As a child, I had many names. My relatives called me “Imee” or “Emi”, the neighborhood kids called me “Aimee”, and then in school, I had my legal name. While everyone in school had a middle name, I just had another surname. There was a custom when I was born that combined parents’ names to form their child’s name. I was so glad I wasn’t named “Zafra” as my dad wanted. But if I was, then I would have been the only one with that name in high school instead of being one of three.
When my parents became citizens, they shortened their names to be more American than Spanish. After I got married, I could have changed my first name but I decided to just change my surnames. I think it was because of the stories of God giving Abram, Sarai, and Jacob new names. I was given my name by my parents and it reminds me of my family, culture, and where I came from..
God changed Abram’s name to Abraham which means ‘father of a multitude’ and Jacob’s name to Israel which means ‘God fights’. The new names were reminders of the promises God gave them.
Before God gave Jacob a new name, He asked, “What is your name?” God knew what Jacob did to get his father’s blessing. It is the first recorded identity theft. Jacob pretended to be his older brother and lied to his father.
I noticed that there are other name changes in the Bible. Daniel and his friends were given Babylonian names when they were brought into captivity, but Daniel seemed to have kept his name while his friends didn’t. I don’t remember their Hebrew names, just Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego.
Jesus gave Simon a new name of Peter. He gave two of His disciples, James and John, the nickname of ‘Sons of Thunder.” The apostles gave Joseph from Cyprus the nickname Barnabas because he was such an encourager.
As a Roman citizen, Paul had two names. He had a Jewish name, Saul to use in his Jewish community, and a Roman name, Paul which he started using around Gentiles.
I remember attending a Chinese Retreat during my college days. My name was not easy to pronounce so I was given a Chinese name that someone wrote on my name tag. It was just three characters that sounded out the syllables of my first name. I did not read Chinese (still don’t) but I was told it is a beautiful name.
Having a name that was easy to pronounce made it easier to get to know others at the retreat. Maybe that’s one of the reasons the neighborhood kids called me ‘Aimee”. That’s what it sounded like when my parents or brother called me. As I grew older and moved around, I’ve been called Amelia, Emily, and Hey You.
I can’t wait to know the new name God will give me in heaven.
Prayer
Dear Heavenly Father,
You know my name. Thank you for calling me to be a part of your family. Help me to honor Your name. Enable me to live a life worthy of Your calling so that You will be glorified.
In Your Son’s precious name, Amen.
Verses
Genesis 17:1-5,15; 27:18,19; 32:27,28
Daniel 1:7
Mark 3:17
Acts 4:36; 13:9
Revelation 2:17
Song
“You Changed My Name” by Matthew West
Call to action
If you have already prayed, looked up the verses in your Bible, and listened to the suggested song, then read the amazing story of Jacob starting at Genesis 25:19 and tell us your takeaways.