July 31, 2018
What's in a Name?
Romans 9:24-26
Lindsey Lauderdale
Central Truth
The meaning of a name has great value and can impact the way we live and how we view ourselves. Praise the LORD for His grace and sovereign choice in adopting a previously rejected people and making them His children.
Romans 9:24-26
24 even us whom he has called, not from the Jews only but also from the Gentiles? 25 As indeed he says in Hosea,
“Those who were not my people I will call ‘my people,’
and her who was not beloved I will call ‘beloved.’”
26
“And in the very place where it was said to them, ‘You are not my people,’
there they will be called ‘sons of the living God.’”
Dive Deeper | Romans 9:24-26
Over the past ten years, I’ve spent quite a bit of time in Ethiopia. One of my favorite things about Ethiopians is that they know the meaning of everyone’s name. Upon introducing you to someone, they quickly follow up with the meaning of that person’s name (without using Google!). There is value in the meaning of a name in their culture.
Can you imagine being named Lo-ammi, which means, "Not my people"? That’s what is happening in the passages that Paul is quoting from Hosea. God had Hosea name his child this to symbolize God's rejection of unfaithful Israel, His covenanted people. Ouch! However, the book of Hosea ultimately reveals God’s faithfulness to keep His covenant and to restore Israel to relationship with Him.
So why would Paul reference this passage in Hosea (Hosea 1:9-10)? Possibly to reveal a similarity between the Jews and Gentiles in that God, in His sovereign choice and grace, took a previously rejected people, Gentiles, and brought them into relationship with Him. He changed our name!
Romans 9:26 tells us that "where it was said to them, 'You are not my people,’ there they will be called ‘sons of the living God.'" When we put our faith in Jesus as our Savior, we are made children of the King and receive all the dignity, value, and inheritance that comes with our new name and identity. The meaning of my name changed from "Not My People" to "Daughter of the King"!
So what does God’s name in this passage mean? When we read the verses in their context in Hosea, we see that it is God speaking and that the name used for Him is LORD in small caps. In most English translations, it is common to use LORD in small caps for the four Hebrew letters YHWH (Yahweh for us). This is the personal name of Israel’s covenant God and is sometimes rendered "I Am." (See Exodus 3:14-15) It is rich in meaning and puts an emphasis on His position as covenant maker and keeper. God keeps His promises! Be reminded and encouraged every time you see LORD that God is faithful and only He can change our names.
This month's memory verse
11 If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit who dwells in you.
– Romans 8:11
Discussion Questions
1. For fun, go to Google and find the meaning of your name. I hope the meaning of your name is a little more interesting than a tree on an island.
2. You might recognize the title of this devotional as part of a quote from Romeo and Juliet. In the play, we learn that what keeps these lovebirds apart is simply their names. What false name or identity have you been holding onto that keeps you from living with the dignity, purpose, value, and inheritance that God has bestowed on you as His child?
3. The names and attributes of God tell us who He is, and Yahweh specifically tells us that He is faithful and can be trusted. As you think about your life, does the way you live and the choices you make reflect that you believe what His names say about Him? Do you, deep down, trust Him to keep His promises, to be who He says He is, and do what He says He will do?