“Called by Name” (Isaiah 43:1-7)

In the Book of Exodus, Moses asks God for a name that he can tell the people so that they will begin to know God.  Moses said to God, “Suppose I go to the Israelites and say to them, ‘The God of your fathers has sent me to you,’ and they ask me, ‘What is his name?’  Then what shall I tell them?” (Exodus 3:13, NIV) 

Moses had his reasons for asking God for a name.  Moses understood the importance of names.  A name tells others things about the person bearing the name.  It gives an individual an identity . . . reveals qualities and traits about the individual . . . it gives meaning to the individual . . . it expresses the individual’s personality . . . it is how people know who the individual is.  If Moses could give to the people the name of God, the people could then begin to know and understand God.

Well, God understood names too.  God also knew what Moses was up to.  And, apparently, God has a sense of humor because God did answer Moses’ question.  God gave to Moses a name.  God said to Moses: “I AM WHO I AM.  This is what you are to say to the Israelites: ‘I AM has sent me to you.’” (Exodus 3:14, NIV)

In my mind, I think God’s answer floored Moses.  I imagine Moses got a look of bewilderment on his face as he heard the name of God.  To Moses’ ears the name revealed nothing about God; and yet, to God it revealed everything.  But, whatever the case, it opened the door for a relationship with God for the people . . . it gave them a place for them to begin.  I guess God could see the look on Moses’ face because God was adamant about the name.  God also said to Moses: “This is my name forever, the name you shall call me, from generation to generation.” (Exodus 3:15b. NIV)

Names are important.

In our reading this morning we learn the power that comes in a name.  Remember that the prophet Isaiah speaks to God’s children who have been in exile.  They had been exiled to the land of the Babylonians for their stubbornness to not do God’s will.  Now they have returned from exile . . . returned to their homeland and are standing in the devastation and ruin of their homes, businesses, and the temple.  They stand where there were once family and friends.  They stand in a place that once was home.  And, they have returned home to nothing with nothing.  Imagine the despair they must have felt.  It was down-right depressing.

And, there they stood.

Isaiah speaks for God.  He tells the people that they should not wallow in their despair . . . that they should not fear . . . because God has chosen them.  God has rescued them.  God has returned them.  And, that God will never abandon them no matter how difficult life might become . . . God will always be with them.  The prophet lets the people know that this is no ordinary choosing . . . no, because God chooses each and every one of them as God calls them out by name.  “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name; you are mine.” (Isaiah 43:1b, NIV) Because God has done this there is no reason to fear.  There is no reason to fear because God is always with them . . . through thick and thin, good and bad . . . God is with them.

During the season of Epiphany, we celebrate the manifestation of the Holy . . . the manifest of God . . . to all people.  Through Jesus, God has been revealed to all of God’s creation . . . to everyone.  This manifestation was not to a select group of people, but to all people.  God desires that intimacy with all of God’s children . . . each and every one.

Surprisingly, that is the same message God is speaking through the prophet Isaiah in our reading this morning.  The prophet speaks for God: “Do not be afraid, for I am with you; I will bring your children from the east and gather you from the west.  I will say to the north, ‘Give them up!’ and to the south, ‘Do not hold them back.’  Bring my sons and daughters from the ends of the earth—everyone who is called by my name, whom I created for my glory, whom I formed and made.” (Isaiah 43:6-7. NIV)

And, this is no blanket proposition . . . it is not a “one size fits all” sort of deal.  This promise it customized for each and every individual for God has called each by name—each and every one is God’s.  God calls each one by name.  Think about how powerful that is.  Think about it as we hear the reading once again, starting with verse two: “When you, Bob, pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you, Marilyn, pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you.  When you, Lena, walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze . . . Since you, Richard, are precious and honored in my sight, and because I love you, I will give men in exchange for you, and people in exchange for your life.” 

When God speaks to us, God calls and addresses us by name . . . God is acknowledging us and the intimate relationship we have with God—no one else.  God’s words are for us . . . the children of God . . . as God has created each and every one of us.  Through name we discover power . . . the power of God’s love and grace for each of us for God knows us intimately . . . every strength and weakness, every hair on the top of our heads.  God knows us despite it all and still wants us . . . God calls us by name.

Of course, during the season of Epiphany we acknowledge once again the fact that God has manifested God’s self to all.  We do it every year, generation after generation.  There is no real “aha” moment to that acknowledgement.  Yet, I think that in our reading this morning we do stumble upon a new “aha” moment . . . a new epiphany.  That epiphany is that in God’s manifestation to all, God still comes to each of us on an individual basis to acknowledge the Holy to each of us.  God calls us by name . . . desires to know each of us.  That, too, is pretty powerful . . . that God calls to each of us individually to come into the divine dance of life with God.

Upon accepting that invitation we enter into relationship with God.  God who will not abandon us no matter what life throws at us . . . good or bad.  God will stay with us through it all.  Note that God does not promise to take away the bad stuff; no, God promises to be with us, no matter what.  God knows us . . . calls us by name, and because God does, we begin to know God.  Our situation in life may not be as dire as those we have heard about this morning in our reading, yet we have our ups and downs.  But, we too, have been redeemed.  God is with us.  How do we know?  Because God has called us by name and we are God’s.  We are not alone.  What more can we ask for?  Amen.