CHILDREN NAMED

At a household baptism the full names of the babe are mentioned in the same sentence as the great Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. The true desire in this is to seek a full blessing for the child baptised and, as time may go on, to enrich God's responsive service. Many names given to children have a meaning which, in some cases, may come from a language other than their native one. When king Solomon (peaceable) was born God sent a special messenger with a new name, Jedidiah, meaning that the child was "Beloved of Jehovah". This shows how God has longings even for the youngest.

The names of the first children to be born are well-known and it is possible that they were twins. Cain means much the same as 'gain', whereas Abel means merely 'a breath'. They must each have had the same parental care and the same teaching about the Creator. However the first, with the more high-sounding name, thought that God would accept him because of what he himself could do. But Abel by faith - which comes by hearing God's word - brought from the flock a more excellent sacrifice. Therefore he was accepted, as we say of believers now, in the worth of Christ and His work of atonement.

In the New Testament the only names recorded at birth are those of the Lord Jesus and John who was to be His forerunner. The latter name tells us something about God, being a short form of the word meaning 'God is gracious'. But Jesus was God Himself come into human infancy and at once named as the Saviour. How the heavenly host must have rejoiced when they said "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good pleasure in men"! Do you sing His praise or must the stones themselves cry out?

J.C.Evershed