Name That Place

Name That Place

The LORD came down in a cloud and stood there with [Moses]; and he called out his own name, Yahweh [the Lord].

Exodus 34:5

Names of people and places are an interesting study. And that is more than true in Louisiana where I used to live. We lived in Monroe, which the locals call “MUN-row,” but outside Louisiana, it is called “mun-ROW.” We had a family in the church named Heber, which they pronounce “HE-bur.” If you drive south a few hours toward New Orleans (“Newawlins”), their name is pronounced with the French influence: “AY-bare.”

In Texas there’s a small town named Mexia, which the locals call “ma-HEHR” but outsiders tend to pronounce the Spanish “May-HEE-ya.” One man was on vacation with his family, and they went to Mexia for a visit with family. He thought, This will be a good chance to help the kids learn the way to say Mexia correctly.

Coming into town, they stopped at a Burger King to eat before going to their relatives’ home. Now’s my chance, he thought. When the cashier delivered their hamburgers, he said to her, “Wait a minute, please. Before you leave, would you please tell my kids where we are? And I want you to say it very, very slowly. Pronounce it exactly as it is supposed to be pronounced.”

She looked rather puzzled and asked, “Really?”

He said, “Yes, please. Just say it very slowly.”

“Okay, if that’s what you want,” she said, shrugging her shoulders. Then turning to the kids, she said, “It’s Burrr-gurrr King.”

Yes, names are important. God himself wants people to know his name, “Yahweh,” and he carefully writes his children’s names in the Book of Life (see Revelation 21:27). The Bible also says that someday every person will bow down at the name of Jesus (see Philippians 2:10). So we can wear his name with honor.

Lord Jesus, we bow at your name and in your honor because we know your name is above all names. We praise your holy name! Amen.