JANUARY 02: “NOAH’S NAME”

Names are very important in human history and experience. They go farther than just being symbols of identity. Names could express one’s heart’s desires, wishes, agony, regrets, joy, and even physical on-goings. God bequeathed to mankind, the culture of giving names (Genesis 1&2).

When Lamech had the son he called Noah, he immediately made a statement in relation to that name expressing an expectation of the son, namely, that in the future the son would provide them comfort and rest from the difficult labour of farming on a cursed ground (Genesis 3:17-19). Noah in the Hebrew language means rest or comfort. By naming his son Noah, Lamech was prophesying that his son would bring relief to mankind from the toil caused by the curse the Lord had put on the ground.

It looks as though Lamech was speaking prophetically about a coming messiah who alone is able to bring real rest and comfort to mankind from all the toil caused by sin. In the first instance, Noah by His knowledge of, love for and honor to God and by his alignment with Him, truly became a deliverer through whom mankind experienced an escape from the consequences of wickedness in his generation. By him, a new generation emerged shaped by God for His purpose and glory. This was a fulfillment of Lamech’s prophesy in the first instance. Above all, this prophesy of Lamech indeed came to pass in Jesus Christ, the savior of all mankind. See His personal invitation to comfort and rest in Matthew 11:28-30; Luke 4:18-19.

Beloved, God wants to use you as an instrument of transformation, relief, comfort and rest for the world. However, like Noah, you have to stay in complete alignment with Him.

PRAYER: Surrender to the Lord again in prayer and let Him use you for whatever He wants this year.