The Importance of Names

“...and you shall call his name YESHUA (meaning Salvation): for he will save his people from their sins” (Matthew 1:21).

Yeshua in ancient Hebrew script

The Hebrew word for “soul” is ‘neshamah’. Central to that word, the middle two letters, Shin and Mem, make the word ‘shem’, Hebrew for “name”. They say, here in Israel, that your name is the key to your soul.

Names are a book. They tell a story, often the story of our spiritual potential as well as our life’s mission. Some sources tell us that when we complete our years on this earth and face heavenly judgment, one of the most powerful questions we will be asked at the outset, is: “What is your name and did you live up to it?” For instance, my birth name is Sharon. It means, “a fertile and fruitful valley,” the name of a plain in Israel. As believers, we are all called to this. Our commission is:

“Go and bear fruit...” (John 15:16).

My grandmother told my mother: “This little girl will be a blessing.” I have tried to live up to my name but of course, like so many of us, wish I could do so much more!

His Name: God of Abraham, Isaac and Israel (1 Kings 18:36) Credit: Names for God.net

Jewish sources tell us that God used names not for the sake of identification in the beginning, but rather for creation. He spoke; and the very words describing the object came into being. The Almighty merely gave it a name, and the very letters defined its atomic structure. Names came before the existence of those things with which they would subsequently be identified. When Abram came to the realization of monotheism, his name had to be changed. See Genesis 17:5.

The change of identity required a change of identification. When Jacob, whose name came from the root word meaning “heel” - which so perfectly suited someone whose approach to the problems of life was always flight - suddenly realized he had to fight rather than flee, the angel informed him:

“Your name shall be called no more Jacob, but Israel; for you have striven with God and with men, and have prevailed.” (Genesis 32:28)

A traumatic lifestyle change brings with it a new personal description. The Children of Israel were redeemed from Egypt; God took note of their suffering and ensured their survival. They were imperfect in many ways, but they did not change their names, their language, or their mode of dress. They remained true to themselves. The Bible tells us: “As his name is, so is he” (1 Samuel 25:25). We will forever leave behind our names as a final legacy. Does that mean we are predestined to live lives circumscribed by something beyond our control? Are we doomed to play out roles handed to us by our parents while we were infants? Is our free will limited by our names? Of course not. We emphasize the principle of freedom of choice. Our names do not force us to be what we are. It is what we are that transmits itself, in a profoundly prophetic manner, to those entrusted with the holy task of choosing our names. It is a message from God, entrusted to our name-givers, in order to help us define our mission on earth. Our names outlive us; let’s do everything in our power to make them be remembered for a blessing.

First published in February 2020, written by Sharon Sanders

Get up, My little lamb!

“Meet me at the Talita Kumi!” my longtime friend always used to say. The Jerusalem landmark has a wonderful story behind it... It has something to do with the Hand of God.

“Can you help me to get off the bus?” an elderly lady asked me in Hebrew as I was trying to board. I took both of her wrinkly hands in mine, and made sure she was safely on the pavement. I felt so happy to have helped her. It got me thinking about how God speaks a lot in the Bible about holding our hand. I love the Isaiah promise, first to Israel, and also to those who fear Him:

“For I hold you by your right hand—I, the Lord your God. And I say to you, ‘Don’t be afraid. I am here to help you. Though you are a lowly worm, O Jacob, don’t be afraid, people of Israel, for I will help you. I am the Lord, your Redeemer. I am the Holy One of Israel.’” (Isaiah 41:13-14)

It is such a simple gesture to hold someone’s hand, be it a child, an older person, a beloved spouse. It’s always so sweet to see an elderly couple still holding hands after many years together. Israel’s faithful God reminds His People that though they may feel like a little worm, His big, capable hand is outstretched for their sake.

And it is not a question of how worthy or strong they are. By calling them ‘Jacob’ here, God is alluding to their weakness. As one spiritual leader here in Jerusalem always reminds Gentile Believers (alluding to Romans 11:21):

“Without a certainty about God’s mercy upon Israel, there is no certainty of His mercy towards the Church.”

I started wondering about where we see Yeshua taking someone’s hand. I’m sure He did many times when He healed someone, when He called the children to Himself, when He lifted up the lady who was cowering on the ground for fear of being stoned.

(Painting by Victoria Karlsson)

I went to the familiar story of the little girl of twelve, (how special - today's Bat Mitzvah age - when girls get to be a princess for a day!) who had already died before the popular Travelling Healer reached her. “Yes, it says He took her hand,” I thought happily to myself.

“Putting them all outside, He took her by the hand, and called her…”

The online Hebrew Bible translation of the Gospels renders the verse, "!קומי,ילדתי" - “Get up, My child!” (Luke 8:54). Often we hear that ‘Talita Kumi’ is an Aramaic translation. Actually, ‘kumi’ is both a modern and an ancient Hebrew instruction found also in Isaiah, (60:1), also to Israel:

“Arise, shine, for your light has come” (‘Kumi! Ori!’ in Hebrew).

In the book, ‘Jesus Spoke Hebrew – Busting the ‘Aramaic’ Myth’, by Brent Minge, we find that ‘talita’ is also rooted in the Hebrew language. It is a word used by other Jewish teachers of the period, including the spoken translation (Targum) of Genesis 34:3 for ‘young woman’. The word comes from the Hebrew ‘talah’, meaning ‘lamb’; and as Minge says, it is “a term hardly out of place on the lips of the Good Shepherd”. Based on these uses of the word, it is probable that Yeshua addressed her as His “little lamb”. Isn’t that beautiful? Isaiah perhaps caught a glimpse of the hands of the Shepherd, centuries earlier, when he wrote:

“He tends his flock like a shepherd: He gathers the lambs (Hebew Bible plural of ‘talah’ - ‘tla-im’) in his arms and carries them close to His heart; He gently leads those that have young.” (Isaiah 40:11)

So, back to the landmark... Right in the centre of Jerusalem stands a constant reminder of this miracle of a little girl raised to life. The ‘Talita Kumi’ girls’ orphanage and school was rebuilt by master architect Conrad Schick, in 1868. Schick is famous for his buildings around Jerusalem, but also for his models, such as that of the Temple Mount, now housed at the Heritage Centre at Christ Church. (Photo: Friends of Conrad Schick on WordPress.com)

All that remains of the beautiful school building now is a façade which was preserved at the original site, where Ben Yehuda Street meets King George Street. Because you can’t miss it, it’s a great place to meet a friend! What a privilege to follow the Shepherd and encourage the downhearted by holding out helping hands, as if to say, “Rise up, little lambs; arise and shine! For the Glory of the Lord has risen upon you.”

"Hold hands with the Lord Each day of your life Each day of your life, He’ll show you the way. Hold hands with the Man Who bled just for you Who hung on that cross just for you.

For His love is so deep, so wide and so sure Praise His name, lift it high, from mountain to shore; For no trouble, no hardship, no hunger, no trials Can ever His hold on us break."

(Anon.)

A fresh look at Pentecost

It’s quite amazing to be in Israel at Shavu’ot (Pentecost) - especially if your name is Ruth.

While the biblical Shavuot - one of the three great pilgrim Feasts of the LORD - does not involve the story of Ruth, it has become traditional to read the whole Book of Ruth on this holiday. Many Jewish people stay up all night on Shavuot, reading the Bible in honor of the giving of Torah on Mount Sinai. The account of Naomi and Ruth took place around the time of Shavuot, and the text also mentions the spring barley harvest, which this festival celebrates. It is all about a Covenant of Love.

As Israel’s great Lover and Holy God, Adonai, calls His People to enter into Covenant on Mount Sinai, so in Ruth’s story we have a marriage which eventually leads to the birth of a special king: David. It is a redemptive reunion of both Jew and Gentile with the Land given by God to Israel. It is about Beit Lechem, the 'House of Bread', the City of David. The little town will bear, not only little Oved (Servant), Naomi’s pride and joy, but later another special Baby - the promised Messiah (Micah 5:2).

“I don’t know why we call it ‘Bayit Lachem’,” said my Arabic teacher, when I asked the question. It was fascinating to me that the Arabic letters were almost identical to the Hebrew ones for this name. In my excitement I think I blurted out something about ‘bread’ in ancient Hebrew, to which there was no comment in return!

It’s not much of a Jewish town these days, despite the curiosity of many Israelis about the Christmas story and festivities. Sadly, there is a complete ban on Israelis entering Bethlehem, or any towns under full

Palestinian Authority (PA) control, due to the danger to their lives. But, of course, our famous Jewish Baby - Yeshua - was born there!

“Well... he became a Roman”, I overheard a Palestinian tour guide say, recently, while his group was hearing about St Paul’s Jewishness. “Interesting...” I thought to myself.

The erasure of Jewish identity in this Land is one of the goals of certain people who like to revise history to suit their own ends. Sadly this extends to the Bethlehem-born Lord Jesus. Often His Jewishness is forgotten, or deliberately ignored. He has become disguised, like Joseph when he dressed as an Egyptian and his brothers couldn’t recognize him…

So, back to Ruth. Her identity is clear. She was not Jewish, but she decided to leave her land and people, so that she could stay in Israel and support her mother-in-law. And we see from the text that it was not only a practical decision. It was also spiritual. Ruth decided to put her faith in Naomi’s God - the God of Israel. And He rewarded her.

It is traditional for women and girls to wear white on Shavuot. Again we see the symbolism of the Covenant of God with Israel, His bride. And how beautiful that Ruth, as a bride, represented all of those who would be joined to the Commonwealth of Israel, when the Word of God went out to the nations through the Jewish disciples of the Bethlehem Baby.

I thank God for revealing to me that this Jewish King is the world’s Kinsman Redeemer, and for showing me how precious to Him are His Naomi-people, who really need us to come alongside and be 'Ruth' to them.

May God help us to walk in her calling, by the strength of His Spirit.