Articles / Class Lessons
“What Name Do You Wear?”
We first read of Abram in Genesis 11. He was a person who demonstrated tremendous faith. Raised in Ur of the Chaldeans and living in Haran, Abram was told by God to depart from the familiar settings of home and go to a place of God’s choosing, Genesis 12.1-4. At the seasoned age of 75, Abram did as God commanded. Throughout Abram’s story in the biblical record we see a general upward progression in faith.
In Genesis 17 God changed Abram’s name to Abraham and Sarai’s name to Sarah. This is significant. In ancient times, a person’s name had a meaning attached to it. In Hebrew, Abram’s name meant “high father.” When God changed it, so did the meaning. Abraham means, “the father of a multitude.” Sarai meant, “my princess.” Changing the last letter from “i” to “h” changed her name to “princess.” She was to become a mother of nations. God changed their names as a pledge of His promise to make of them a great nation. By changing the names of Abram and Sarai, God associated them with Himself. The Hebrew language has no vowels. In Hebrew, the letters, YHWH, identifies the name of God. By adding the “h” to both their names, God inseparably tied Abraham and Sarah to Him. Adam Clarke surmises that God added “divinely given dignity” to both names.
What about us? God has promised His people today a new name, and by doing so He inseparably ties Himself to us. We wear the name of Christ, and it symbolizes our place in the family of God. The New Testament writers often referred to our adoption into Christ, Ephesians 1.5-6. Because of the blood of Jesus, we not only brought into the presence of God, we are now part of His family, wear His name, and rightful heirs of the majesty of heaven. We can now approach God, not as an unknown and unwelcome stranger, but with confidence and trust, because He is our Father. Let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need, Hebrews 2:16. Indeed God’s promise to Abraham did come to pass, and in you all the families of the earth will be blessed, Genesis 12:3.
Never forget who you are because of Christ. Never forget whose name you wear. Through the giving of His Son and the giving of His name, God has inseparably tied Himself to you. Always keep the knowledge of God’s special relationship with you in the front of your mind. When you do, you will have the strength to get through the valleys of life and look forward to the eternal rest of heaven.
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