What's In A Name?

His companion answered, “Your dream can mean only one thing—God has given Gideon son of Joash, the Israelite, victory over Midian and all its allies!” [Judges 7.14]

What's in a name? For Gideon, evidently a lot! God wanted to eliminate any remaining fears that Gideon had after paring his army down to 300 men so He told Gideon "if you are afraid..." (Judges 7.10) first go into the camp of the Midianites to hear what is being said. Gideon was evidently afraid and so he took Purah and went into the enemy camp where he heard his name and realized the fear his name invoked upon the Midianites!

So what did Gideon do? He went back to his camp mustered his men in the night and gave them these instructions:

Then he said to them, “Keep your eyes on me. When I come to the edge of the camp, do just as I do. As soon as I and those with me blow the rams’ horns, blow your horns, too, all around the entire camp, and shout, ‘For the Lord and for Gideon!’” [Judges 7.17-18]

It is understandable the Gideon would instruct the men to declare, "For the Lord!" But to fully comprehend what happened that night, we must understand the importance of the men shouting "For Yahweh AND FOR GIDEON!"

Just as God makes a big deal about His own name (the Bible is full of references where God reveres and commands respect for His own name), so God made a big deal about Gideon's name! What? Is that right? Indeed it is!

What IS in a name? Evidently, the name of Gideon had somehow become known among the Midianites as one associated with overwhelming military power. God showed this fact to Gideon in the little pre-attack visit to the Midianite camp and Gideon "got it" evidenced by his instructions to his men to declare "For Yahweh and for Gideon!"

So, what is in my name? What is in your name? Perhaps at God's direction sometime we could overhear what response our name invokes on others... No doubt, Gideon's obedience to God was the beginning of his name being associated with such power. Has my obedience (or lack thereof) associated my name with anything? Good question.

Father, I want to obey Your every command. I want to move forward with You. I want to be enlisted in Your army and engage Your enemies as one with my own name who is carrying Your name! There IS an enemy who has drawn battle lines against me - let that enemy fear my name alongside Your Holy Name! Help me to comprehend the lesson of Gideon and approach our enemies, "For Yahweh and for Greg!"