I learned something new this week about the genealogy list in Gen. 5. Look for a moment at the names and their meanings:
Adam–man
Seth–appointed
Enosh–mortal
Kenan–sorrow
Mahalalel–the blessed God
Jared–to come down
Enoch–teaching
Methuselah–his death shall bring
Lamech–the weary
Noah–rest.
Put that together and, as you are reading the genealogy you are reading a prophecy about the coming Messiah: A Man appointed mortal sorrow, the Blessed God, come down teaching, “and” His death shall bring the weary rest. I was like, “Wow! Pretty neat!”
We know that names often revealed character in the Bible, but it’s interesting to me how many times God changed a person’s name–thereby, changing their identity…and their character!
The name “Jacob” means “supplanter or deceiver”. He grew up being called a liar, and it became a part of his personality. He lived his whole life according to his name, and his calling. But, jump ahead to His encounter with God. As he is wrestling with the angel, the angel asks him his name.
“Jacob,” he answered. Then the Man said, “Your name will no longer be Jacob[liar], but Israel[prince with God], because you have struggled with God and with men and have overcome.” Gen. 32:24-28
In Hosea, we read that as Jacob “struggled with the angel and overcame Him; he wept and begged for His favor.” Hos. 12:4 When the angel asked him for his name, he wasn’t simply answering a question, he was responding with the realization of who he was: a liar, a deceiver, a supplanter….this is who I am. But…..God changed his name!!!! He was no longer a liar but a prince with God!
Look ahead to Abraham. The name Abram means “exalted father”, yet had no children. God changed his name to Abraham, which means “father of multitudes”. He was married to a woman named Sarai, which means “contentious one.” Doesn’t sound like she’d be enjoyable to live with, does it? Could you imagine introducing yourself, “Hi, I’m contentious.” But, God changes her name as well, to Sarah, which means “princess of multitudes.” So, she goes from being a contentious wife to a princess! That’s a name change I can handle! God renamed them both, giving them both a new nature, calling and destiny.
Fast forward to the New Testament. This name changed excited me for some reason. We meet Simon when his brother Andrew brings him to meet Jesus.
“Looking intently at Simon, Jesus said, ‘Your name is Simon, son of John–but you will be called Cephas.‘(which means Peter)” John 1:42.
The name Simon means “broken reed”. I guess Jesus wanted Simon to know he could be depended upon because He changed His name to Cephas, Peter, which means “a stone”. Later, he even told him “on this rock I will build my church….” Jesus did not see Peter as a broken reed, which could never support anything, but rather, as a rock, which would support His church! He called him according to his destiny. He gave him a new identity! Wow! That is truly awesome! But, what about you?
“I will also give him a white stone with a new name written on it, known only to him who receives it.” (Rev. 2:17)
The moment you believed on the name of Jesus, your identity was changed…your destiny was changed….He gave you a new name. You haven’t received the white stone yet, but you have received a new name. He has given you a new destiny…a new identity! He has changed the past.
This is evident in the life of Sarah. She laughed-actually, mocked-the angel who prophesied that she would have a son. But, how is she remembered?
“By faith Sarah herself received power to conceive, even when she was past age, since she considered him faithful who had promised.” Heb 11:11
Go back to Genesis. Sarah didn’t sound like she had much faith or believed God was faithful. But, she has her name written in the Hall of Faith!
What’s your new name? Usually, God renames someone with the Kingdom counterpart of their negative name. So, what were you? How did you call yourself? Learn the kingdom counterpart…and chances are….that’s your new name! No longer are you known as failure, but victor; not loser, but winner; not sinner, but saint! Insecure? NO! Confident! Self-centered? No! Focused on others! Harsh? No! Gentle! Whatever name you have called yourself by, and there are numerous ones, they were changed at the cross! Claim that name! Walk in it! And, never allow Satan to re-attach the old name tag! God looks at you and He sees the new name tag He has given you.