The second phrase of 2 Chronicles 7:14 is "...who are called by my name..." At first glance this phrase appears quite redundant. What is the difference between these words and the "my people" which began this verse? Would it not be obvious that "my people" would be "called by my name?" And if so, what is the point of these words?
One possibility that occurs to me is the idea that the two phrases consist of identifiers which, while having the same general meaning, would have been used very differently. In the first phrase, the speaker is clearly God. Verse 12 in this chapter confirms this (...the Lord appeared to him at night, and said...".) God uses "my people" in order to identify the nation of Israel as His.
The second phrase, however, would seem likely to have been used by outside third parties. When people are called by the name of someone else, they are identified as followers or family members of that person. A strong association exists between the two; so strong, in fact, that it become difficult to distinguish between them. Throughout the scriptures, we see individuals referred to as "son of", "of the family of," or "of the people of." Jesus himself is referred to as "the son of David" as a way of acknowledging his lineage and association with King David.
So why does this matter? Something for each of us to prayerfully consider is to ask ourselves whose name we are known by. Am I "of the family of Wildcat Fans?" Perhaps I am "of the people of those who never have enough time to talk." Or "of the house and lineage of having lots of stuff." If I believe I am known as "of the family of Christ" is it in the cultural sense, such as the Israelites being decendants of Jacob/Israel? Or is it because I am known as a follower of the man, Jesus Christ? Be assured, outside third parties have labeled each of us as called by the name of something. What name have they given you?
2 comments:
This blog thing is amazing. Do you think Jesus envisioned this kind of prayer community when He taught the disciples how to pray? Well, sure He did; He knows everything!
Praying with other people is about as intimate as you can get in human relationships. So, I’m encouraged that even in these “blog prayers” we will see community grow as we seek God together. Great work Heather!
Brent
Love this idea. Thanks for the prayerful consideration of a few phrases, that are often overlooked, as you pointed out. I wonder how Christ felt, when he was a young child. Was He known as a child of Joseph and Mary and not considered as much as the Son of God? Did all that knew him before his ministry began know that when they spoke to him they were talking to the Savior? Makes me wonder about when I speak to people that I do not know, am I talking to people that are not who they appear to be? Am I loving them as Christ would have me to love them and pray for them?
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