Our names are more than just what we are called. They can reveal a lot about our character. When God gave names, or changed names, in Scripture, it signified that a change was about to take place in the lives of those whose names were changed. Do you have a Scripture-based name? Are you living up to the character of that name? Or, do you feel a name-change is in order?
Abram/Abraham
Responsibility
Abram
Ab means chief, principal,
from a primitive root word meaning father, chief
(The same word that Yeshua used when he cried Abba, Father.)
Ruwm means exalted, haughty,
from a primitive root word that means to be high above, to rise or raise, to bring up, to exalt or be exalted.
Abraham
Ab is the same; nothing changed.
Raham means a multitude.
So, Abraham went from being a father exalted (alone), to being the father of a multitude.
As for Me, behold, My covenant is with you, And you will be the father of a multitude of nations. No longer shall your name be called Abram, but your name shall be Abraham; for I have made you the father of a multitude of nations. I will make you exceedingly fruitful, and I will make nations of you, and kings will come forth from you. I will establish My covenant between Me and you and your descendants after you throughout their generations for an everlasting covenant, to be God to you and to your descendants after you. I will give to you and to your descendants after you, the land of your sojournings, all the land of Canaan, for an everlasting possession; and I will be their God. (Gen. 17:4-6)
Are you the father of a multitude, either literally or figuratively? Are you an established leader, having the responsibility of those around you? As an Abram, are you a productive member of society, having the respect of your spouse, colleagues, and neighbors? As an Abraham, are you responsible for your children, raising them as a Godly father, setting an example before them? Whether you are an Abram, or an Abraham, the key word is responsibility.
Sarai/Sarah
Security
Sarai
Sar means chief, captain, general, lord, keeper.
from the word sarar which means to be or act as a prince, to rule, a head person (of any rank or class) a captain, chief, general, governor, keeper, lord, ruler, steward.
from primitive root word that means to have or exercise dominion, to rule.
Ai is a feminine suffix, which makes any word that it is attached to become the feminine version of that word. It is also associated to barrenness. (Gen. 11:30)
Sarah
Sar is the same~nothing changed.
Ah is also a feminine suffix, and changes the meaning to lady, princess, queen, and takes away the barrenness.
So, Sarah went from a barren leader to a leader of royalty. (Gen. 17:16)
Then God said to Abraham, As for Sarai your wife, you shall not call her name Sarai, but Sarah shall be her name. I will bless her, and indeed I will give you a son by her. Then I will bless her, and she shall be a mother of nations; kings of peoples will come from her. (Gen. 17:15-16)
In this name change, God did not change the basis of who they were; instead, he built upon it. Both before the name change and after, Sarah's status in relation to Abraham did not change. Sarah did not lose her 'royalty' status, rather she was promoted in it; she would have an heir to carry it on.
Do friends and colleagues confide in you because they trust you? Do others look up to you as a role model? As a Sarai, do you make those around you feel safe and secure? As a Sarah, are you a guardian and protector of your children, keeping them out of harm’s way, giving them the love and support they need? Whether you are a Sarai, or a Sarah, the key word is security.
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