Since we ended 2023 with “Judah”, it ought to be possible to begin 2024 with “Judah” as well. After all we live in a continuum and haven’t really lost any time, have we? Scarcely have we said, “so long” to 2023 at 23:59:59 on 31 December before we find ourselves welcoming 2024 with a “Hi ya” at 00:00:00 hours. Besides, keep in mind that the meaning of Judah is “praise the Lord“. So, it cannot be inappropriate anytime (if in doubt, just check with Job). Also (in case you didn’t know it already with your human intelligence) you have it on the authority of ChatGPT that it is one of the most frequently occurring names in the Bible, proudly rubbing shoulders with such greats as David, Abraham and Moses.
But this is curious. The name “Jesus” figures nowhere in the vaunted list above. But you can bet your last dollar that it is the most significant name in all of history “whereby we must be saved“. Watch:
Once we get this all-important message, we can turn our attention back to “Judah”.
One particular verse that I frequently call up to surface to occupy my mind, whenever I feel unequal to the demands placed on me by a particular situation, is actually a play on Exodus 31:2. The verse reads:
“See, I have called by name Bezaleel the son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah” and it goes on “And I have filled him with the spirit of God, in wisdom, and in understanding, and in knowledge, and in all manner of workmanship, 4 To devise cunning works, to work in gold, and in silver, and in brass, 5 And in cutting of stones, to set them, and in carving of timber, to work in all manner of workmanship.”
Big deal, you say. There are plenty of similar verses in the Bible peppered with such promises. But try a little trick: as you read the verse, just elide the portion in red. Now
Whom is He calling by name: Judah
Whom is He filling with the spirit of God: Judah
Whom is He equipping with wisdom, and in understanding, and in knowledge, and in all manner of workmanship: Judah
Judah – yes, that’s me. But it could be you, you and you. In fact, just about anybody …….. if you are available for service in the kingdom of God.
Bezaleel was.
Remember, he was just one in some two point four million people in the exodus. Meaning, he was just anybody, actually a nobody made to count as somebody by the call of God, with all its endowment.
Just who do you think you are?
A nobody
Now, that’s great place to start the New Year!
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