Thought for the Day – Friday 19th June
Another Friday!
‘Some time later Abraham was
told, “Milkah is also a mother; she has borne sons to your brother
Nahor: Uz the firstborn, Buz his brother, Kemuel (the father of
Aram), Kesed, Hazo, Pildash, Jidlaph and Bethuel.” Bethuel became the
father of Rebekah. Milkah bore these eight sons to Abraham’s brother
Nahor. His concubine, whose name was Reumah, also had sons: Tebah,
Gaham, Tahash and Maakah.’ (Genesis 22: 20-24)
I had a hospital appointment yesterday – all very surreal in the midst
of Coronavirus – but no grumbles from me on that front rather I was very thankful
for all the precautions which were taken to ensure me and my immune system were
protected from Covid-19!
Although my appointment was in a different hospital – having had to
travel to a private hospital in Glasgow for my NHS appointment - in all other
respects the appointment was very much as one usually finds them. However, what
struck me most yesterday, being seen by a new and different team of people, was
the number of times I was asked my name, it seemed every time I made a move
from one part of the process to another I was asked to confirm it. Then, of
course, each time I responded there would be a comment on how unusual it was in
the way it was spelt and where that spelling came from etc. etc. Now this is
nothing unusual for me – I have after all had this all my life – even been
asked once or twice if I am sure I am spelling my own name properly! - but being asked so many times yesterday did
make me think about the names we are given as children.
Then I remembered Nahor - Abraham’s brother – and decided he must
certainly be worthy of winning a prize for giving his children unusual names!
He had eight sons with his wife Milkah and four with his concubine
Reumah and as you can see from the text every one of them had an unusual name –
I mean really Uz and his brother Buz!
Although being Biblical names I am sure they will all have meaning –
hidden or otherwise to those who heard them.
Anyway no matter their names or the meaning of them these sons of Nahor
were to become ancestors of the 12 Aramean Tribes just as Abraham and his side
of the family would become ancestors of the 12 Tribes of Israel!
So what we need to reflect on is that no matter our name, no matter the
meaning of our name, no matter how our name is spelt, no matter how strange or
unusual our name, we too as unique human beings created in the image of God will
one day become someone’s ancestor too.
Hopefully they won’t be surprised by our names when they discover us in
their family tree!
Prayer
Loving God,
You of so many names yourself – Creator, Almighty, Master, Omnipotent, Shepherd
and so many more, may we always hold in our hearts and minds a sense of our
past, our present and our future, May we remember always that you will be with
us throughout all time. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen
Friday Fun Time:
Here are your questions and challenges for today!
1. What’s the most unusual name you have ever heard someone called?
2. Name five people that you know with unusual names.
3. Would you change your name and to what or are you happy with you
being you?
4. Which of your ancestors has meant the most to you?
5. Make up five unusual or silly names.
No comments:
Post a Comment