Often times, following God means finding new definition. What does that mean? We have so many words that describe certain things in this world, but we often find ourselves confused and uncertain. We even argue over words that frankly imply the same definition. So, what is God’s definition? He often gives us clues and even will spell things out for us. Yet, this is still debated! [The best part is that this is all part of His plan, and it started “In the beginning” – Genesis 1:1!]
Consider the stories of God’s people. How many people in the Bible had one name and God called out to them with a new name? God also says to His people – this is your name because of this reason. It is really a surprising story when all of the names God gave to His people are strung together. God also defines locations in the same way He gives names to people. This place shall be called this because this happened. It may be a fun project to look at a few names and places in the Bible in an evening or even a summer, winter, year when there is nothing else better to do! 🙂
What is God’s definition for your life? What name is He calling out to you with? Is there a command assigned along with your name – like Moses being instructed to GO, for I AM with you? Ask Him – the Lord! Just say – Lord, what is Your definition for my life? Then, wait; listen; watch; taste; feel; explore. God will answer.
I’ll start with a few:
Genesis 2:18-24 “18 The Lord God said, ‘It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him.’ 19 Now the Lord God had formed out of the ground all the wild animals and all the birds in the sky. He brought them to the man to see what he would name them; and whatever the man called each living creature, that was its name. 20 So the man gave names to all the livestock, the birds in the sky and all the wild animals.
But for Adam[a] no suitable helper was found. 21 So the Lord God caused the man to fall into a deep sleep; and while he was sleeping, he took one of the man’s ribs[b] and then closed up the place with flesh. 22 Then the Lord God made a woman from the rib[c] he had taken out of the man, and he brought her to the man.
23 The man said, ‘This is now bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called ‘woman,’ for she was taken out of man.’
24 That is why a man leaves his father and mother and is united to his wife, and they become one flesh.”
- Genesis 2:20 Or the man
- Genesis 2:21 Or took part of the man’s side
- Genesis 2:22 Or part
Abram redefined Abraham. Genesis 17:5 “No longer will you be called Abram ; your name will be Abraham, for I have made you a father of many nations.”
Sarai redefined Sarah. Genesis 17:15-16 “God also said to Abraham, ‘As for Sarai your wife, you are no longer to call her Sarai; her name will be Sarah. I will bless her and will surely give you a son by her. I will bless her so that she will be the mother of nations; kings of peoples will come from her.'”
Jacob redefined Israel. Genesis 32:28 “Then the man said, ‘Your name will no longer be Jacob, but Israel, because you have struggled with God and with humans and have overcome.'”
There are plenty of other definitions in the Bible! Enjoy the venture of finding new definition! Want to dive deep? Also try looking up the Hebrew [Old Testament] and Greek [New Testament]. It is rewarding and fun! A Concordance is a handy tool to have when working with these texts.
Another thing that has helped me find God’s definition is replacing pronouns with names and vice versa… I’ll use one of the passages from above as an example.
Genesis 2:18-24 “18 The Lord God said, ‘It is not good for the man [Adam] to be alone. I [The Lord God] will make a helper [woman] suitable for him [the man – Adam].’ 19 Now the Lord God had formed out of the ground all the wild animals and all the birds in the sky. He [The Lord God] brought them [all the wild animals and all the birds in the sky] to the man [Adam] to see what he [the man – Adam] would name them [all the wild animals and all the birds in the sky]; and whatever the man [Adam] called each living creature, that was its [the living creature’s] name. 20 So the man [Adam] gave names to all the livestock, the birds in the sky and all the wild animals.
But for [the man] Adam[a] no suitable helper [woman] was found. 21 So the Lord God caused the man [Adam] to fall into a deep sleep; and while he [the man -Adam] was sleeping, he [the Lord God] took one of the man’s [Adam’s] ribs[b] and then closed up the place with flesh. 22 Then the Lord God made a woman [helper for the man – Adam] from the rib[c] he [the Lord God] had taken out of the man [Adam], and he [the Lord God] brought her [the woman – later named Eve] to the man [Adam].
23 The man [Adam] said, ‘This is now bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; she [the woman – helper] shall be called ‘woman,’ for she [the woman – helper] was taken out of man.’
24 That is why a man leaves his father and mother and is united to his wife [woman], and they become one flesh [marriage].”
- Genesis 2:20 Or the man
- Genesis 2:21 Or took part of the man’s side
- Genesis 2:22 Or part
All Bible passages are from the New International Version [NIV] with italics and underline added, and can be found at www.biblegateway.com.
JUST PhotographIN' 