation 21:3.
JEHOVAH-SABAOTH
"The Lord of Hosts, our Protector." C.H. Spurgeon said this about the phrase "The Lord of Hosts:
The Lord rules the angels, the stars, the elements, and all the hosts of Heaven; and the Heaven of heavens is under His sway... [the Lord] is on our side -- our august Ally; woe unto those who fight against Him, for they shall flee like smoke before the wind when He gives the word to scatter them." See text at Psalm 46:7.
JEHOVAH-RAAH
"Our Shepherd Who tenderly leads us, loves us and will keep us safe." - the famous Psalm 23 tells us that "The Lord is our Shepherd and we shall not want...." Being illustrated as a shepherd implies a relationship with His sheep (His believers). The term shepherd appears approximately 80 times in the Scriptures, denoting meanings of: feeder, keeper, companion, friend, pastor and herdsman
