Sarah - Her Life And Times

Sarah - Her Life And Times

NAMES

In Bible times names had a significance they often do not have today. The names that the mothers and fathers of these times gave to their children give us a glimpse into their personal experience, sometimes reflecting their emotional responses to a situation. When Sarah was ninety years old, God told her that she and Abraham would finally have the child for whom she had longed. She could hardly believe it! “After I am worn out and my master is old, will I now have this pleasure?” she exclaimed (Genesis 18:12). When her son was born, Sarah named him Isaac, which means “He Laughs,” and she said, “God has brought me laughter, and everyone who hears about this will laugh with me” (Genesis 21:6).

Perhaps one of the Bible’s most poignant scenes is played out when Rachel, in great pain and knowing she was dying, named her son Ben-Oni, meaning “Son of My Trouble.” But Jacob, the child’s father, loving this little one even in his sorrow, renamed him Benjamin, “Son of My Right Hand” (Genesis 35:16 – 20). When Hannah’s son was born, she named him Samuel, which sounds like the Hebrew for “heard of God,” because God had heard her cries for a child (1 Samuel 1:20). Many of the Old Testament prophets had names that spoke of their mission: Isaiah’s name means “The LORD Saves,” Obadiah’s name means “Servant of the LORD,” Nahum’s name means “Comfort,” and Malachi’s name means “My Messenger.”

Throughout Scripture, God gives to his people names that offer a picture of their significance and worth to him. We are his “treasured possessions” (Exodus 19:5; Malachi 3:17), the “people of his inheritance” (Deuteronomy 4:20), and “sons of the living God” (Hosea 1:10). We are his “friends” (John 15:15). No matter what your given name, God knows it. In love, he calls you to him by your name, and you belong to him (Isaiah 43:1).