As we find ourselves still in chapter 26 today we see our word for today used the most in the chapter, 6 times. שֵׁם name, standing, reputation, fame, how a person or thing is known. It is used 855 times in the Old Testament. The position or right to name something or someone is a sign of authority over what is named. This authority shows either ownership or a manger role entrusted by the owner to act on their behalf. God names Adam because he created him and as the creator Adam belongs to God. Then God does something interesting he gives this naming responsibility over to Adam to act on his behalf. Genesis 2:19-20 And whatever the man called every living creature, that was its שֵׁם name. The man gave שֵׁם names to all livestock and to the birds of the heavens and to every beast of the field.
This is exactly what we see in our chapter today in Genesis 26. Genesis 26:18 And Isaac dug again the wells of water that had been dug in the days of Abraham his father, which the Philistines had stopped after the death of Abraham. And he gave them the שֵׁם names that his father had given them. Genesis 26:20-22 So he called the שֵׁם name of the well Esek, because they contended with him. Then they dug another well, and they quarreled over that also, so he called its שֵׁם name Sitnah. And he moved from there and dug another well, and they did not quarrel over it. So he called its שֵׁם name Rehoboth, saying, “For now the Lord has made room for us, and we shall be fruitful in the land.” Genesis 26:33 That same day Isaac's servants came and told him about the well that they had dug and said to him, “We have found water.” He called it Shibah; therefore the שֵׁם name of the city is Beersheba to this day.
Then we see our word used by Isaac to address God himself as the owner of everything. Genesis 26:25 So he built an altar there and called upon the שֵׁם name of the Lord and pitched his tent there. Just like Abraham called on the name of the LORD now we see his son Isaac doing the same because God is the ultimate authority over everyone and everything. We are not talking about delegated authority no he has authority inherent to who he is. The word is used this way throughout the entire Bible. Exodus 9:16 But for this purpose I have raised you up, to show you my power, so that my שֵׁם name may be proclaimed in all the earth. Psalm 8:1 O Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your שֵׁם name in all the earth! You have set your glory above the heavens. This continues on into the New Testament. Ephesians 1:20-22 He worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come. And he put all things under his feet and gave him as head over all things to the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all. Now that’s what I call authority. So God is the authority that is authority is inherent inside of himself.
A great example of how God delegates people to act on his behalf is the great commission he gave the church. Matthew 28:18 And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.” Jesus is the authority and he authorizes us baptize in the name of which means with the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit’s authority. I will close with this great passage that describes Jesus’ authority over all. Philippians 2:9-11 Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
