FAITH CAPSULE: What is it about your name that is affecting the world you are living?
Acts 4:36-5:1-11
The book of Exodus 1:7 described the growth of the Israelites while they are in bondage, “…the children of Israel were fruitful and increased abundantly, multiplied and grew exceedingly mighty; and the land was filled with them.” By virtue of their growth and the fear of them taking over the land, the King of Egypt devised a law to reduce the Israelites. In the King’s frustrated effort to reduce the Israelites, the bible documented that he spoke to two Hebrew midwives named Shiphrah and Puah, “When you do the duties of a midwife for the Hebrew women, and see them on the birthstools, if it is a son, then you shall kill him; but if it is a daughter, then she shall live.” (Exodus 1:16) The midwives did not act as instructed by the King because, “…the midwives feared God, and did not do as the king of Egypt commanded them, but saved the male children alive.” (Exodus 1:17) The midwives fear God and the meaning of the name they answered was also a determinant as regard to how they affect their world. Shiphrah means “Beautiful One” and Puah mean “Splendid One” The Beautiful One and the Splendid One could not answer to the assignment designated by the evil one against the work of God. What is it about your name that is affecting the world you are living?
It is recorded in Acts 4:36-37; “And Joses, who was also named Barnabas by the apostles (which is translated Son of Encouragement), a Levite of the country of Cyprus, having land, sold it, and brought the money and laid it at the apostles’ feet.” This report was recorded for a purpose, and it speaks volume to any man that will pay attention. The meaning of Joses was not reported for the purpose of storytelling, but to call to attention the man whose name means encouragement, which was indeed an encouragement to the body of believers. Joses was living to the meaning of his name, and that can be seen as being in the center of his calling. Right after the documentation of Joses, Ananias and Sapphire’s case came up. Ananias, whose name means Yahweh, graciously sold his possessions just like Joses, but he kept back part of all that he got from the sale. Ananias failed to live up to his name. Ananias refused to be gracious when and where he needed to be, and as a result, he removed himself from the center of his assignment, and died an instant and untimely death. Anytime there is a failure of not living by what you are called you set yourself up for untimely termination from the center of your divine assignment. Get to know your name, know yourself and live life to God’s divine assignment for you.
Prayer for today: Ask God for the grace to fully understand and answer to your name.