I have a friend who adopted her son after several years of fostering him. She said that when the official court date drew closer, she told him it was time for him to call her mom. It was difficult at first. His associations and connections with the idea of motherhood were fraught with complicated memories and preconceptions, but she knew that calling her mom was just another step toward the familial bonds becoming more real.
That’s the thing about names. They stand for more than just a word to hear your mom call out the back door to say that supper is ready. They carry a weight all their own, and we see this in Scripture. From Adam giving names to all of the animals in Eden to Jesus calling out “Lazarus” in front of an open tomb to John prophesying in Revelations about our names being written in the Book of Life, names play an important role in the history of humankind.
Because the names that we assign others are so important, we also see a variety of names for God. Elohim (a generic name for God first seen in Genesis 1:1 which means “Mighty One”), Adonai (“Lord”), El Roi (“the God who sees me”), El Shaddai (“God Almighty”), Jehovah Jireh (“Provider”), Jehovah Rapha (“Healer”), Jehovah Shalom (“Peace”), and Yahweh (the personal name for I AM, the Sovereign Lord), just to name a few. And then there’s Abba, Ancient of Days, and the Alpha and Omega. Why so many names? That’s just how awe-inspiring, unfathomable and yet accessible our Heavenly Father is. (Heavenly Father…That’s another one!) These names give us insight into who He is while also revealing how He relates to us.
Reading the story of Samson recently, it was pointed out to me that you can predict the ups and downs of this has-really-bad-judgement Judge from the Old Testament by the names he uses for God. All through his story, super-strong Samson is careless with this unearned gift that God gave him. He could’ve led the people to follow God and be free of their enemies, but instead he starts a bunch of fights and lights foxes on fire. Such a waste! When he talks about God he calls him Elohim—not what you would use if you had an intimate relationship with Him.
By the end of his life, when he was a blind prisoner trotted out before the Philistines for their amusement, he finally realized Who he had been dealing with all along—Yahweh. Once they had placed Samson’s hands on the pillars holding up the pagan temple, he prayed, “Sovereign Lord (Yahweh), remember me.” He had to be brought so low to find a place where he could get personal with God. Maybe he thought he could continue to satisfy every sinful whim and desire as long as he kept a safe distance between him and God. Silly Samson!
His story is a great reminder for me to seek out God, not hide from Him. I can approach the Mighty One who sees me, provides for me, and offers healing. I can receive peace from my Yahweh. Then, if I ever get bold enough, I will do what Moses did in Exodus 33 when he asked God to show Moses His glory. That’s when God replied, “I will cause all my goodness to pass in front of you, and I will proclaim my name, the Lord (Yahweh), in your presence.” I don’t think I could stand all that glory on this side of heaven, but oh, can you imagine the fireworks display we’ll see just from Him proclaiming His name? I can hardly wait!
