The importance of names is very significant in the Bible. On studying this matter, I got to know that a name is more than a word that is being called to someone; it has meaning, identity and even purpose. In numerous instances in the Bible, God demonstrated how the name of a person can be used to define his character or what He desires him/her to be. Therefore, names are not ordinary things that could be taken lightly.
In the first book of Genesis, it is clear that God assigned names on his own. He named the first man Adam, which means man or of the earth since God made of him the dust of the earth (Genesis 2:7, 19). This demonstrates that there was no random selection of names. God made woman and Adam referred to her as Eve which means mother of all living (Genesis 3:20). These are the names that justify the roles and identity that God gave them.
There were numerous occasions when God manipulated names of individuals since He intended to give them a new meaning. As an illustration, the name Abram was renamed Abraham meaning father of many nations (Genesis 17:5). The name of his wife was also transformed to Sarah, which meant princess (Gen 17:15). Another case was Jacob who was renamed by God as Israel, the name, which translates as he wrestles with God (Genesis 32:28). These changes of names depicted a change in their lives. Reading this, I realized that God knows more than what an individual is; He knows what he/she can be.
Names continued to have power even in the New Testament. God gave the name Jesus using an angel. The angel instructed Joseph to name the child Jesus since he will rescue his people out of their sins (Matthew 1:21). Jesus is a name which means The Lord saves. In Philippians 2: 9-10, the Bible indicates that God gave Jesus the name above all names and that all knees must bow before His name. This informs us that names may be able to have spiritual power.
The challenge of names is not only concerning identity; at times we are also reminded of the goodness of God through names. Indicatively, Hannah gave birth to a son named Samuel as a result of the prayer she made to God (1 Samuel 1:20). Samuel means “God has heard.” The novel demonstrates that names can be witnesses and reminders of faithfulness of God. We also learn that God told the prophet Hosea to name his children with symbolic names in order to teach Israel some valuable lessons (Hosea 1:2 11). This implies that names may also be applied in teaching and warning.
In other instances God renamed people since their previous names could not suit the purpose of God anymore. I got to know that God provides a new life, and also a new identity when He has provided us a new life. In the book of revelation 2:17, the bible refers to a new name that God will be giving to the people who conquer. This demonstrates that names are not irrelevant, not just in this world but in the world of eternity.
When I learned about this, I came to know that the name that we are given to can shape our lives. Parents are even to this day supposed to give names based on prayer, wisdom and understanding. We must not blindly assign names, as they may have content, tradition and even mysticism.
To sum up, the Bible states that names are powerful. They demonstrate identity, goal and even fate. Names were significant in the plan of God since the times of Abraham to Jesus. I think that God knows our names and He addresses us with love. Fear not, I have called you by name, I am your redeemer, I have redeemed you as Isaiah 43:1 explains, I have called you by name; thou art mine. This makes me feel comfortable because I am sure that God appreciates my name and my life.