To every human that lives on the face of the earth, a name is given either by parents, self, society, or circumstance. Today, even animals such as dogs, monkeys, cats, and other pets are called specific names.
    A name is defined as "a word or a combination of words by which a person, place, thing, or object of thought is designated, called, or known." It could be an appellation, title, or epithet applied descriptively in honor or abuse. The question, what is thy name, is a question every human whether born again or not should answer.
    In Gen. 21:3, Abraham called the name of his son, Isaac, God given name. When the twins of Isaac arrived, he and his wife consulted together and named them by circumstances and situation descriptively. Gen. 25:25-26 says "And the first came out red, all over like a hairy garment, and they called his name Esau. And after that, came his brother out, and his hand took hold of Esau's heel; and his name was called Jacob. It is so evident here that circumstance dictated the names of these God given twins. However the parents failed to inquire of God what their names should be even after God revealed their nature before birth.
    Jacob as a supplanter and a deceiver received godly blessings from his father Isaac under a different name Esau, unknown to Jacob, a wanderer. No wonder his life was full of confusion for twenty years. He faced many challenges in life. Abraham as a good father worked in the plan of God for his son Isaac and his house-hold, so it only took Isaac two days to get a wife, without any difficulties, but for Jacob it was not so, Jacob served in Laban's house for twenty years, his wages were changed ten times (instability), had eleven sons and a daughter all with hardship. Many today, though in the plans of God, are going through tumultuous life not ordained by God because they failed to be what God ordained them to be.
    In Gen. 32:24-27 Jacob wrestled with an unknown man until the breaking of the day, thereafter a dialogue ensued, and the question came, "what is thy name?" and he said Jacob. We all need to ask ourselves, do I bear my own name?
    Jacob until this visitation had lived under the influence of a name that was not heaven ordained, and thus had impacted his life negatively. He was by name a surplanter, he took the birthright and blessings of Esau (a wanderer) and his life became complicated.
    Brethren, it cannot be over emphasized, that the name of Jacob was parent given based on circumstances. There was a man called Jabez, 1Chronicle 4:9-10, who also was a man named after circumstances. I was married for four years without a child, and family members began to insinuate all sorts of things about me and my wife. As a diligent young man serving God with all that I am, I reminded God his words of no barrenness. God asked me a question, "what are the names of your wife?", and I told him. He further asked, "What is the meaning of her middle name?" I told God, he said "go and investigate the reason for that name." I did and discovered it was a name given under circumstances and the connection was that the name was given in honor of a relation that passed away about the time of her birth. The relation never had a child until death. With this revelation, we prayerfully took a decision and approached my in-laws and thereafter jointly agreed never to call her that name again. We expunged the name form her names. Nine months after, God gave us our first child.
    I don't know what names you bear, or per adventure you already have a change of name since you migrated to America, living a deceitful life like Jacob or have been given a name by your parents without necessarily knowing the meaning and its attendant implications or the society is calling you a name by your circumstances just to abuse and ridicule you. No matter how long you have suffered or wandered, God can still turn things around for your good, if only you will allow him.
    The unknown man asked Jacob "what is thy name?" He never pretended, he told him the truth, I am Jacob. Because he told the truth, after a night long spiritual battle, God told him, "thy name shall be called no more Jacob, but Israel; for as a prince has thou power with God and with men, and has prevailed." It was after this encounter that his long time brother and enemy Esau came with peace and finally separated his bond with the name Esau in the spiritual and physical realm.
    Jabez cried unto the Lord in 1Chronicles 4:10. "Enough of all these sorrows, pains and wants." God granted him that which he requested.
    Again brethren, what is thy name? Let us come to God and bear out our names. Mothers and fathers, let us prayerfully give names to our children, not just any name(s). Shalom.