Who Am I?
Then Boaz said to Ruth, “Listen carefully, my daughter. Do not go to glean in another field; furthermore, do not go on from this one, but stay here with my maids. Ruth 2:8 NASB
Ruth – When you read the story of Ruth, pay close attention to how many times anyone actually uses her name. You will discover that most of the time she is not acknowledged by name. She is referred to as “Ruth the Moabite,” or “that woman,” or some other designation that does not give her personal identity. In fact, this verse is the first time since Ruth arrived in Bethlehem that anyone acknowledges her as a person. “The narrator’s formulation suggests that Boaz does not speak to Ruth as a Moabite or as an unidentified young woman. This is because Boaz sees Ruth as Ruth, not a Moabite, not an appendage to Naomi, but simply Ruth, a subject who has both a name and an identity.”[1]
How many times have you been set aside as a non-entity, as some “other,” because no one acknowledged your name? How many times have you felt dismissed, unimportant, useless because no one named you? In contrast, what did it feel like when someone else actually recognized you as you, just for who you are?
Keep the answers to those questions in mind and ask yourself this: How do you suppose the Messiah feels when we don’t call him by his name? How would you feel if other people constantly referred to you by someone else’s name? Ruth’s experience of being shunned simply because no one would use her real name is just a taste of how important it is to recognize, acknowledge and validate another person with the personal name. Of course, YHVH is a personal name as well. How are we doing with that one?
Identity is a critical theme in the Bible. Abraham’s identity is given to him by God Himself. God changes Abram’s name. Jacob experiences much the same thing. Knowing who I am and being acknowledged for who I am is crucial for human development. Unfortunately, we often end up like Ruth before Boaz comes on the scene. We are not known as we are. We are known as others perceive us. It takes someone like Boaz to break through the walls of anonymity and see us before we can confidently proclaim our own identity. This is ultimately God’s role. He knows us as we are. He knows our names. In fact, if we wish to be like Him, we must also play the role of validating the other person. We must become those who use personal names. We must “see” who we are speaking to.
Knowing that God validates me is comforting but usually not sufficient. I still need other human beings to know who I am. And the fact that I need this recognition only emphasizes how important it is for me to give recognition. That’s where it starts. I begin the process of being me by first giving someone else my validation. Like Boaz.
Topical Index: name, identity, validation, Ruth 2:8
[1] Yael Ziegler, Ruth, p. 202.
This one hit me between the eyes. How often have I denigrated others by referring to them by their ethnicity, their politics, their societal status, or their FAILINGS (oh, he’s JUST a thief)? What if every time I do not see others as individuals who deserve to be called ONLY by their names – just like I need others to call mine – I lose my name’s status in heaven? What if “forgive me my debts” (all those fractures that made me less than me) as I forgive my debtors” (all those ‘others’ whom I view as somewhat LESS THAN, or, OTHER THAN myself) counts in heaven as how heaven views me? What if I don’t get my name on a white stone until I can include the identities of all those ‘others’ as being the same as mine? What if heaven’s acceptance of me as a precious person is conditional upon me figuring out how to do that to everyone else? What if my name gets called out of that Book of Life when I learn how to call everyone else’s? Kinda gives a new understanding to Yeshua’s command for us to pray for all those who are fractured from us (“enemies”). By their names, of course. Thank you, Skip. I got convicted by this one.
Hello Skip, Laurita and others,
I had a professor in college in the 1970s who modeled validation and listening quite well. He also was involved in what was then called Jewish evangelism. I learned a lot from Mr. Whaley, and now, forty-five years later, still try to use someone’s name when conversing or writing, validate another on social media, am myself interested in Messianic faith. The last conversation with Mr. Whaley was by phone in 1974. I greeted him with the phrase, “Praise the Lord Mr. Whaley.” His response, “I do.” Those two words said much to me then. May we affirm others as we want to be affirmed.
David R
This TW brings to mind thoughts of reparenting. I’ve had friends over the years who I think envied me because I had both parents in the home. And one friend in paarticular spent most of his life looking for validation he never got from an absentee father. A father that gave birth to him. He finally met him when he was in his forties. Childhood wounds run deep. But I would say that you can have both parents in your life but that doesn’t mean you get the validation you need.
When YHVH calls us by name. What a validation it is. Nothing compares. I still find myself seeking validation from my mom. But this TW gives one pause to reflect. Do I validate her?
Excuse me. LOL. His mother gave birth but his father helped. ?
I’m trying to be better about “seeing” people I encounter in my daily routine and call them by name. Yes, it is meaningful when someone calls me by name. Thanks.
I try not to let a lot of ‘things’ bug me. But I have to acknowledge, that the ‘thing’ that gnaws at me the most is the lack of using the Lord’s given name in my church-world. The Messiah’s given name is Yeshua not Jesus. And as I understand it, the letter ‘j’ was not even in the English alphabet until around 1630. Why in the world can’t we, as followers of the Messiah, at least get His name correct? But then, if we find it so difficult to follow His teachings, I suppose it is apropos we care so little about His given name. Might as well call Him ‘Joe’ or ‘Bro’ or whatever. He will know who we are talking about. Right? Not so sure about that. Names are very important to the Creator. Maybe it’s way too Jewish for some, but mostly it is how the historical record has been written for the last 300 years. What is in a name? To the Creator, probably more then you will ever know. And we can’t claim ignorance as our ally. Maybe disrespect, but not ignorance.
“Jesus” is the universal savior. His name is adaptable to any culture and any time. Yeshua is a Jewish man who lived in a particular place at a particular time. Maybe that’s why the Church never adopted such as Jewish name. Better to have a plastic savior than an Jewish redeemer.
There’s Yeshua. And Jesus.
There’s Charles. And Charley.
There’s Robert. And Bob.
There’s John. And Jack.
I’m Richard. I prefer Rich.
When we get to heaven, we’ll find out
if the Master has a preference.
“Seek the Lord while He may be found,
Call upon Him while He is near.”
Whats in a name ? As I’m learning Everything. Yeshua not Jesus for me.
Why don’t our pastors use this name?? Is this little known to the Christian community? Or scholars for that matter. Just curious.
With replacement theology comes a new name for a different Messiah.
I worked at a university in the South for a brief period of time. A man younger than myself was getting a doctorate. He was not from the South. He would make fun of people talking about Jesus, having pictures in their homes of Jesus or yes even the plastic Jesus. It bothered me a great deal, but I never said anything to him. I wasn’t much of a beloved at this point but my parents were people of faith.
Christianity has made imo a mess of his name not just in the fact we don’t even have the name right, but just all the rigidity and limiting view we put on our wonderful Messiah, Yeshua.
But I will say better a plastic Jesus than no Jesus at all.
Might I add this man was a Christian. Catholic.
Believer not beloved btw spell auto correct
i dont think Jesus is all that impressed with the way we pronounce his name or the grammer that we use. i dont think knowing the pronunciation Yeshua enhances a relationship with him at all. sounds like spiritual arrogance to me.
That’s why everyone who knows me addresses me as “Randolph.” After all, who cares if they really know my name, right? 🙂
“This is because Boaz sees Ruth as Ruth, not a Moabite, not an appendage to Naomi, but simply Ruth, a subject who has both a name and an identity.”[1]
Unfortunately, we often end up like Ruth before Boaz comes on the scene. We are not known as we are. We are known as others perceive us. It takes someone like Boaz to break through the walls of anonymity and see us before we can confidently proclaim our own identity. ”
Hi Skip, I know it’s late but just wanted to comment I think this is so important. We need a few people in our lives to validate us. We as adults also need to validate our children. We need to “see” and “hear” our children.
Shalom
If we’re all hung up on using the names of people and we all tend to agree, why don’t we use YHVH because he says not to take His name in vain. We’re not to bring it to nothing by calling him God. Isn’t that as plastic as Jesus? After all the world calls Him God why shouldn’t we get the idea from what we as a group agree about the name of Yeshua not use the name of Yaweh as well?
Todd Bennett wrote a series and The Name is one of them.
Skip, this is definitely food for thought. We need to ask YHVH to reveal to us what He sees in others. You are so right; validation is important. Verbal validation is important. The slightest negative comment, insensitive/impatient statement or action can do major damage to an already wounded or tenderhearted soul.. Taking the time to look people in the eyes and smiling is another way to do it. It communicates attention, worthiness, and tenderness. Acknowledging ones gifts and talents, and giving them the chance to use them is also validating. We all have worth but we don’t all feel worthy because it’s rarely acknowledged. Touch is important too. In all of this, we have to be careful we don’t communicate something unintended. It’s a fine line to walk.
Found this very interesting- 2016 Star Trek 50th Anniversary Panel, Star Trek Fans At Comic-Con Join Hands And Pledge To Honor The Legacy Of The Franchise- to respect one another, to have hope, be positive, and to dream.
Sounds good and nice. Without compromise? Practice tolerance, perhaps?
I love such beautiful dreams.
“It takes someone like Boaz to break through the walls of anonymity and see us before we can confidently proclaim our own identity. This is ultimately God’s role.” Thank you, ABBA!
Giving validation first, like Ruth!
I hope Ruth and Boaz had a “guardian angel” marriage. I listened to a couple in their early twenties discussing divorce. He was adamant he was the head of the household because that is God’s word says. He said she was to follow him. She was to cook for him and do things to show her love for him. It was quite scary to me and sad. I wanted to give him a copy of your book, Guardian Angel. The message of male dominance and control is still out there.
My father had pretty traditional values, but luckily parading around as king of the castle and scaring my mom and us kids into submission and his authority was not any he endorsed. Thank you YHVH for my earthly father.
I am so sorry to hear this, but, as you know, it is common as a result of what I consider the second most pervasive heresy of the Church. Please give a copy to the woman. She will need it.
K, so I have been having trouble relating to the name changes so mentally I use Jesus/Yeshua then try to only speak Yeshua. That said, I have a hard time with worship songs that even those who profess to know the difference don’t change the names to their proper names in songs. This doesn’t seem right to me, teaching it then still using it, at least try. I understand that we are all in the middle of this change over so if your going to teach it, do it as well. I think the greatest thing about going to heaven is that we will be known for who we really are and our communication will not be misunderstood and we won’t misunderstand. This runs along the same line as correct names.
I am a care taker for my sister who is on Hospice and we haven’t really been around each other for years until this last Fall,we were in touch now and then but not really on the same page at all. Then when I went to move her and drive across country with her during this process Ya revealed to her that she (after a life time of sunday school Baptist teaching) really didn’t know him and needed to be born again, she thought she knew Him but after lots of YouTube teaching early in the mornings He revealed that she didn’t ,in the way He wanted her to know Him. This again is running along the same line of Him wanting to be known also for Who He really is.
I now have to remember daily that she needs to be touched, acknowledged and built up in who she really is not the old records that play in her mind as well as ours. Thank you for bringing the REAL to reality, what really is.
Hi Sharon,
Yes, I joyfully agree with you! Folks still using the false name when they do know the ACTUAL name of Yeshua.
My name is special to me, I wouldn’t acknowledge anyone calling me by any other name.
Even when quoting translated verses, I will add in brackets the actual name.
In hymns, I would use YAH, YHWH, or Yeshua appropriately to fit the verses, or music scores.
Shalom, shalom!
Just a question… Who introduced divers languages… Would each language not have a unique name in that language referring to the Creator…
The fact that I might refer to a person with a language of my own does not mean that the person has as many different names as there are languages. His name is still whatever name he was given in his native tongue. I might be Arturo in Spanish, but that doesn’t mean I was NAMED Arturo when I was born.
Thank you that be true. Would Yeshua be manifested through Emmanuel or would Emmanuel be manifested through Yeshua… Then which one would be the correct form of reference’, not name… As a child is born unto us and his name shall be… all references to a solution that we seek as humans. Counselor, Prince of Peace. Everlasting Father etc. And they shall call him Emmanuel… not his parents they called him Yeshua. Or is this the Hebrew equivalent in naming.
Take a look at the material on the Isaiah passage on my web site, including the excellent article by Rodney Baker, for a deeper look into that name.
Will do thank you
Sar versus Melek… Earthen vessel versus radiating YHVH glory…Still not there will need to read much more. Thank you Skip.
Pele yeotz … a wonderful miracle from God. A promise of redemption both for the people of the time and a bonus enlightenment to understand Yeshua…
Explaining God’s works an ongoing fashioning of men towards salvation… I volunteer then back to the visiting of inequities until the third generation. God is not giving up he is working all towards salvation one insightful intervention at a time…
Now for Emmanuel any links to refresh or research. Or is this what it means…