Everyone and everything is known by a name. Most times names of objects are just arbitrary words that different languages have assigned that thing. For instance, it does not matter whether a pencil is called “lapiz” or pencil it is still a pencil. Similarly our names may be completely unrelated to who we are. Our parents may have picked our name at random because it sounded pretty or because it was the name of a former relative, etc. Our last names hold meaning only because they show which family we belong to, and sometimes this does not even suffice to create meaning because two completed unrelated people could have the last name of Smith. But do these seemingly arbitrary name assignments to person or object have a deeper meaning? Do our names determine in any way who we are, how we react to each other? Does not everyone want to be known by his or her name?
I began to think about the importance of names as I read through passages in Genesis and Exodus discussing God's covenants with Abraham and the nation of Israel I was struck by the naming and renaming that continuously took place. When Abraham was still called Abram God asked him to leave his country, relatives, and fathers family behind and go into the "land I will show you." This land had no name, because Abraham had no idea what his destination was to be. This lack of a name led to uncertainty and forced Abram into faith. When God saw the faith of Abram He made a covenant with Abram, which resulted in a new name, Abraham. This name means “the father of many nations.” Then the name comes to serve as a reminder to all of God’s promise. Similarly, Sarai was given a new name, Sarah, to serve as a reminder of God’s blessing. Later, when God tested Abraham’s faith He had Him lead Isaac to a nameless place on the mountains of Moriah to sacrifice Him. However, Abraham demonstrated His willingness to sacrifice His son the Lord provided another sacrifice. Abraham then named the place as a reminder calling it Yawweh-Yireh (which means “the Lord will provide”). Therefore, a name though, whether arbitrary or not, seems to have significant meaning.
In our lives if we do not know someone’s name it demonstrates that we know little to nothing about that person or who they are. Likewise it is important to us that someone knows our name; it makes us feel wanted or appreciated. When our name is forgotten or mispronounced we may feel unimportant. Also, like Abraham and Sarah our names change with significant events in life, or a name that held no meaning before may come to stand for something substantial. For instance, when a woman gets married she takes the name of her husband signifying her knew covenant with him. When someone has children they all of a sudden inherit the name mother and father. When someone grows older they no longer go by their first name, but are referred to by the younger generation by their title (mr, mrs, ms) and their last name. When someone receives their doctorate degree they then have dr. attached to their name. In many cultures, including our own, this changing of names causes confusion. For instance, at what age do you stop referring to adults by their last name and begin addressing them informally? Does one always refer to a doctor with their title?
In addition to the confusion that can be caused by names, it has been shown that the name of a thing can influence someone’s behavior. I recently read a research article where the writer discovered that fires were more likely to be stated around gasoline drums labeled “empty” than those that were labeled full, simply because of the label. People were more careless around the empty drums even if they knew that the empty drums were harmless.
If this is the case and names affect how we react to something or someone, does the name we give God influence how we see Him? God seems to have an infinite number of names. Hagar in Genesis refers to Him as Berrlahairoi “the Living One who sees me.” When the Lord address Abraham He says “I am El Shaddai” the God Almighty. When Moses asks “whom shall I say sent me” God says “say the I am sent you.” This name seems the most appropriate name for God because it seems that no matter what the situation God is what you need. God has a name for all situations. When you need someone to run to he is Abba Father, when you need a ruler He is the King of Kings…. He is an all-knowing, all-powerful creator who cannot be limited to one name.
All this to say that while at first glance a name may seem an arbitrary assignment to an object or person. However, names are much deeper. The lack of a name leads signifies uncertainty about that thing or person. Even if a name is know one may be uncertain how to use it. Also, giving something nameless a name gives that something significance. And a name, in itself, can determine or affect our behavior. I am so grateful to have a God with an unrestricted name who can do all things and be all things. I only have one name and am therefore limited in what I can do and achieve alone, but through God I can do all things.
