The Life of AbrahamSample

What’s in a Name?

The name Abram means “exalted father” and the name Abraham means “father of nations.” At this point, Abram is ninety-nine and has only been a father for thirteen of his ninety-nine years. Ironically, he lived childless for eighty-six years with the name “exalted father” hanging over his head. Now, with a mere one son, God changes his name to “father of nations.”

By giving Abram this new name, God is reminding Abraham who he is. Not because it is apparent to observers, but because of God’s promise. It might be laughable to onlookers to think of an old man with one son as a father of nations. Based on God’s promise, it is a reality.

This establishes an important connection between faith and speech. Speaking what is true helps us believe and live what is true. God is giving Abraham a way to remember His promise repeatedly, daily; every time he hears his name, he remembers God’s promise.

A reader recently asked us to provide some practical steps we can take to adopt a truly personal perspective. This passage provides an excellent example of something very practical. Speak often what is unseen but true. Name God’s promises and speak them as often as you speak your name.

When we believe in Christ, we are given a new identity in Him. We are new creations, with new desires and new gifts. But our ‘old man nature’ is still there, and it doesn’t want to be supplanted or displaced. Let’s speak this new reality over our lives. We are receptacles of the Holy Spirit. We are children of the Royal King. We are filled with the resurrected power of Jesus. This is what is true. Let’s speak our new identity—our new name—out loud.

Our old nature is still there, but it is no longer our master unless we choose it to be. Speaking what is true helps us shift our perspective from who we were (the old man) to what we are now (a new creation).

As we speak our new name, our new identity, we grow in the faith of our new nature. In doing so we walk in the footsteps of Abraham—the father of nations and father of our faith.