This year for the Blogging from A to Z in April Challenge I have chosen a single word for each letter of the alphabet. Each of these words is important in the Bible. I am including a story in each post. Links from biblical references go to Bible Gateway.
Names are very important in the Bible. Many names have meanings or are plays on words. Some characters have their names changed as their life progresses to reflect changes in their character or outlook.
In a previous A to Z Challenge I looked at the Names of God. This post is about God’s name or reputation.
One of the Ten Commandments warns about the improper use of God’s name. Exodus 20:7
Prophets appointed by God would speak in his name. Deuteronomy 18:18-19
The prophet Nathan told King David that one of his offspring would build a house for the Name of the Lord. (This was King Solomon.) 2 Samuel 7:11-17
Everyone who calls on the Name of the Lord will be saved. Joel 2:28-32
Believing in the name gives the right to be children of God. John 1:12
Jesus Christ claimed to have come in the Father’s name. John 5:43
The promise of the Holy Spirit to be sent in Jesus’ Name John 14:26
Baptising them in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit Matthew 28:19
The excitement of worshipping God’s holy name
Once King David had made Jerusalem his home he wanted the Ark of the Covenant to be brought to the city. The Ark was in a private house where Obed-Edom the Gittite lived. David ordered the Levites to fetch the Ark because God had appointed them to look after it. He called all the descendants of Aaron (the brother of Moses) together.
They prepared themselves for this special task. (The word used in the Bible is consecrated – made holy.) They also chose musicians to accompany them. There was a throng of people, priests, Levites, singers and musicians with lyres, harps and cymbals. Their musical director was the head Levite, Kenaniah. The singing was his responsibility not because of his position, but because of his skill. Two priests were to blow trumpets in front of the ark. All the details were sorted out including a military escort.
What a noise! What excitement!
Sacrifices were made to God and the whole crowd including the king danced and celebrated.
A tent (tabernacle) was ready for The Ark of the Covenant to be set up. Once that was done there were more offerings to God and food was given to all the people including women and children. The list of people to serve in the tent and their responsibility for the music was made clear.
Then David prayed a wonderful psalm of thanks, beginning with:
Oh give thanks to the Lord; call upon his name;
make known his deeds among the peoples!
Sing to him, sing praises to him;
tell of all his wondrous works!
Glory in his holy name;
let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice!
and going on to tell the people how to worship God and proclaiming God’s nature and all that he had done for the people of Israel. 1 Chronicles 16:6-10