Name Change

You know how I love to share with you things I learn so here's today's treat. It's about names and what they mean. I am constantly amazed how totally organized God is and purposeful He is in everything He does, even the stuff that we think is minor. For instance, changing peoples names. Sarai and Abram are our examples today.
The person who had responsibility and authority over you was the one who named you which is why in Biblical times the father named the baby. It was the same for Abram. Abram was named by his father Terah, the one who had authority over him. When Abram left his father's house and headed out on his own God took responsibility and authority over him so changing his name indicated a change in authority from Terah to God. It's not unlike today when someone adopts a baby they usually change the child's name. It's a way of showing they are now the parent and have the right to name their new son or daughter.
Another interesting point is Abram in Hebrew meant exalted father.
Definition of exalted: raised or elevated, as in rank or character; of high station: an exalted personage.
So Abram could be considered top dog if you will or the big boss.
The name Sarai comes from the verb (sarar) meaning to rule, reign, be princely, govern.
In today's terms we would call Sarai a domineering woman. A woman who took control, to rule.
Whether it's Bible times or today we all know how hard it is to have two rulers living in one household. It can cause grief. We know it caused grief for Abram and Sarai because Sarai wanted a baby and she wasn't able to have one and it made her crazy. After years of trying she decides if she can't have a baby herself she'll have someone else do it for her. She tells her husband to sleep with her maid so she can get a baby. That's what I call domineering.
Genesis 16:1 Now Sarai, Abram's wife, had borne him no children. She had an Egyptian maid whose name was Hagar.3 So Sarai, Abram's wife, took Hagar her Egyptian maid, after Abram had dwelt ten years in the land of Canaan, and gave her to her husband Abram to be his [secondary] wife. 4 And he had intercourse with Hagar, and she became pregnant; and when she saw that she was with child, she looked with contempt upon her mistress and despised her.
Isn't it just like us sometimes ladies we make something happen and then we're mad when it does...
OK, let's get back to Abram. We know God changed his name from Abram, exalted ruler to Abraham, father of many nations.
Genesis 17:4 “As for me, this is my covenant with you: You will be the father of many nations. 5 No longer will you be called Abram; your name will be Abraham, for I have made you a father of many nations.
But how could he be a father of many nations if he couldn't have a son with his wife Sarai? (God worked all that out and if you want to know how read Genesis 17.)
The part I love is God didn't just want Abraham to be a ruler He wanted him to have the characteristics of a father. I know many leaders who aren't good examples of leading as a loving father.
Genesis 17:15 God also said to Abraham, “As for Sarai your wife, you are no longer to call her Sarai; her name will be Sarah.
God changed Sarai's name to Sarah which means my princess.
God changed Abraham from big boss, main leader to father of many nations. He would still have a leadership role but it went from being exalted to being a father. And Sarai went from domineering and governing to my princess.
Is that not the most loving story ever. God could have changed her name to mean something to knock her down a few pegs or show her whose boss but instead He reminded her who she was, His princess.
Can you imagine even the conversation between husband and wife? It would have sounded something like this:
“Hey Miss Ruler what's for dinner?” to “hello my princess what will we be eating tonight?”
How many women would be less domineering of their husbands if they saw themselves as their spouses princess or better yet God's princess? And how many husbands would be less bullying if they understood their role of father, to protect and nurture.
We would have a whole new family dynamic don't you agree?
This is what God did for us in Christ. Jesus took responsibility and authority over us and allowed God to become our father.
I was a single mom a very long time before I married the second time and one of the hardest things for me was not making all the decisions on my own. Calling me domineering would probably be an understatement. Many single women I know now are very independent, rightfully so, however it makes it very difficult to allow a man to walk in his role.
It would have been a much easier transition for me if I felt like a princess and he felt like a father. Wish I knew then what I know now.
Anyway back to Abraham and Sarah. Once the roles were put in place the rest came to pass a year later.
Genesis17:21 But my covenant I will establish with Isaac, whom Sarah will bear to you by this time next year.”
God changed their names, their hearts and their lives forever and He can do the same for me and you. Take time to ask the Lord what the role your living looks like and what He might want it to look like. Then give Him the authority to make some character changes in you. God loves you so much and He wants the responsibility to establish the covenant He has made with you.
Gems it's never too late to let God change your name.