FROM THE PREACHER'S LENSES

Sam AwedaTuesday, May 3, 2011
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BIBLICAL TRUTH & POWER IN NAMES:
THE MAN GOODLUCK JONATHAN & DESTINY (PART 2)

t is a tradition in the Bible days to name a child reflecting the circumstances of his/her birth.


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So Sarah, who had a child at 90 named him Isaac, meaning "God has made me to laugh-----"(Gen.21:6).

Rachel, the younger wife of Jacob, under hard labour as she was about to have her second son and before she gave up the ghost, named the child "Benoni" but Jacob who would not want to label his child with such a bad memory re-named the boy "Benjamin" (Gen.35: 16-18).

Hannah who was barren, in bitterness of soul, prayed for a child and after God granted her request named the boy "Samuel" interpreted as "Because I have asked him of the Lord"(1Sam. 1:20)

These practices prevail in many cultures around the globe, in particular, among Africans and more particularly, Nigerians. These are proofs that all tribes of the earth descended from one single family.

We also name a child with some current situations prevailing at the time in the village, town or the world itself; vis-�-vis: war, famine, plenty, death etc.

With the series of calamities that befell Naomi vis-�-vis the death of her husband Elimelech and his two sons; Mahlon and Kilion in the country of Moab where they fled to, following a severe famine in their native country of Bethlehem, Judah, returned to Bethlehem and asked not to be called Naomi any longer but "Marah" (Ruth 1:1-20).

We see the meaning of Mara as "Bitter" i.e something not sweet or not palatable or undrinkable in Exodus 15:22-23.

There was a child like Benjamin whose birth was so painful. So his mother named him Jabez signifying the painful condition of his birth.

Jabez must have realized that the name might have a negative impact on his life, so requested God to bless him and enlarge his coasts. He requested God to keep him from all trouble and pain. God granted his request and he became more distinguished than all his brothers (1Chr.4:9-10)

Often, what a person will achieve in life is prophesied in the given name. Sometimes it is not deeply thought of but are divine. And there are those that are divinely done.

Such is the history of Abram which interprets as 'exalted father' but God changed it to Abraham, meaning 'father of many nations' (Gen.17:4-6).

By divine, all tribes and all races in all nations of the earth who believe in Christ, with the kind of faith of Abram are recognized as children of Abram and not only children through his loins i.e. descendants Ishmael and Isaac (Romans 9:4-8).

The name Jesus was divinely given and interpreted as "He will save his people from their sin" (Matt.1.21). He set Himself on that duty, soon as He came in the flesh and He accomplished it on the Easter Sunday.

John's (the Baptist) name was divinely revealed to his father, Zechariah to reflect his mission on earth, which was to herald the arrival of the Lord and to prepare His way. He became dumb immediately after he got the message.

The duty to name the child fell on Elizabeth, the wife who had no prior knowledge of what transpired between Zechariah and angel Gabriel who brought the message and she also said "John" Relatives drew Elizabeth's attention to the fact that such a name was unfamiliar to their tribe. Zechariah asked for a paper and also wrote "John" to the exclaim of relatives (Lk. 1: 5-23; 57-65).

Was there any deep thought when the parents of Nigerian President named him "Goodluck" or was it divinely revealed or did they prophesy into the life of the young born or only a wish or prayer? Only the parents can tell.

The lessons are obvious. If you have not been in the practice, henceforth parents should start to pray and prophesy into the lives of their children when they give names and pray them to fulfillment. Equally, names with negative illustrations must be changed to positive prayerfully.

Sam Aweda is President & Snr. Pastor, Jesus for the World Revival Mission (Peoples' Church)

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