Wednesday 28 February 2024

Psalm 96

Background

Is there a story behind your Christian name or first name? How was the choice made? Why? How do you feel about it? Does the name have a history or a particular meaning? Have  you ever changed any of your names?

Isaiah addresses God’s people after years of them being labelled rather than named by Babylonians conquerors. We might wonder what sort of language the conquerors would use. God’s people also had to live with the way their homeland was described such as, for example, “Forsaken” and “Desolate” in v. 4. We can only imagine how they might have felt about that.

The names, past and present, in our passage are more to do with labelling the land and the nation of Israel rather than individuals. The prophet names two of his sons using the Hebrew for "quickly to the plunder" or "The Assyrians are coming" – Maher-shalal-hash-baz (8.3) and "A remnant shall escape or return" – Shear-jashub (7.3) These names are unlike anything I have ever used at a baptism service! In many places the Bible's use of names is much more than a label but speaks of character and possibility. There may still be ways we use names in that way today.

In this passage Isaiah interweaves the marriage ceremony with the giving of names. We know that marriage can be the time when surnames are changed or extended. In v. 4 the name “Married” is Beulah in Hebrew and, although not commonplace today, in earlier generations when biblical names were customary it was used as a Christian name. 

To Ponder:

• In the Roman Catholic tradition it is the custom, when being confirmed, to choose an additional biblical or saint's name. What would you choose as such a name today?
• Have you ever been had the responsibility to choose a name for someone?
• Have you ever had a nickname? What were the circumstances in which you were given it?  Was it funny, sad, hurtful or something else? As you consider the person or people who gave you that name, what were the circumstances and what was their motivation? Do these reflections add to your understanding of what Isaiah is trying to say?

Prayer

Insert names of people you know in this prayer:
Father God I thank you for _______ who cared for me as a child; for ______  who taught me about love; for ______  who encouraged me when I became a believer. I also pray for  ____   who is sad; for _____ who is unwell; and for  _____ who   is in mourning. By the power of the Spirit and in Jesus' name. Amen.