Dec 8 - What Is In a Name?

What Is In a Name?

Friday, December 8, 2023

By: Lori Wheeler

Scripture:

But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah., out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times.  

Micah 5:2 

When I read the various versions of the Bible, specifically, from the prophecy of Micah 5:2, I read of “the ruler over Israel”. It is so rare that so many translations of the Bible share a consistent phrase or description in any given verse. But this specific prophecy of the coming of Christ our Messiah very consistently says “the ruler over Israel”. Micah was prophesying the birth of Jesus Christ to be born in Bethlehem and the orchestration of events that led to the fulfillment of this prophecy are incredible. 

But almost as incredible to me is that Micah is an abbreviated form of “Micaiah”. It means “Who is like Jehovah?” Did his mother know when she named him? Did he receive his name later after he became a prophet? I find no evidence of that being the case, but Micah first warned of judgement and was providing a way to escape that judgement by encouraging the people to act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with God. To me, that sounds like the perfect recipe for Godly living. “Who is like Jehovah? It would be those that act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly. He then went on in Micah 5:2 to offer hope when he prophesied the coming of “the ruler” who would come from a seemingly insignificant part of Judah, Bethlehem. The fulfillment of this prophecy in the birth of Jesus is recalled and described in Matthew 2:6 when Matthew combines part of 2 Samuel 5:2 with Micah 5:2 in Matthew 2:6 by saying, “But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for out of you will come a ruler who will shepherd my people Israel.'' This ruler just became the Messiah in the book of Matthew- one who has sovereignty, the anointed one. He would come as a baby and take his place as ruler over all; from the cradle to the cross, He came, but He is also going to return to take his rightful place as the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. Micah prophesied the birth of one who is like Jehovah, hence, “Thy Kingdom Come.” 

One minor prophet

One short verse

One small town

One tiny baby

Prophecy fulfilled in only a way that God could orchestrate. The words, warnings and prophecies of Micah still hold true today. Godly living requires of us that we strive to act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly as we represent the One that will return not as a baby in swaddling cloth, but dressed in majesty, not as a servant, but as a ruler. As we celebrate the birth of Christ this Christmas and make preparations throughout this Advent season, I pray we also reflect on the eternal significance of that one very important event in that moment when Christ made his humble arrival in that tiny town of Bethlehem.  

So, what is in a name? I am really not sure, but I do know that as we approach the throne, our name will either be written in the Book of Life or not. That is a thought to truly ponder. And if that name makes it to the Book of Life, what significance will the life we have led when it comes to serving our amazing God could it have attached to it? Gatherer, one who loves deeply, hospitable, shepherd, evangelist- and what fruit will have come from that one that is written in this ultimate gateway to eternal life with our gracious Lord? As for me, well, I just researched the spiritual aspect of my name, and honestly, I almost…no, I did cry. One possible origin of the name Lori is from the Hebrew name Liora, which means “my Light” or “God’s gift of light.” I know my love for Him, and I know the call He has on my life, but I also know my personality.  Yet, He still loves me. I just pray I can learn to live up to this proposed meaning for my name as I prepare each day for the one place I desire my name to be written, with those that I have either planted a seed, nurtured, or helped bring to harvest as they too take their spot in the Book of Life. Micah was called and delivered what God had called him to do, as are and should we.