Text: Genesis 5:29 KJV
Further Reading: Genesis 8:20-22
And he called his name Noah, saying, This same shall comfort us concerning our work and toil of our hands, because of the ground which the Lord hath cursed.
Genesis 5:29
MESSAGE
Names are powerful. The idea is that when a person is called by the given name, such will become the name. We have seen in our previous lesson how Jabez suffered because of his name. Because his name meant sorrow, he had sorrow all his life until he prayed (1 Chronicles 4:8-10).
The Jewish people are particularly careful in the names of their children. It seems as if names are prophecies into the life of the newborn child. Truthfully many people have ended up becoming their names.
God is no exception in this, as great and mighty as He is, God’s declaration of names is directly consequential to future events.
For example, when He christened Abram as Abraham, it was a prophecy. From “exalted or high father” to the future promise of the father of many nations of whom we are today (Genesis 17:5). Take a look at Jacob, it was a rename at penuel that changed his destiny in life. From a supplanter, thief, and rogue, Jacob became Israel meaning the prince of God. So that God could later call him His firstborn. (Genesis 32:28)
In declaring the name of the coming messiah, the angel says He shall be called Jesus, meaning ‘Jehovah Saves’, because He will save His people from their sin (Matthew 1:21)
The Bible says further of Jesus, that God gave Him a name above every other name, that at the mention of the name Jesus, everything visible and invisible must bow and all tongues must confess that Jesus is Lord (Philippians 2:9-11)
Friend, what is your name? What do you call yourself? Dear parent, what names do you give your children? Some of you have good names but have been called by other names. Some parents have annexed names like stupid, foolish, idiot, and many curse words to the names of their children and wards.
Some of these children have ended up becoming foolish, and stupid. Even if the real name of the child is ‘Prosper’, such would only prosper in foolishness and stupidity.
In our text of the day, Lamech called his son Noah, because he will bring an end to their problems, and put a stop to the curse on the ground.
By the time we read Genesis 8:21, God said I will no longer curse the ground for man’s sake.
Noah has become his name, he was to start a new generation, the curse upon the ground broken.
Are you suffering from the effect of alternative names you have been called? Run to calvary where Jesus the great redeemer has redeemed us from the curse of the law.
Apply His blood upon your life and He would make you whole.
What is your name? Are you a sinner? Jesus wants to change your name. Those who received Him are given the power to be called the children of God (John 1:21). Run to Jesus today.
REFLECTION
The Lord sent a word into Jacob, and it hath lighted upon Israel.
Isaiah 8:9
Whatever your name is, Jesus can give you a new and better one. Will you run to Him now?
PRAYER
Father, please change my name today and give me a new and better one.
