The Father's Menu

The Father's Menu

Apostle Dr. Richard Udoh

Monday, January 15, 2024

THE ESSENCE OF NAMES

The ability to name things is indeed a unique and powerful aspect of human cognition. In various religious and philosophical traditions, there is a recognition of the significance of naming. the book of Genesis describes Adam giving names to all the animals, emphasizing his dominion over them. Naming is a fundamental part of human language and communication. It allows us to categorize, understand, and convey information about the world around us. The act of naming can also be seen as a form of empowerment, as it signifies a level of control and understanding over our environment.

The Bible highlight a recurring theme where names are not just labels but hold significant meaning and can shape the destiny or characteristics of individuals. In the case of Jacob and Esau, Jacob's name itself means "supplanter" or "heel-catcher," and his actions throughout his life seem to align with the meaning of his name. He supplanted Esau's birthright and later obtained his father's blessing through cunning means. Similarly, with Nabal, his name means "fool," and Abigail, in her plea to David, suggests that Nabal's actions and character are in line with the negative connotations of his name. This implies that there is a perceived connection between a person's name and their nature or behavior in these biblical narratives. (Genesis 27:36, 1 Samuel 25:25).

In Hebrew thought, names are inextricably bound to existence; nothing exists unless it has a name. The very essence of a thing is concentrated in its name. Hence, creation was not complete until Adam had named all the creatures. To cut off a person's name is to end his existence. In essence, the ability to name is a powerful cognitive tool that has played a significant role in shaping human culture, knowledge, and understanding of the world.

Prayer:

Father, I disconnect myself from any negative name I may have called myself either as a nickname or from childbirth, I declare my new name as Hephzibah and the Lord takes delight in me in Jesus name, Amen.

Further Reading:

Revelations 3:12 “The one who conquers, I will make him a pillar in the temple of my God. Never shall he go out of it, and I will write on him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, the new Jerusalem, which comes down from my God out of heaven, and my own new name.”

2 Corinthians 5:17 “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.”

Read through the bible in 1 year: Genesis 31:17-32:12 Matthew 10:24-11:6 Psalm 13:1-6 Proverbs 3:16-18

Read through the bible in 2 years: Gen 24-25.11 & Ps 15