Author Darlene J. Conard

… “Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine.” Isaiah 43:1 KJV

Tosha Cobbs Leanard wrote a song titled, “You Know My Name.” The song reflects God’s desire to be intimate with us. Responding to His presence creates a strong bond.

What more could we want than God Himself calling us by name? It’s one of the most beautiful acknowledgments! So many sorrowful nights as tears streamed down my face, I could hear the Lord whisper my name. “Darlene, it’s going to be all right. Trust Me, I’m working it out.”

Abraham and Sarah were known as Abram and Sarai at first. (Genesis 12:10-20) Abram means, exalted father, and was the name given to him since he lived in Mesopotamia. After Abram fell into a deep sleep God revealed His plan to Him. Abram then became Abraham, which is a Hebrew name. His name then changed meaning, father of many nations.

He gave him a new name and so did Sarai. Sarari means, my princess but when God changed it to Sarah it had greater significance. Sarah which commonly translates to “chief”, “ruler” or “prince”. It is also related to the verb שָׂרָה‎, which is also the basis of the name Israel. In Modern Hebrew, Sarah (שָׂרָה‎) is the feminine form of the word for “minister”. 

Jacob means supplanter which means someone who takes another person’s place. Supplanting is a deliberate action of taking the throne. The Hebrew meaning, akab means catcher of the heel. Jacob received redemption after wrestling with an angel. Refusing to let go, he continued wrestling declaring, “I will not go until you bless me.” The angel asked him, “What is your name?”

“Jacob, “he replied.

Your name shall no more be Jacob, but Israel, for as a prince you have power with God and with men, and You have prevailed.”

He no longer carried the identity of a deceiver but a prince, having power with God and man.

The angel grabbed the hollow of his thigh to weaken him, still he continued. Genesis 32:32 says, … “the children of Israel eat not of the sinew which shrank, which is upon the hollow of the thigh, unto this day: because he touched the hollow of Jacob’s thigh in the sinew that shrank.” Keep in mind that Jacob meant grabber of the heel. This is significant since the children of Israel didn’t eat that part of the meat.

Satan even knows our name: if we are grounded in the Word of God, with a dedicated prayer life, we are a threat to him. (Acts 19:15 KJV) The seven sons of Jewish priest took it upon themselves to cast demons out of possessed individuals. The traveling exorcists called upon one who was possessed by saying, “We charge you by Jesus whom Paul preaches.” The evil spirits in the man replied,” Jesus I know, and Paul I know, but who are you?” The evil spirits physically attacked them. Acts 15:16 says, they leaped and prevailed over them. The exorcist fled torn, and their clothes ripped off. Jews and Greeks dwelling at Ephesus heard about it and they magnified, Lord Jesus.

Saul of Tarsus’s name in Greek translation is the adjective σαῦλος conveyed “effeminate” or “conceited,” and the cognate verbs σαυλοπρωκτιάω and σαυλοόμαι could mean walking in an effeminate .

Saul’s identity represented a tyrant with barbaric actions towards Christians. On his way to Damascus, he had an encounter with Jesus. Radiant light surrounded him literally knocking him off his high horse, blinding him. (Acts Chapter 9) After the powerful manifestation Jesus spoke to several disciples to go to him. Saul converted to Christianity and his name became Paul. Saul couldn’t do the work of God; people were fearful of that name. (Acts 26:12-23)

Paul means, small, cessation, stopper, a small whisper that propagates into a roaring multitude, extraordinary.

Proverbs 22:1 says, “A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches, and loving favour rather than silver and gold.”

Another scripture is Ecclesiastes 7:1, “A good name is better than precious ointment; and the day of death than the day of one’s birth.”

A good name is more than good, integrity follows with it.

While researching the revelation came to me. A person who is under conviction is being called by name by God. “Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.” (John 15:16 KJV)

What happens when we are summonsed to jury duty? We come forth; our identity is programed into the system.

“See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands; your walls are ever before me.”  Isaiah 49:16 KJV

Engrave means in this scripture The word “engraven” is chaqaq.  imprint, engrave, and also means to imagine.  To imagine means that our identity specifically came from His thoughts before man exists.

These are only a few compared to what the Bible contains. 

Keep in mind that through Christ alone changes are made. Jacob is a name that couldn’t be carried on because of its meaning. All these name changes came through redemption.

He even knows how many hairs are on our head. (Luke 12:7) Our God is personal.

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 [DC2]Why Was “Saul” Changed to “Paul”? (logos.com)

 [DC3]Paul | The amazing name Paul: meaning and etymology (abarim-publications.com)

 [DC4]HEBREW WORD STUDY – ENGRAVENED | Chaim Bentorah

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