+DEV+ Behind The Name

Date: October 3, 2011 11:03 PM
Topic: +DEV+ Behind The Name

Behind The Name

"I will bow down toward your holy temple and will praise your name for your love and your faithfulness, for you have exalted above all things your Name and your word." (PSALM 138:2)
Scripture Focus: Genesis 17:1-5

Bible names carried much weight and often reflected the character or information about the person or place being named. Abram was given a new name by God - Abraham, "Father of many" (see Genesis 17:5). A name could hardly be more fitting! In 1 Samuel 7:12, Samuel set up a stone memorial to God's help and called it Ebenezer, meaning "stone of help." While not a popular name today, we find it in one of our great hymns, "Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing" where verse two says, Here I raise my Ebenezer/ Hither by Thy help I'm come (Robert Robinson, 1757).

The names God gives Himself in His Word echo His character. Through them, He personally reveals aspects of Himself, giving us a storehouse of His promises and character attributes. He is El-Shaddai, the "God Almighty" (Genesis 17:1). He is Jehovah-Jireh, "the Lord will provide" (Genesis 22:14). He is Jehovah-Tsidkenu, "the Lord our Righteousness" (Jeremiah 23:6). He is the Almighty God who provides righteousness for sinners through Jesus.

Insight: Intertwined Through All Of Scripture, From Genesis To Revelation, Is A Crimson Thread Of Redemption Always Pointing To Christ.