We’ve Got it all Wrong — Names

We’ve got it all wrong.  Why do we refer to Daniel by his Israelite name, and his friends — Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego by their Babylonian names?   I just read the meanings of these names in a devotional recently (Days of Praise, from the Institute for Creation Research, August 8).  Daniel is a Hebrew name that means “God is my Judge.”  The Babylonians attempted to assign the name “Belteshazzar” to him, which gives credit to one of their false gods — “favored by Bell.”  Fortunately, that name didn’t “stick” for Daniel, and every child in VBS and Sunday School hears the glorious stories of Daniel, not of “Belteshazzar.”  So why don’t we do the same with the three friends?  Here is the meaning of their names:

• Hananiah (“Beloved of the Lord”) was changed to Shadrach (“Illumined by Rak,” the god of the sun)
• Mishael (“Who is as God?”) became Meshach (“who is like Shak,” the Babylonian Venus)
• Azariah (“The Lord is my help”) became Abednego (“Servant of Nego,” the god of fire)

It doesn’t make sense to me.  Why do we focus on the godless names?

It made me think about our own names, and about insecurities regarding what others think of us.  Our worth is not dependent on what others call us, or think of us, but on what God calls us.  He has even given us new names of love.  “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.  To him who overcomes, I will give some of the hidden manna.  I will also give him a white stone with a new name written on it, known only to him who receives it.”  Revelation 2:17

These “new names” surely reflect how God sees us, and what potential He has placed in each of us.  When our sins are forgiven, He sees us through grace and acceptance, so these names must indeed be very special and meaningful for each of us.

I am reminded of precious Michelle Tolentino, a formerly sponsored Compassion child.  She grew up believing she was not attractive, not important, not loved.  Then, through the letters of her sponsor, she began to see the love of Christ, and she began to believe and understand how very much God loves her.  She gave an excellent testimony when she visited this country the first time, and I’d like to share it with you on this special day of worship. Please listen to this beautiful young woman’s testimony of love, compassion, support and friendship.

Michelle has a very fruitful ministry of theater and drama today, but her worth and value isn’t tied up in what she is doing for Christ.  Her worth and value is tied up in Christ and what He is doing in and through her.  It is all about Him, not about us.  If you look at the Hebrew names above, you will see that He placed His name inside each of their names.  I think the special names He has for each of us will have His name connected with them in some way, too.  Won’t it be special when we hear Him call us by our new names?  Then we will know how He sees us, and how He’s been thinking about us from the very beginning.

I use the name “Compassion Juli” at times to reveal the fact that I’m a Child Advocate for Compassion International.  When our oldest son saw my blog, He said, “I get it now — your middle name really is ‘Compassion!’”  This was so special for me to hear, because I never realized he’d thought of me this way.

Wouldn’t you like to sponsor a child in the same way Michelle was loved and supported? You can do so today, by clicking this link. Sponsoring children through Compassion International gives them an opportunity to reach their full potential, to learn of God’s love for them, and to contribute to their society in the ways God intended for them to be a blessing.

Whatever name you have called yourself through the years, remember — God sees you in a completely different way. He loves you; He calls you by a new name, not by any name or reputation that has been given you by this world.

~ by Juli Jarvis on August 10, 2008.