Now a new king arose over Egypt, who did not know Joseph.
For the last few weeks, in our first Bible lessons, we’ve been hearing the story of Joseph, the lad with the coat of many colours, the one sold off by his brothers into slavery in Egypt. In last week’s lesson he sent for his father and for his family to come live in Egypt where they would be able to survive the famine that had swept the land. We are accustomed to these stories, but do we ever ask if, along with recounting the glorious history of the Children of Israel, there is a reason why they appear where they do and as they do in the Bible?
Today’s reading begins by telling us that Jospeh has been forgotten by the powerful Pharoah in Egypt. This has huge implications, because it means that all the Hebrew people who settled in Egypt no longer have the protection of someone in authority. And this new king is ruthless and jealous of the Israelites, so he sets about suppressing, subduing, and annihilating them. This king is dealing with an entire population that has settled in what is for them a foreign land. How and why are they there?
Because we have heard the story of Joseph, we know how all those Children of Israel ended up in Egypt in the first place. So, along with recounting some of the glorious history of the Israelites, the story of Jospeh lays the ground work for today’s first lesson.
Today’s reading is about Moses who led the children “out of the house of Egypt, out of the land of bondage”, it is he who saw them safely to the Promised Land and watched from afar as they entered it. Moses is the superstar of Jewish history, the greatest figure of all, but there’s one thing about Moses that is troubling to the Children of Israel. Moses isn’t a Hebrew name. Among the many things that the ancient Hebrews, as well as modern Jews today, felt and feel deeply about, is the power of names. How and why does Moses have an Egyptian name?
And so, we have this amazing story in which Pharaoh’s daughter finds the Hebrew baby floating in a basket in the reeds, draws him out, and has him nursed and cared for – and as the story progresses it is she who names him. We’re all familiar with the story pf “Moses in the Bullrushes”, but it’s a story with large holes in it.
In the violent beginning of the lesson, we learn “The king of Egypt said to the Hebrew midwives …, "When you act as midwives to the Hebrew women, and see them on the birthstool, if it is a boy, kill him; but if it is a girl, she shall live." That makes no sense at all. Even in ancient times people knew that to keep a race from multiplying you kill the women, not the men. But that wouldn’t have fit into the story. If Pharaoh had been killing the girls, there would be no explanation for why Moses, a boy baby, was set adrift in the makeshift basket.
Perhaps he was really an Egyptian? The Hebrews were determined that he was not, that he was of their own race, and so finally, When the child grew up, the nurse brought him to Pharaoh's daughter, and she took him as her son. She named him Moses, "because," she said, "I drew him out of the water." And there you have it. The Hebrew people were in Egypt because of Joseph, and, despite how deeply important the naming of a child was and is in the Jewish religion, Moses has an Egyptian name because he was named, not by his own people, but by an Egyptian princess. Problem solved.
When Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, "Who do people say that the Son of Man is?"
The disciples put forward a lot of good answers, all of them relating to the coming of the Messiah, names of those who it is expected will rise from the dead and walk among the living again when the Messiah comes. But then Jesus asks, “But who do you say that I am?"
Simon Peter replied, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the Living God.” And Jesus answered him, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father, in heaven. And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it.”
Simon names Jesus as the Messiah, the hope of Israel, the son of the One who created heaven and earth, and the very first thing that happens is that he is given a new name, a name that no one had ever had or even heard of before that moment. There is no record, before this event, of anyone using Petros, the Greek word that means “rock,” or “Cephas,” the same word in Aramaic, as a proper name. Peter really was the first person to have that name. And to give a person a new name was to alter fundamentally that person’s identity, relationships, and mission. To give a person his or her name was, in some way, to shape their destiny.
It still works that way: to confess Jesus as the Christ, as we do as we are baptized, is to be changed, it is to be given, by Him, a new name - it is to be given identity and mission in relationship to Him. In many Baptismal services, immediately before the Baptism itself, the sponsors are asked to “name this child.” It is no small thing to do so, because a name can shape a person’s destiny.
In Baptism, an adult who stood up for us because we were infants, confessed, like Simon-Peter, that we believe Jesus is the Son of God. For this confession of faith, we, again like Simon, were given a name, not just any name, but our Christian name, the name by which we will be recognized in heaven. When it comes to our true identity, the name of every Christian, like Peter’s name, is given to us in Baptism as a response to the gift of faith. That’s why our first name is also called our “Christian name.”
With our baptismal name we take on a great responsibility. Part of our name, part of the identity we receive from Jesus, is the same as Peter’s. He is the first rock of the edifice that the Lord (not Peter, but the Lord) is building. That structure is the Church. Peter is the first stone of a building, and upon him and the other Apostles, upon their faith and upon their person, Christ builds His church. And we, gathered here today, are the Church, not this building, but us. And so through us, and by us, Jesus continues to build. Through us, Jesus continues to be present in this world. This is the responsibility we have accepted, the gift we have been given at Baptism.
How often we forget that being given a name through Jesus takes us out of the secular world and places us into a new group, a new reality. Think about that – a new reality. Moses was drawn from the water and given a new name (we do not know what his Hebrew mother called him), and his destiny changed forever. Simon becomes Peter, and he is no longer a fisherman, but the bedrock of a new order, of the Church. We, who were named in Baptism, are now members incorporate in the Mystical Body that is the Church, the blessed company of all faithful people.
What does your name mean? (read list below)
But there is an even deeper meaning to having a Christian name. To be given a name in Baptism, a gift from Jesus, to have a Christian name, means to be one who gives one’s self, and so becomes a gift to the world in the Jesus’ Name. To be chosen, to be called, to be named as part of the glorious company of Christ’s Church, this is never done as a sign of privilege, but always as a mark for service; never for ourselves alone, but always for others
So, we are named—part of Christ’s church—and we are named servant, gift to the world. We are, as it was when we received the gift of Baptism, named as Christ’s own—forever.
Let us pray:
All praise and thanks to you, most merciful Father, for adopting us as your own children, for incorporating us into your holy Church, and for making us worthy to share in the inheritance of the saints in light; we thank you that by water and the Holy Spirit you have bestowed upon us the forgiveness of sin, and have raised us to the new life of grace. Sustain us, O Lord, in your Holy Spirit. Give us an inquiring and discerning heart, the courage to will and to persevere, a spirit to know and to love you, and the gift of joy and wonder in all your works. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.
Names
Alex - Alex is a gender-neutral name of Greek origin meaning "defender of humankind." In Biblical Names the meaning of the name Alexander is: One who assists “men”.
Ashley - The name Ashley has various interpretations in different contexts. For instance, in Hebrew, it means “God's gracious gift” while in Sanskrit, it means “snake” or “dragon”.
Cindy is a modern-day name - However, some biblical scholars believe that the name Cynthia can be traced back to the Hebrew name “Shoshana,” which means “lily.” The lily is mentioned several times in the Bible as a symbol of purity, beauty, and innocence.
David – Is a name of Hebrew origin, meaning “beloved” and “uncle.” This biblical title was popularized by the renowned King David, the second king of ancient Israel.
Howard - Possibly pulled from the Old Norse name Havard, Howard means “high guardian.” And borrowed from the Old German name Hughard, meaning “heart-brave,” Howard is derived from “heah” and “weard.” The word “heah” means “high” or “tall,” while “weard” means “protector” or “guardian.” Together, the name Howard implies a person who is tall and noble, with a strong sense of dedication towards protecting and caring for others.
Jannette - This feminine title is a form of the Scottish Janet, which ultimately derives from the Hebrew name John. With its faithful meaning, “God is gracious,”
Joyce - the meaning of the name Joyce is: Cheerful. Merry. From the name of 7th-century hermit St Judoc (St Judocus or St Josse), who was the son of a Breton king.
Karen - In Greece, the name Katharos was associated with the idea of spiritual purity, being connected to the Catholic concept of sanctity and the idea of being purified of sin. In Ireland, the name Katherine, from which Karen is derived, was given to children for its symbolic meaning of “pure” and “innocent.”
Ken – Is a name of Celtic origin. This strong name translates to “born of fire” and “handsome.”
Lee - In Christianity, the name Lee is associated with the concept of “light” and is often used as a metaphor for goodness, truth, and knowledge.
Linda – Beautiful, pretty, clean. In Christianity, Linda may be associated with the concept of purity or innocence.
Louise - Louise is a Christian name of English origin with multiple meanings, chief among them “famous warrior”.
Marie - The name Marie also has Hebrew origins being derived from Miryam, which is believed to come from the Egyptian element "myr," meaning "beloved." Miryam is also the biblical name of Moses's sister from the book of Exodus and is believed to mean "rebellious" and "wished-for child." Christians often associate the name with the Virgin Mary, the mother of Jesus Christ. In African cultures, the name Marie is associated with strong female leaders and feminine power. The name also has different meanings in different parts of the world, such as “star of the sea” or “beloved”.
Paula: In the Bible, the name Paula is not mentioned explicitly, but it is closely associated with Saint Paul. He was a key figure in spreading the teachings of Christianity and a great source of inspiration for many people. The name Paula, therefore, has come to represent the virtues of faith, humility, and perseverance.
Richard - The name Richard means “mighty ruler” or “brave ruler.”
Sally - Sally is a Hebrew baby girl name meaning “princess”. People with the name Sally are often known for their strong sense of intuition and their ability to connect with others on a deep level. They are often drawn to spiritual practices and may have a natural talent for healing or counseling.
Shandra - Meaning: “protector of humanity”. Sandra is a feminine name of Greek origin, both formidable and valiant. Also: An Indian name meaning "She who outshines the stars" Irish for "ring fort" like Killashandra which means "church of the ring fort". Also could be interpreted as "fortress of God" Sanskrit for "of the moon", "like the moon", or "moon-faced"
Virginia - Virginia translates to “maid, “virgin,” and “pure.” The name Virginia is not specifically mentioned in the Bible or other religious texts, but variations of the word “virgin” are. In Christianity, the Virgin Mary is an important figure, and the concept of virginity has been a crucial subject in the Christian religion throughout history.
Elise – God’s promise. In Hebrew: either oath of God, or God is satisfaction. Consecrated to God.