Bible Reflections From Scripture Union Volume OneSample

A New Name Read Genesis 17:1-27 When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the LORD appeared to him and said, "I am God Almighty ; walk before me and be blameless". Genesis 17:1 In today’s passage, God reveals Himself to Abram by a new name, and changes the names of Abram and Sarai to Abraham and Sarah respectively. God identified Himself to Abraham as El Shaddai. Most Bible translations render it as 'God Almighty' based on the Greek and Latin versions. The root word has something to do with 'God of the Mountains'. Let us remember that God has many names and titles. He is so great that a few names would never be able to describe Him fully. To us, mountains are big challenges. Abraham was 99 years old and Sarah was still barren. But God again asserted that Sarah would bear Isaac for Abraham and that it was through Isaac that His covenant would continue. It was a great challenge for Abraham, so much so that he tried to laugh it off. In his day, there were no fertility drugs, and no in vitro fertilization. God also gave new names to Abram and Sarai. Their new names, Abraham and Sarah symbolise a new beginning as well as a changed destiny. From being an ‘exalted father’, Abraham is now ‘father of a multitude’. He must now focus, not just on his relationship with God, but also on his relationship to the nations. His new name is outward-looking and carries the divine purpose. In our relationship with God, let us expand our focus to include outward-looking and global concerns, eg. mission-oriented projects. Fully believing in El Shaddai, pray for the conquest of the greatest ‘mountain’ in your life. If you were to be given a new name based on a deeper personal relationship with God, what name would you choose?