I don't think I will ever cease to be amazed at some of the names that parents give their new born babies! While reading Ruth in today's Spoken Word Bible Reading Plan this became even more clear to me! Look at Ruth 1:1-2:
1 IN THE days when the judges ruled, there was a famine in the land. And a certain man of Bethlehem of Judah went to sojourn in the country of Moab, he, his wife, and his two sons. 2 The man's name was Elimelech and his wife's name was Naomi and his two sons were named Mahlon and Chilion; they were Ephrathites from Bethlehem of Judah. They went to the country of Moab and continued there.
First of all, Elimilech, whose name in Hebrew means: my God is King, takes his family out of the land of his King and his King's protection, into a foreign land. He had GREAT faith in his King, didn't he? Naomi means: pleasant, and comes from a word that means: agreeableness, delight, suitableness, splendor or grace! Then, when we see what they named their children, we wonder WHAT they could have been thinking! Mahlon means: sick, and comes from a root word that means: to be weak, sick, afflicted; and Chilion comes from a word that means: pining, destruction, consumption, failing. Seriously? It is no wonder that they died when they did! When God wanted to do something new with Abram and Sarai, He changed their names to reflect what He WANTED to happen! What do YOU want for YOUR children? NAME them accordingly! Name them for success and not failure! Give them a name that will encourage them to rise up and be the person that God desires for them to be! AMEN! AS born again believers, we ALL have a new name! We have been given HIS Name! John 16:23-24:
23 And in that day you shall ask me nothing. Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whatsoever you shall ask the Father in my name, he will give it you. 24 Hitherto have you asked nothing in my name: ask, and you shall receive, that your joy may be full. KJV
AMEN! Names are VERY important, and HIS is the most important of ALL! Here is Hillsong with "For Your Name":
Shalom in Him!
