March 2020 GNP Article

Have you ever wondered why the Bible is full of names? Names of places, names of people, long lists of family names? It’s because God knows each one of us by name, and our names matter.

I’ve been reading a story in Judges chapter 4, that is full of names and their meanings. It’s the story of Deborah, Barak, Sisera and Jael. Deborah was the first female judge in Israel, and she was a strong woman. Her name means Bee, maybe because her judgments of Israel would sometimes sting. Israel means God Prevails, so we already know Who will win the battle that’s about to take place.

Reading Judges 4:6,7 with the name meanings, it goes like this:

‘And she sent, and called Lightning Flash (Barak) the son of My Father Is Delight (Abinoam) out of Holy Place-Wrestling (Kedesh-Naphtali), and said unto him, Hath not The Existing One (LORD) True God (God) of God Prevails (Israel) commanded… saying… I will draw unto thee… Battle Array (Sisera), the captain of Whom God Observes‘ (Jabin’s) army, with his chariots and his multitude; and I will deliver him into thine hand.’

God is not threatened by the king of Lowland (Canaan) who reigns in Castle (Hazor) as his name means Whom God Observes (Jabin). God already sees everything, including the 900 chariots of iron with which Whom God Observes had “mightily oppressed” the children of God Prevails for twenty years (v.3). God is not impressed by this show of strength – this battle array – headed by Battle Array (Sisera).

Lightning Flash is afraid, and wants Bee to go with him to Holy Place (Kedesh) where the battle will commence. Bee says that she will, but that the honour shall be given to a woman.

The honoured woman is Mountain Goat (Jael), who kills Battle Array with a tent nail. This is key, because The Existing One uses the foolish things of the world (a woman seen to be as puny as a mountain goat) to shame the wise (the leader of a mighty army with full weaponry on display). The nail was probably made of iron, showing how The Existing One can use one tiny thing – a nail – to destroy an enemy many hundreds of times greater and more powerful – 900 chariots’-worth of nails more powerful.

The final verse of chapter 4 is wonderful. It reads:

‘…the children of God Prevails prospered, and prevailed against Whom God Observes the king of Lowland, until they had destroyed Whom God Observes…’.

This week, find out what your name means if you don’t already know. Do you need to change how you see yourself – either because of your name, or despite it? God sees you and He loves you, Child of God.