T-53: What's in a name

Thus far in my study in Daniel, an insidious plot has been perpetrated against the young men from Judah who are captives in Babylon. The king, Nebuchadnezzar has ordered his people to identify likely candidates for service to the king and to prepare them for his courts. The selection process has occurred and we pick up in…

Daniel 1:6-7 (NIV)
6 Among these were some from Judah: Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah. 7 The chief official gave them new names: to Daniel, the name Belteshazzar; to Hananiah, Shadrach; to Mishael, Meshach; and to Azariah, Abednego.
[1]

About this passage, I offer a few observations. First, concerning the Hebrew names of those selected: “Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah.” It is important to note that these young men were devoted to Jehovah, the one God. This is revealed to us by their names which, according to commentary sources, contain some form of the name of God in Hebrew.

Daniel: God is my judge
Hananiah: God has favored
Mishael: who is what God is
Azariah: Jehovah has helped

Wow! You know the story, you know what is coming. But have you ever considered the implications of these names with respect to the trials, tests and temptations that these young men face? God had selected these boys long before King Nebby-nezzar. Their names, given to them as mere infants, reveal God’s plans for them. I will try to remember to come back to and explore this concept further as our lesson unfolds but for now, it is sufficient to understand that these boys had been set apart by God. The servant of the Babylonian king only endorsed by his selection, the selection already accomplished by God himself.

Secondly, I observe that each of these young men were renamed; this was part of the indoctrination process to which I have previously referred. Daniel (God is my judge) is renamed to Belteshazzar which in the language of the Babylonians means “lord of the straitened’s treasure.” (straitened: to make strait or narrow, to hem in, to restrict in freedom or scope, to subject to distress, privation or deficiency) Hananiah received the name Shadrach meaning “royal” or “great scribe.” Mishael is renamed to Meshach meaning “guest of a king” and Azariah receives Abednego which means “servant of Nebo.”

So our four protagonists have their God-honoring names stripped from them and replaced with names that are meant to bring glory and honor to the Babylonian king and the false idols he worshipped. This is not unlike what happens to us in our own lives. As an example, I named by eldest “Gabrielle” which you may recognize as homage to ‘Gabriel’ and it means “God is her strength.” Her friends have renamed her ‘Gabby’ which has implications that are far less flattering. As she matures, she may pick up additional names and titles that reflect her role and accomplishments in this life. From Ms to Mrs, perhaps some initials behind her name. When she marries, she will exchange her family name for the family name of her husband. But no matter by what name she is called, the fact remains that God is her strength. So it was with the fabulous foursome revealed to us in this passage.

The world, Babylon, forced new names upon them. This was done for several reasons that bear mention. First, the Babylonians certainly did not want to be using any language or names that included references to the God of Israel. Secondly, the Babylonians wanted to honor their own gods (idols) by consecrating these boys to their service. Thirdly, as part of the indoctrination and subjugation process, they did not want these boys to have anything upon which to fasten themselves so as to maintain a connection to their own heritage and their God.

I will mention that this is the exact inverse of what happens to those who come to The Lord through Jesus Christ. At birth, I was named after my grandfathers “Carl” and “Bryan.” Carl is my first name and it means “manly.” My last name is Schultz which is derived from a German word for Sheriff or Protector. Thus, my name means “manly protector.” As far as names go, that’s not too bad. But, when I came to know Christ as my Lord and Savior, I received a new name! I received the name Christian (one who follows Christ). I received this name to signify the death of the old sinful Carl to be reborn into a new creation. By comparison to the renaming process revealed in our text today, I submit that washing out the world from the heart of a repentant sinner (Christian) is far more effective that trying to wash out GOD from the heart of his servant.

Lastly, I observe that we remember these boys, these godly men, primarily and sadly by their Babylonian names. Obviously Daniel is the exception but for the others, we name them according to the names given by the Babylonians. Though there is something wrong about that, I will not belabor that point here. I only mention it to heighten your awareness to the powerful effect of the world over all those who live in it.

I close today with a challenge for you to consider your own names whether given, earned or forced upon. But mainly, I ask that you dwell upon the new name given you by God, Christian. What does it mean to you? By observation, what does your new name say to the world?


Warm Regards,
Carl
[1] The Holy Bible : New International Version. 1996, c1984 (electronic ed.). Grand Rapids: Zondervan.