Friday, July 11, 2008

What's in a name

After changing the name of my blog I've started on a journey to consider, "what is in a name". The Bible says, "A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches;"(Proverbs 22:1). These are powerful words.

I know that there have been several incidences in the Bible where someones name is changed. The first one I can think of is when God changed Abram's name to Abraham (Genesis 17:5), which means the father of many nations.

Another name change occurred in the New Testament with Peter(Matthew 16:18). He starts out named Simon, but then God changes his name to Peter, saying, "upon this rock I will build my church."

What about the MANY different names of God:

El - Means God, mighty, strong, prominent

Elohim - A plural noun, meaning more than two

El Shaddai - God Almighty, or God sufficient

Adonai - Lord, Master

Jehovah - Yahweh - Lord in our English Bibles, this is His covenant name

Jehovah-Jireh - The Lord will provide

Jehovah-Rophe - The Lord who heals

Jehovah-Nissi - The Lord our banner

Jehovah-M'Kaddesh - The Lord who sanctifies

Jehovah-Shalom - The Lord our peace

Jehovah-Elohim - LORD God

Jehovah-Tsidkenu - The Lord our righteousness

Jehovah-Rohi - The Lord our shepherd

Jehovah-Shammah - The Lord is there

Jehovah-Sabaoth - The Lord of hosts

El-Elyon - Most High

Abhir - Mighty One

Branch - The Branch

Kadosh - Holy One

Shaphat - Judge

El Roi - God of seeing

Kanna - Jealous

Palet - Deliverer

Gaol - Redeemer

Magen - Shield

Eyaluth - Strength

Tsaddiq - Righteous One

El-Olam - Everlasting God

El-Berith - God of the covenant

El-Gobhor - Mighty God

Zur - God our Rock

Yeshua - Savior

Exodus 3:13-14 And Moses said to God, Behold, when I come to the sons of Israel, and shall say to them, The God of your fathers has sent me to you, and they shall say to me, What is His name? What shall I say to them? And God said to Moses, "I AM THAT I AM."

After seeing the many names of God, I can see why God said to call Him, I am that I am. If you need anything, He is there for you! What are you going through in your life today? Look over the many names of God and find the one that most fits in with your needs.

For me, Jehovah-Nissi is the one that I need right now. It means, The Lord our banner. I need to know that He is my covering as I walk in my new calling as a writer. There are as many names of God as there are needs in our lives. If there's a name you want to call on today, I'd love for you to share it with me. :)

8 comments:

Kelly said...

I LOVE THIS POST - and all the names. Wow. I think today I will pick Jehovah-Rohi - Shepherd. I need someone to lead me, push me, give me a whack when I need it, feed me, take care of me completely. A Shepherd.

Who says "Whats in a name?" ALOT. Congratulations on your new blog name! And thanks for the truth for my journey. :-)

LauraLee Shaw said...

Beautiful! Love the meanings of these names. Love your name and your blog design.

Anonymous said...

Mine would have to be El-Roi, the God who sees me. Sometimes I just need to know that He is aware of the 'stuff' that is happening around me. It gives me great comfort to know, just like I'm sure my kids felt when I would they would say, "Watch me mom, watch me!" And I would say, "I see you."

Thanks for reminding us that we have a new name and sharing yours with us!

Melinda said...

Hi there! Since you came to visit me, it's only good manners to return the favor! It's a lovely place you've got here! :o)

Just a couple of weeks ago, for my 100th post, I listed 100 names of God with their scripture references. I think there is so much of God's character that you can learn from His names. Like Luann, my favorite is El Roi. I love that He not only sees me in my circumstance, but He sees IN me as well. There is so much comfort in knowing that nothing lurks in the shadows with God.

Joyfully,
Melinda

Joyful said...

Thanks for directing me over here - I love how God had both of us considering Him today.

I'm so thankful that God has revealed Himself to me as "I AM". He's not, "I was" or "I will be", but He's my portion for today - and He's more than enough.

Blessings,
Joy

Anonymous said...

Hi there,
I just came here after reading your comment on Joy's blog.

Interesting that your post name was called "what's in a name." I am looking at that at my blog, as well, but maybe from a differnet perspective?

Come by and check it out. I think I now have 4 posts (numbered) in this series, and probably more to come.

I will be back to see more... I love your writing and research you put into this post!

God bless,
Heather

Amy Jo said...

Beautiful, Sonya! Thanks for writing this. I'm actually going to print it out. Praying God's sweet and abundant blessings upon you, your family and your writing ministry! Love, Amy

Bonita said...

First, let me say that your new blog is so beautiful! I love the color! I'm so excited to see you embracing God's call so willingly and wholeheartedly. And I feel incredibly honored to have my blog listed under blogs that inspire!

Isn't it great that God went out of His way to show us that no matter what we need, He's it? The name that intrigues me most right now is Zur. I'd never heard that one before, at least not as "Zur", but God has really been speaking to me a lot lately about stones and rocks so that is the one that sticks out for me.

I'm so excited to read the things you post on your new blog and see what God does!