Calling Card?

And those who know Your name will trust You Psalm 9:11 in the Hebrew Bible (English 9:10)

Name – In our culture, a name merely separates individuals.  So, my name designates me as a separate individual from you.  In spite of the fact that my name might have family history behind it, it really doesn’t tell you much more about me.  My name could have been Charles or Henry or Richard and nothing about who I am would really change.

But this is not the case in Hebrew thought.  Names mean much more than simple designations.  Names have content that are particular to the individual person.  The name Eliezer tells me that there is a relationship between this man and God as helper and protector.  Elimelek tells me that this man acknowledges God as his King.  Hosea is a name that means “deliverer.”  And so it goes throughout the Old Testament.   So, what do we discover about The Name?  God’s name is not “God.”  It is YHWH (the four consonants of the divine name).  Often in Jewish orthodoxy today, it is referred to as “The Name” (HaShem).  Since The Name also has content, the psalmist can refer to God’s name and mean a lot more than just the letters.  What does it mean to know “Your name”?

If shem (the Hebrew word for “name”) really has content, then when it is used of God, it means nothing less than His power, fame, honor, influence, reliability and glory.  HaShem designates all the attributes of the One and Only God.  If I know His Name, that means I have a special relationship with Him.  His Name belongs only on the lips of those who are in covenant with Him.  It is not a name that can be loosely held by those who do not belong to Him.  Why?  Because only He can grant the intimate relationship required to really know His Name. I do not simply have an association or acquaintance with God.  That would be like me saying that I know the President.  I know about him.  I might recognize him if I saw him.  I am associated with him because he heads the government of my country.  But until I am on a first-name basis with the President, I can hardly say that I really know him.  It’s the same with HaShem.  God gives Israel His personal name so that Israel – and all those who become a part of the house of Israel – will have a first-name relationship with Him.  That means being intimately connected to the content of His Name.  That means knowing first-hand His glory, power, majesty, influence, fame, compassion, mercy, love, care, correction and long-suffering.  Until I am on first-name basis, I don’t belong.

Now we can apply the acid test of relationships.  You know exactly what it’s like to have first-name relationships with others.  There is a special quality about those relationships that doesn’t fit the normal “calling card” acquaintances.  So, ask yourself, “Do I really have a first-name relationship with HaShem?”  Does you relationship with HaShem have the same emotional, volitional and cognitive feel to it?  Or are you and HaShem just a bit more like familiar strangers?  HaShem offers first-name relationship to all who are willing to embrace a covenant with Him.  He extends His hand.  Have you really grasped it?

Topical Index:  Name