What’s In A Name?

And the Levites, Jeshua, Kadmiel, Bani, Hashabniah, Sherebiah, Hodijah, Shebaniah, and Pethahiah, said:
“Stand up and bless the LORD your God forever and ever!
‘Blessed be Your glorious name, which is exalted above all blessing and praise!
You alone are the LORD; You have made heaven, the heaven of heavens, with all their host, the earth and everything on it, the seas and all that is in them, and You preserve them all.
The host of heaven worships You.
[Nehemiah 9:5-6 NKJV]

What’s in a name? Our names are very important for each of us. We can become upset when others get the name wrong. That old expression “sticks and stones may break my bones, but names will never hurt me”, is an attempt to divert something we all understand to be true — calling someone by a derogatory name hurts.

Businesses, individuals, families, all set great store by their names, because they say something about who we are. Our Fellowship name was chosen because it clearly states to those who believe, whose we are.

Therefore it is also contained in the Scripture, “Behold, I lay in Zion a chief cornerstone, elect, precious, and he who believes on Him will by no means be put to shame. [1 Peter 2:6 NKJV]

Jesus is the name above all names, and the concept of names is a very important one to recognise, for when we come to know Him, we are each given a new name.

You shall be called by a new name, which the mouth of the LORD will name. You shall also be a crown of glory in the hand of the LORD, and a royal diadem in the hand of your God. [Isaiah 62:2b-3 NKJV]

The new name is Jesus Christ, for His Spirit resides within us. This is no mere philosophical point, but an actuality experienced by all who know Him by His name. Praying “in Jesus’ name” is the most powerful prayer there is, because His name is known and understood in the Underworlds.

Just look at the eight names mentioned in the book of Nehemiah and included above. How does knowing the meaning of the names inform your understanding of the scripture quoted?

1. Jeshua = Jehovah is salvation
2. Kadmiel = God is the ancient one
3. Bani = build, establish
4. Hashabniah = whom Jehovah regards
5. Sherebiah = Jehovah has scorched
6. Hodijah = my majesty is Jehovah
7. Shebaniah = increased by Jehovah
8. Pethahiah = freed by Jehovah

Each name is relevant and appropriate, magnifying God’s name ... and 8 signifies a new beginning ...

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God does not give us overcoming life: He gives life to the man who overcomes. In every case of tribulation, from gnats to the cruelty of the sword, we take the step as though there were no God to assist us, and we find He is there.

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