Nougat 28

Siblings in Christ, names are important. A good or bad name can be the difference between open and closed doors. We understand Jacob’s name change as he went from ’bad’ to good, at least in terms of his reputation. Today’s Holy Nougat is an invitation to consider our own name in Christ.

“You will leave your name for my chosen ones to use in their curses; the Sovereign Lord will put you to death, but to his servants he will give another name.” ‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭65‬:‭15‬ ‭NIV‬‬

It’s like the sheep and the goats isn’t it. The cursed and the chosen. And it’s all in God’s name. Ironically enough, God references ‘Jacob’ rather than Israel in the longer text, which chronicles God’s wrath towards God’s people. Despite the references to a people called forth from Jacob and Judah, the text on the whole invites a personal response to God’s invitation and gift (see verse 9). This isn’t any ordinary people, however. These are they who choose and seek God Who is seeking such people (implied in verses 1-2).

We cannot ignore the prophetic clue of Judah, which is written in plain sight. For let’s keep our focus – Jesus was not only born in Bethlehem of Judea, but He still is from the tribe of Judah. And His name, Jesus, transliterates ‘God saves’. And ’Christos’ ie Christ, is the anointed one; ie the Specially ChosenOne. It doesn’t take any stretch of my imagination to connect the spiritual dots and conclude that we are The People to whom that precious new name is given.

The inheritance and blessing are therefore ours for the receiving. At least for those who seek God’s face. And we know that there are blessings in the new name, once it comes from God. Plus it’s implied in the promise of the new name (see the nougat above; for if the other name/s constitute a curse, then the new name God’s issuing is a blessing).

Which comes full circle to us. We are the only ones on earth who know whether we have truly been seeking God’s face. But; it’s God Who gives the blessing. It’s not for to judge. Unless we are judging ourselves. Can we use the time instead to focus on seeking God with all our hearts, ensuring that our names are blessed and not curses?

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May all we seek be found in Christ