We have all heard the children’s rhyme, “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but names will never hurt me.” This idiom effectively teaches young people to ignore or at least deal with hurtful speech. While this strategy for deflecting verbal bullying puts into perspective the weight we give to the words of others, it does not eliminate the psychological effect of such abuse. Children and young people are especially vulnerable to comments made at their expense by their peers. But the damage is minimal if children are taught that words spoken by ignorant people are best ignored.
Childish name-calling is one thing, but when we are called names by mature, respected people in positions of power, the effects are life-changing. These changes can be either positive or negative. My mother knew how to prioritize compliments given to small children that form a proper self-image. For example, when we told our children they were cute, she would say, “Don’t tell them that. Tell them that they are good.” I’m sure she understood that cute doesn’t last, but being good does. However, my mother was not one to hand out unearned compliments either; she was wise enough to know that children can detect patronizing words about meritless behaviors.
With this setup, I am prepared to explain my thoughts about the story of Daniel and his companions in the Bible. When Babylon conquered Israel, the best and brightest were taken by Nebuchadnezzar as spoils of war to be groomed and used to strengthen and further his kingdom. I found it fascinating that one of the first things he did was change their names. Daniel 1:6-7 reads, “Now among these were of the children of Judah, Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah: Unto whom the prince of the eunuchs gave names: for he gave unto Daniel the name of Belteshazzar; and to Hananiah, of Shadrach; and to Mishael, of Meshach; and to Azariah, of Abed-nego.”
Because names, especially Bible names, have specific meanings that are used to help the person remember God and his blessings or to remember where the person comes from and give them direction, given names are a big deal. In short, names give people an identity. Over time, naming children has changed. Perhaps family names are given to children in hopes that the child will look up to their namesake and emulate their good qualities. Today, names are chosen because parents like the name, and they have no bearing on God, family, or anything else. Then there are hippie names that are anti-meaning, leaving the child responsible for making a name for themselves. Perhaps the hippies were on to something.
Back to the story of Daniel. Nebuchadnezzar wanted to change the nature of Daniel and his companions fundamentally. He tried to strip them of their culture in every way. To the credit of these young men and their parents, they stayed true to themselves and their God. The results of their resolve to remain faithful are some of the most memorable stories in the Bible. To Nebuchadnezzar’s credit, he recognized that Daniel’s God was “…a God of gods, and a Lord of kings…”.
Today in our country, names, especially the names of patriots and heroes, are being vilified to change the identity and culture of an entire nation. If the names of great women and men can be diminished or forgotten, we, as a nation, will lose our identity as an indisputably free and exceptional nation. There is criticism of exceptionalism that argues that the way we have become exceptional is by oppressing others. This sophisticated name-calling and definition-changing of language are being implemented by bullies who hope to rule the schoolyard of the world. However, if we know who we are and remain faithful to God, our God of gods and Lord of kings will protect and defend us as he did with Daniel.
Now I want to discuss the names by which we are and can be known.
First are our given names and surnames. Even if we are Buffy or Chad, we have an opportunity and responsibility to make our names respectable. In other words, we must know who we are as children of God and remain true to that divine heritage. If our ancestors are honorable, we must remain true to them. If our heritage has been less than respectable, it is up to us to reverse the trend. A wise person can recognize where their forbearers failed and resolve to do better. If addictive or harmful character traits are part of your DNA (literally or figuratively), you can change your DNA through intentional, conscious thought and behavior.
Second is our covenant name. When we are baptized, we take upon us the name of Jesus Christ. It is like another surname, and we are responsible for living up to the standard set by our namesake. Because all of the covenants we make with our Father in Heaven are made in the name of the Savior, we become the Children of Christ. If you have ever wondered how Christ is both the Father and the Son, he is our covenant Father and simultaneously the Son of the Living God.
Lastly, we can receive a new name. This is a name by which we are known to the Father and by which we can come to know him. The name itself is not as important as what it represents. The new name is representative of a personal relationship between God and us. We are told that the new name is given to those that “overcometh.” Revelation 2:17 reads, “He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it.” Revelation 3:12 reads, “Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, which is new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God: and I will write upon him my new name.” Isaiah says, “And the Gentiles shall see thy righteousness, and all kings thy glory: and thou shalt be called by a new name, which the mouth of the Lord shall name.” This name is personal and sacred and is a key to individual revelation of the highest order.
Nebuchadnezzar saw the glory of God through Daniel and his companions. We have the opportunity to let the world see His glory through us. To accomplish this, we must not allow ourselves to be named by the world, nor can we allow good to be called evil. We want the Lord to say of us, “I know thy works, and charity, and service, and faith, and thy patience, and thy works; and the last to be more than the first.” (Revelation 2:19). We must become one of those who overcome the world through Christ and receive a new name.