What's in a Name? Part, the First...

Nebuchadnezzar was a builder.  He was also a great warrior king and ruler of one of the most important civilizations in Mesopotamia.  Perhaps we would still be telling his story if he had not built on such a grand scale.  But he did not leave that to chance... 

As a political maneuver, he had married a Persian princess.  He took her from her mountainous home and brought her to the flat, arid city of Babylon.  From all accounts, he truly loved Amytis and wanted her to be happy.  But she missed the mountains and trees and lush plants of her homeland.  So, he built her a mountain.  He caused a ziggurat to be constructed with an elaborate irrigation system which would bring water from the Euphrates to the top of the ziggurat.  This water trickled and cascaded like so many mountain streams.  He then had native Persian plants and animals transported across the desert.  No small task.  The hanging gardens of Babylon were so awe inspiring they became known as one of the seven wonders of the ancient world.

He also built the stunning Ishtar gate.  Covered with numerous reliefs and enameled in a rich blue, it must have been dazzling against its desert backdrop.  Through these gates visitors came into the city, as did prisoners of war.  All this was designed to give outsiders a proper respect and awe.  We know Nebuchadnezzar built these and much more besides because he told us.  Every single brick was stamped with an inscription that essentially said, "Nebuchadnezzar had me made."  What's in a name?

Assyrian ruler Ashurbanipal also realized that his ruthless and far-reaching military exploits could not be counted upon to insure that future generations remembered him.  So he built a library at Nineveh.  Using war booty in part to stock his library, he included Babylonian texts, such as the Epic of Gilgamesh, as well as Hebrew scriptures.  When Nineveh was destroyed in 612 B.C. by a coalition including Babylonians and Medes, the library was burned.  But because many of the works were on clay tablets, they survived.  Today the British Museum has over 30,000 of these.  And we still remember Ashurbanipal's name.

Homer's Iliad relates the story of the great warrior Achilles.  His mother, the goddess Thetis, had tried to keep him from going to Troy.  She dressed him up as a girl so the men would not be able to find him.  When wily Odysseus drew him out with the gift of a sword, he reproved his mother for her cowardice.  She then told him that if he stayed at home he would live a long and peaceful life,  but if he went to Troy, though he would win great fame for himself, he would never see his homeland again.  You know what he chose.

As we join the story in the tenth year of the conflict, Achilles has withdrawn from fighting because his "honor" has been impinged.  He even sends his mother to ask Zeus to strengthen the Trojans so his comrades will be unable to win without him.  He is willing to visit death and destruction on his comrades for his "honor"?  What kind of honor is that?  What kind of name?

In story after story characters like Gilgamesh, Odysseus, and Aeneas leave their families and endanger their friends to secure for themselves immortality or fame.  They seem unable to imagine a life of obscurity...like they would cease to exist if they lost their reputation.  I am perplexed by them, and yet...I fear I am more like them than I would care to admit.

When Jesus met Simon for the very first time, he gave him a new name.  "You are Simon son of John. You will be called Cephas" (which, when translated, is Peter).  Jesus looked at a hot head-- the guy who would ask to walk on water, the one who, in a show of bravado...and perhaps love, would cut the ear off a guard, the one who would impulsively jump out of the boat and swim to shore to be the FIRST to get to Jesus--and He named him "rock".  Really?  Do you think Peter's friends laughed?

And what about Peter?  Was there a part of him that rebelled against the name?  Maybe he wanted to be the edgy one; the provocateur.  Maybe "rock" sounded a little too establishment.  Or maybe...there was a part of him that immediately resonated; that recognized potential truth in what Jesus said.  Maybe he began to dream of a destiny that had never occurred to him.

Do you ever feel sabotaged by an idea?  Like all of a sudden everywhere you turn it is in your face?  I have come to believe that when this happens it is critical that I listen.  And the idea that keeps showing up for me of late is this idea of identity, and where it comes from and what it means.  Truthfully, I still have more questions than answers.  But I think better when I write.  So, I am writing.  And perhaps this will mean something to you.  Or perhaps it is only for me.  I submit it for your consideration (in two parts so that its length does not overwhelm).  I invite your input.

To be continued.... 

Comments

[Charles]

We would never intentionally name a child Dumb, Stupid, Ugly, or Ordinary. We would not want to speak that into their life everytime we called upon them. We do, however, potentially speak such realities into our children's lives when we give them names without regard to their meaning.

What's in a name from a Native American perspective . . . identity and destiny. During the course of our lives we may receive a new name 3-4 times. This name change will speak to either accomplishments or identifying moments in our life. As for my wife and I, upon the birth of our children we pray and ask Creator what He desires of our child. We then wait until we receive confirmation (both in agreement) from God.

The hospital staff are not too pleased with this when we have had to go home without a name, but it is more important for us to wait upon God. After we hear from God, we name them in one of our tribal languages. Our last three are: Nanaiya (Peace/Reconciliation), Imaiya (Victorious), and Aianli (True worshiper of Creator).

So, what's in a name you ask . . . the rest of our lives. Thanks for getting my mind moving this morning.

[Alison]

I, too, am like Gligamesh, Odysseus, and Aeneas in that I want some kind of honor, fame, success, or achievement in this world. At times, it seems that I am not satisfied enough with where I am headed in life. I want more money, I want greater success at my job, I want people to admire me--I could go on an on. And I acknowledge that this desire for worldly validation is not a good trait.

In reality, it is the life lived close to Christ and doing His will that means something. I believe that our achievements in life mean nothing without Christ.

[Shelia]

Thanks, friends, for contributing to the discussion.

Alison, I feel your pain. I am pretty sure that's why God has been so kind as to allow these truths to cross my path in a variety of guises over the past few weeks. I want to be receptive and hear what He is speaking.

Charles, thank you for your beautiful explanation of the significance of the naming process in Native American culture, and part of the way you and Siouxsan are accomplishing it in your family. I already thought those little girls were beautiful, but now there is so much more to their beauty as I know the destiny God has enabled you to speak over them. Mike and I are really looking forward to hearing you share more of your heart and your vision on Thursday evening.

Blessings to you both.

[Gloris]

Very thought-provoking. I thought of this verse: "The name of the Lord is a strong tower. The righteous run to it and are safe." Proverbs 18:10

and "Call on the name of the Lord and you will be saved."

And this verse in Genesis records the time in Mesopotamia that "men began to call on the name of the Lord." Genesis 4:26

As always, I am blessed by your words. So glad I bumped into you on the internet, Gloris
www.gloriadelia.wordpress.com