Mike
08-29-2011, 01:19 PM
As I've stated in other posts, I'm somewhat new to the Bible. One thing that surprises me about it is the way names are used. These days, names aren't supposed to mean much. "A rose by any other name," etc. IE, you don't judge somebody based on their name. In the Bible, however, names are more than labels. They tend to describe people, or something about them. For instance, when Moses asked God how he should respond to people who ask for his (God's) name, God said "say unto the children of Israel, I AM hath sent me unto you."
Furthermore, in the Bible, a good name is seen as being very valuable. More valuable than great riches...
'A good name is more desirable than great riches.' - Proverbs 22:1
...or fine perfume.
'A good name is better than fine perfume' -Ecclesiastes 7:1
A good enough name can even get you laid! (pardon my Latin)
'Your name is like perfume poured out. No wonder the young women love you!' - Song of Solomon 1:3
According to the bible, a good enough name can make a person better than the angels.
'So he became as much superior to the angels as the name he has inherited is superior to theirs.' - Hebrews 1:1-4
You know who has a good name? God.
'And I will hope in your name, for your name is good.' Psalm 52:9
But it's not just good. It's great and awesome...
'Let them praise your great and awesome name.' Psalm 99:3
majestic...
'LORD, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth!' Psalm 8:1
mighty...
'No one is like you, LORD; you are great, and your name is mighty in power.' Jeremiah 10:6
fortified...
'The name of the LORD is a fortified tower.' Proverbs 18:10
long-lasting..
'Like your name, O God, your praise reaches to the ends of the earth' Psalm 48:10
'Your name, LORD, endures forever...' Psalm 135:13
Not to mention scary
'my name is to be feared.' Malachi 1:14
'From the west, people will fear the name of the LORD.' Isaiah 59:19
'The nations will fear the name of the LORD.' Psalm 102:15
In the Bible, it's like people want to fear God's name
"Teach me Your way, O LORD; I will walk in Your truth; Unite my heart to fear Your name' Psalm 86:11
That's the smart thing to do, they say.
"To fear your name is wisdom" - Micah 6:9
Frankly, it comes across like some kind of weird S&M thing.
'The apostles left the Sanhedrin, rejoicing because they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name.' Acts 5:41
People seem to care about the name. They pray for it like they are worried about it.
'For Your name’s sake You will lead me and guide me.' Psalm 31:3
'For they went out for the sake of the Name, accepting nothing from the Gentiles.' 3 John 1:7
'Help us, O God of our salvation, for the glory of Your name; And deliver us and forgive our sins for Your name’s sake'. Psalm 79:9
Seriously, people risk their lives for this name.
'Since we have heard that some of our number to whom we gave no instruction have disturbed you with their words, unsettling your souls, it seemed good to us, having become of one mind, to select men to send to you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul, men who have risked their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.' Acts 15:26
They spend all day honoring, revering and praising it:
'…honor the name...' Jeremiah 3:17
'…resolve to honor my name.' Malachi 2:2
'…revere my name.' Malachi 4:2
'…honored his name.' Malachi 3:16
'…revere your name.' Revelation 11:18
'…sing in praise of your name…' Psalm 61:8
'…praise God’s name in song…' Psalm 69:30
'…sing praise to his name...' Psalm 135:3
It's almost like God's name gets the credit for everything God does!
'that we may give thanks to your holy name.' Psalm 106:47
I don't think this is just reputation we're talking about. Names seem to be functional. At least God's name does. Apparently, it’s his name that saves people...
"Save me, O God, by your name' Psalm 54:1
scares people...
'…the heritage of those who fear your name.' Psalm 61:5
protects people...
'…may the name of the God of Jacob protect you' Psalm 20:1
tramples people...
'…through your name we trample our foes' Psalm 44:5
And if you ever need to have your horn exalted, you know where to turn!
'and through my name his horn will be exalted.' Psalm 89:24
The question isn’t what is his name, but where is his name? It comes from far away.
'Behold, the Name of the LORD comes from afar.' Isaiah 30:27
But wait, it's not far, it's near!
'We give thanks to You, O God, we give thanks, For Your name is near' Psalm 75:1
His name is in Israel. Great.
'in Israel his name is great.' Psalm 76:1
Wherever it is, you have to look for it.
'Cover their faces with shame, LORD, so that they will seek your name.' Psalm 83:16
Apparently, he shares his name with a house.
'‘Will you steal and murder, commit adultery and perjury, burn incense to Baal and follow other gods you have not known, and then come and stand before me in this house, which bears my Name, and say, 'We are safe'—safe to do all these detestable things? Has this house, which bears my Name, become a den of robbers to you? But I have been watching! declares the LORD.' Jeremiah 7:9-11
'Recently you repented and did what is right in my sight: Each of you proclaimed freedom to your own people. You even made a covenant before me in the house that bears my Name. But now you have turned around and profaned my name' Jeremiah 34:15
In order to live in the house, all you have to do is love the name.
'the children of his servants will inherit it, and those who love his name will dwell there.' Psalm 69:36
Now that's what I call a good name! But it's not just God's name. There's something going on with the Messiah's name also. Apparently, the Messiah can save people because of his name.
'Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.' Acts 4:11-12
It's the Messiah's name through which forgiveness comes.
'All the prophets testify about him that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.' - Acts 10:43
The Messiah's name is, allegedly, the word of God (whatever that means!).
'He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood, and his name is the Word of God.' Revelation 19:13
He isn’t the Branch, his name isn’t 'the Branch.' He isn’t named 'the Branch.' Nevertheless…his name is the Branch.
'Tell him this is what the LORD Almighty says: ‘Here is the man whose name is the Branch, and he will branch out from his place and build the temple of the LORD.' Zechariah 6:12
Finally, and maybe most surprising of all, is that at some point the Messiah is supposed to declare God’s name.
'I will declare thy name unto my brethren: in the midst of the congregation will I praise thee.' Psalm 22:22
'I will declare thy name unto my brethren, in the midst of the church will I sing praise unto thee.' Hebrews 2:12
What's the deal here? How could a name do all these things? Why would a name be so important? Why would anybody fear a name? How could a name be the word of God? Or a branch? What does that even mean? What do you suppose it means to "declare God's name"? How might that happen?
Any thoughts? Just wondering! :pop2:
"I have summoned you by name; you are mine."- Isaiah 43:1
Furthermore, in the Bible, a good name is seen as being very valuable. More valuable than great riches...
'A good name is more desirable than great riches.' - Proverbs 22:1
...or fine perfume.
'A good name is better than fine perfume' -Ecclesiastes 7:1
A good enough name can even get you laid! (pardon my Latin)
'Your name is like perfume poured out. No wonder the young women love you!' - Song of Solomon 1:3
According to the bible, a good enough name can make a person better than the angels.
'So he became as much superior to the angels as the name he has inherited is superior to theirs.' - Hebrews 1:1-4
You know who has a good name? God.
'And I will hope in your name, for your name is good.' Psalm 52:9
But it's not just good. It's great and awesome...
'Let them praise your great and awesome name.' Psalm 99:3
majestic...
'LORD, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth!' Psalm 8:1
mighty...
'No one is like you, LORD; you are great, and your name is mighty in power.' Jeremiah 10:6
fortified...
'The name of the LORD is a fortified tower.' Proverbs 18:10
long-lasting..
'Like your name, O God, your praise reaches to the ends of the earth' Psalm 48:10
'Your name, LORD, endures forever...' Psalm 135:13
Not to mention scary
'my name is to be feared.' Malachi 1:14
'From the west, people will fear the name of the LORD.' Isaiah 59:19
'The nations will fear the name of the LORD.' Psalm 102:15
In the Bible, it's like people want to fear God's name
"Teach me Your way, O LORD; I will walk in Your truth; Unite my heart to fear Your name' Psalm 86:11
That's the smart thing to do, they say.
"To fear your name is wisdom" - Micah 6:9
Frankly, it comes across like some kind of weird S&M thing.
'The apostles left the Sanhedrin, rejoicing because they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name.' Acts 5:41
People seem to care about the name. They pray for it like they are worried about it.
'For Your name’s sake You will lead me and guide me.' Psalm 31:3
'For they went out for the sake of the Name, accepting nothing from the Gentiles.' 3 John 1:7
'Help us, O God of our salvation, for the glory of Your name; And deliver us and forgive our sins for Your name’s sake'. Psalm 79:9
Seriously, people risk their lives for this name.
'Since we have heard that some of our number to whom we gave no instruction have disturbed you with their words, unsettling your souls, it seemed good to us, having become of one mind, to select men to send to you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul, men who have risked their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.' Acts 15:26
They spend all day honoring, revering and praising it:
'…honor the name...' Jeremiah 3:17
'…resolve to honor my name.' Malachi 2:2
'…revere my name.' Malachi 4:2
'…honored his name.' Malachi 3:16
'…revere your name.' Revelation 11:18
'…sing in praise of your name…' Psalm 61:8
'…praise God’s name in song…' Psalm 69:30
'…sing praise to his name...' Psalm 135:3
It's almost like God's name gets the credit for everything God does!
'that we may give thanks to your holy name.' Psalm 106:47
I don't think this is just reputation we're talking about. Names seem to be functional. At least God's name does. Apparently, it’s his name that saves people...
"Save me, O God, by your name' Psalm 54:1
scares people...
'…the heritage of those who fear your name.' Psalm 61:5
protects people...
'…may the name of the God of Jacob protect you' Psalm 20:1
tramples people...
'…through your name we trample our foes' Psalm 44:5
And if you ever need to have your horn exalted, you know where to turn!
'and through my name his horn will be exalted.' Psalm 89:24
The question isn’t what is his name, but where is his name? It comes from far away.
'Behold, the Name of the LORD comes from afar.' Isaiah 30:27
But wait, it's not far, it's near!
'We give thanks to You, O God, we give thanks, For Your name is near' Psalm 75:1
His name is in Israel. Great.
'in Israel his name is great.' Psalm 76:1
Wherever it is, you have to look for it.
'Cover their faces with shame, LORD, so that they will seek your name.' Psalm 83:16
Apparently, he shares his name with a house.
'‘Will you steal and murder, commit adultery and perjury, burn incense to Baal and follow other gods you have not known, and then come and stand before me in this house, which bears my Name, and say, 'We are safe'—safe to do all these detestable things? Has this house, which bears my Name, become a den of robbers to you? But I have been watching! declares the LORD.' Jeremiah 7:9-11
'Recently you repented and did what is right in my sight: Each of you proclaimed freedom to your own people. You even made a covenant before me in the house that bears my Name. But now you have turned around and profaned my name' Jeremiah 34:15
In order to live in the house, all you have to do is love the name.
'the children of his servants will inherit it, and those who love his name will dwell there.' Psalm 69:36
Now that's what I call a good name! But it's not just God's name. There's something going on with the Messiah's name also. Apparently, the Messiah can save people because of his name.
'Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.' Acts 4:11-12
It's the Messiah's name through which forgiveness comes.
'All the prophets testify about him that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.' - Acts 10:43
The Messiah's name is, allegedly, the word of God (whatever that means!).
'He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood, and his name is the Word of God.' Revelation 19:13
He isn’t the Branch, his name isn’t 'the Branch.' He isn’t named 'the Branch.' Nevertheless…his name is the Branch.
'Tell him this is what the LORD Almighty says: ‘Here is the man whose name is the Branch, and he will branch out from his place and build the temple of the LORD.' Zechariah 6:12
Finally, and maybe most surprising of all, is that at some point the Messiah is supposed to declare God’s name.
'I will declare thy name unto my brethren: in the midst of the congregation will I praise thee.' Psalm 22:22
'I will declare thy name unto my brethren, in the midst of the church will I sing praise unto thee.' Hebrews 2:12
What's the deal here? How could a name do all these things? Why would a name be so important? Why would anybody fear a name? How could a name be the word of God? Or a branch? What does that even mean? What do you suppose it means to "declare God's name"? How might that happen?
Any thoughts? Just wondering! :pop2:
"I have summoned you by name; you are mine."- Isaiah 43:1