“As for me, this is my covenant with you: You will be the father of many nations. No longer will you be called Abram; your name will be Abraham, for I have made you a father of many nations. (Genesis 17:4, 5)
I love names and I love name changes.
What I particularly love is when God changes your name. That was your name, this is your name. They called you this, I call you this. It won’t be the last time He will be about that business, especially in the family of Abraham (ask his grandson).
The significance of the name change? It’s the fact that in the change of name it underlines who you are to God. This is who you are to Him. The covenant and institution of circumcision that follows reinforces that special role that God has assigned to the man He calls to walk faithfully with Him.
Often it is not about just a name change. It’s about knowing who you are to God. It’s recognising that the call to walk by faith is the same call made to those who choose to follow Jesus. As we walk in that way we discover who we are to God. We realise that and walk in that way, which remains the way of faith.
For His Name’s Sake
Shalom
C. L. J. Dryden
Life With CD 