Grace

Friday, January 29, 2010

He has a Name

Jacob, John, Michael, Joseph, Jeremy, Nicholas, William, Miguel, Matthias, Wilfred, Christopher, Ryan, Sean, Sammy, Joey, James.

If he had a name...what would it be?
Could he have possibly been named after his father...his father's father?
Or, did his name carry no connection to either his paternal or maternal sides?

...what could it have been?

Job, there is no exact definition as to what his name means; there is a claim that he was named Job (meaning “pain”) for his mother bore him in much pain, and dictionaries have defined Job as “persecuted” referring to the Hebrew interpretation of the name. Although Job’s life is reflective of torturous suffering—losing his children to death in one instance and having his entire body consumed in bubbling boils to name the commencement of such life tests—satisfying the proposed definition of his name, that same life has symbolized a consistent faith in the Unseen, choosing joy in misery, and exhibiting a determined spirit standing firm knowing and openly acknowledging that the Creator is the Creator; He gives with purpose and He takes with purpose.
Job was named. His name may mean something…may be defined with a word or two, but his purpose in life was not constricted or detained by walls of hindrance and cynical reproof.
He was a man…found “…blameless and upright…” in God’s eyes…a man with a name.

John—translated from Hebrew as “God’s grace”. Born to an older couple, Zechariah and Elizabeth, his father was unable to speak—due to his disbelief in John’s birth—until the very day the event occurred.
Born, designed, purposed to “prepare the way of the Lord…preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.” Though some thought John to be the One they’ve all been waiting for he clearly relays to the people that “…One more powerful than I will come, the thongs of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie.”
John lived in the desert eating wild honey and locust. He dressed simple and lived the simple life allowing his speech and existence to reveal more of Him and less of himself.
He was a man… “…more than a prophet.” A messenger sent to prepare the way for the Greater One to come; he was a man with a name.

A thirteen-month-old victim of the earthquake that shook the life out of Haiti was lying in a steel crib, considered to be the one in the most grievous condition before he passed, January 29, 2010. His name...unknown. His parents...unknown. His family...unknown. His life...one can only assume that he lived a life devastated by poverty and hardship. If he ever knew, no one knows. Children for a period of time are blessed to be somewhat shielded to the reality that is before them daily until they reach an age and understanding of reality.
This little boy didn't reach that understanding, that realization.
But he had to have had a name when his mother bore him.
And even in his death, though his name was not made known to those caring for him his name was and is known by God.
He was a boy...his name unknown on earth yet in heaven a cataract of joy flows in rejoicing for his entrance into eternal life.

Sources:

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/01/30/world/americas/30birth.html?pagewanted=1&src=twt&twt=nytimes
www.abarim-publications.com/meaning/job.html
www.thinkbabynames.com/meaning/1/job
dictionary.reference.com/browse/job
www.thinkbabynames.com/meaning/1/john
NIV Bible Books of Job and John

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