Many seek the face of a ruler, but it is from the Lord that a man gets justice. –
Proverbs 29:26
During Old Testament times, names had great meaning. God changed Abram’s name to Abraham to signify that he was to be the father of many nations (Genesis 17:4-6). Jacob was to have Rachel as his wife, but Laban gave him Leah first. That created much ill will within the family. So when Leah bore sons to Jacob, she named them according to her situation (Genesis 29:31-35). When Nebuchadnezzar and the Babylonians captured Jerusalem (Daniel 1), he laid hold of four young men whose names were changed as part of their assimilation into the Babylonian culture. But their Jewish names were linked to God and proved to be the names they lived by: Daniel (“God is my Judge’), Hananiah (“Yahweh is gracious”), Mishael (Who is what God is?”), and Azariah (“Yahweh is a helper”).
Similarly, Elijah was the prophet at the time of Ahab, one of the wicked kings of Israel. The prophet’s name means “My God is Yahweh.” Elijah also demonstrated a life lived by that name. When Israel was flailing under Ahab’s rule and living in obeyance to Baal rather than the living God, Elijah stood against the 450 prophets of Baal on Mt. Carmel to show God’s power and sovereignty (1 Kings 18:20-40).
The illustrations above point to the fact that God should be your point of reference. Consider how your life represents His name and how your testimony supports His reputation. Make your life count according to the standards God has set.
Today’s Verse: Proverbs 29:26
Recommended for further reading: John 12:35-46
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