The root cause of afflictions, challenges and setbacks in our lives may be attributed to our names. Names can begin to dominate our lives and destinies because they are powerful, spiritual and invisible. Remember, life and death are in the power of the tongue [Proverbs 18:21]. Now, anytime our name is mentioned; our destiny is prophesied; which could be a blessing or spiritually destructive on our lives.
Everything God created has a name and a purpose. Often times our parents chose names out of innocence, ignorance or perhaps for cultural identity, traditional or generational continuity instead of God’s opinion. There are so many accounts in the Holy Scriptures where names were given by God for specific divine purposes; including our messiah Christ Jesus -Yahusha [Isaiah 7:14] . Others had their names changed; fore instance in Genesis 32:28, Jacob was renamed Israel with a divine purpose by God. Other accounts demonstrates names given with blessing purposes by God’s people. In Genesis 35:18 , when Rachel was about to die, but with her last breath she named the baby Ben-oni [which means “son of my sorrow”]. The baby’s father [Jacob], called him Benjamin [which means “son of my right hand”]. We need help from the Holy Spirit [Ruach HaKodesh] to find out the opinion of God; when naming our children to align with HIS purpose.
In Genesis 17:1-5, ”When Abram was 99 years old , Adonai appeared to Abram, and He said to him, “I am El Shaddai. Continually walk before Me and you will be blameless. My heart’s desire is to make My covenant between Me and you, and then I will multiply you exceedingly much. ”Abram fell on his face, and God spoke with him, saying, “For My part, because My covenant is with you, you will be the father of a multitude of nations. No longer will your name be Abram, but your name will be Abraham, because I make you the father of a multitude of nations”.
Do you know the meaning of your names? Or perhaps you unaware, you call yourself a nickname with an evil, occultic or demonic connection? Or may be your names are connected to idols worshipped by your ancestors generations ago? Many will be surprised to know the meaning and histories of their names when they find out. Our enemy was called Lucifer which means “light-bringer,” refers to his former splendor as the greatest of the angels as is written in book of Isaiah 14:12. Other names are ‘father of lies’, devil, satan meaning “accuser” or “adversary” and many other names relating to his evil deeds.
Joseph’s Egyptian wife Asenath bore him two sons in Egypt. He called the firstborn son Manasseh מְנַשֶּׁה [menasheh]. Joseph said: “God has made me forget [כִּי־נַשַּׁנִי אֱלֹהִים] completely my hardship and my parental home” [Genesis 41:51]. The name Manasseh is connected to the verbal root נשך [nashach], which refers to forgetting and letting go. A very common usage of נשך describes someone being “relieved from debt.” This positive meaning is a better parallel to the second sons’ name, Ephraim (אֶפְרָיִם), which means “made me fruitful.”
When naming Ephraim, Joseph said: “God has made me fertile [כִּי־הִפְרַנִי אֱלֹהִים] in the land of my affliction” [Gen 41:52]. As seven fruitful harvest years came to an end, it became obvious that Joseph was not a lunatic and that Pharaoh had been wise in appointing him to the task of setting aside massive quantities of food. When the people of Egypt thought of Joseph, they naturally thought of wealth and prosperity.
The meaning of these names has everything to do with Joseph’s awareness that it was God who set him free and made him fruitful. In Hebrew, Egypt [מִצְרַיִם] is a place of “confinement” and “limitation” where one cannot prosper. God’s faithfulness to Jacob’s children is best seen in Joseph’s ability to survive and thrive against all odds in that land of “confinement” and “limitation.” Centuries later, Israelites who came out of Egypt heard these stories and were strengthened by knowing that the same God who took take care of Joseph would take care of them as well.
All names in heaven and on earth have powerful, spiritual and invisible forces behind them; which are either light or darkness in nature; but the name above all names is Christ Jesus- Yahusha [Matthew 28:18, John 1:1-14, Philippians 2:9-11].
Brothers and sisters, are we happy with the meaning of our names?
Prayer
Oh Holy Spirit, open my heart and mind not to be ignorant about the devices of the enemy; so not to have an advantage over me in my battles; disconnect me from all afflictions, setbacks and curses connected to my names this hour, in Christ Jesus name.
It is well
Amen, Amen, Amen.
