What’s In A Name?

What’s in a Name?

Jezebel

Read: 1 Kings 21:1-16

“Everyone brings joy to this office—some when they enter, and some when they leave.” I smiled at the sign on the wall, but later, I did some serious thinking about which category I fit in. How do people feel when they see me coming—delighted or deflated? I wondered. Do they associate me with fun and laughter? pleasant conversation and warm friendship? Or do they think of complaining, bitterness, or self-centeredness when they hear my name?

Even people who haven’t studied the Bible know that a “jezebel” is wicked, shameless, or scheming. Although the name originally meant “chaste,” not even the dictionary contains enough adjectives to describe the evil that Jezebel perpetrated.

This woman committed treachery and murder on a whim. She dragged the country of Israel into degradation by installing her native cult of Baal worship with all its despicable practices, including self-mutilation, sexual immorality, and human sacrifice. Blessed with intellect and power, Queen Jezebel used all her resources to fight against the true God. Her evil infected her husband, her children, and an entire nation.

We may not be listed in the dictionary, but we all have a reputation of some sort based on the character we exhibit. When people hear our names, they automatically think of . . . something. The best way to make sure that our names have positive connotations is to live according to the wisdom found in God’s Word. If we pattern our lives after Christ’s example and treat others the way he did, we won’t be known as jezebels but as Jesus followers. That’s the best reputation anyone could hope for.

A good name is more desirable than great riches; to be esteemed is better than silver or gold.

Proverbs 22:1 (NIV)