Have you ever considered the name change of Abram and Sarai? In Genesis 17, it is written that Abram is 99 years old, The Lord APPEARED to Abram!! And God speaks.

“I am God Almighty; Walk before Me, and be blameless. I will establish My covenant between Me and you, And I will multiply you exceedingly.” 

What did Abram do? He fell on his face! The fear of the Lord as reverential awe!!Talk about being undone. Can you even imagine it? As I type, I feel it in my bones, like fire.

God keeps on speaking….

“As for Me, behold, My covenant is with you, And you will be the father of a multitude of nations. No longer shall your name be called Abram, But your name shall be Abraham; For I have made you the father of a multitude of nations.”

That is not all that God spoke to Abram. However, this is what I was drawn to. Again, One of the last times I read through Scripture, I highlighted this. Again, this time, I sensed I needed to do more than highlight it.

“Then God said to Abraham, “As for Sarai your wife, you shall not call her name Sarai, but Sarah shall be her name.“”

Let’s take a closer look at the fifth letter of the Hebrew alphabet, “hey”, also spelled “hei” or just “he”. Because the Hebrew language is alphanumeric, it is assigned a numerical value. Therefore, since it is the fifth letter, it is given the numerical value 5.

In a previous post, I had mentioned how the Hebrew language also has pictographs associated with each letter. “Hey” is shown in a pictograph as a stick figure with arms raised, as in behold. What does behold mean? In the dictionary, we find it mean to see or observe. Yet, Biblically, I believe there is so much more to that word. A deeper or intent observation. One that requires more attention, more care, as if what is being shown is of significance. Like “pay attention” with awe and reverence in order to know.

It amazes me that this occurred when Abraham was 99 years old and Sarah was 89 years old. Something happened when their names changed. Something significant. We are even told in Genesis 18:11 that Sarah was beyond childbearing age. At the same time, according to Genesis 17, when God was still speaking, He made His covenant with Abraham to be fruitful, a father to nations that kings will come forth from. An everlasting covenant. In Genesis 20, King Abimelech sees Sarah and wants her for his wife. At 90 years old, before Isaac’s birth, a king looks upon her and what does he see? Behold, the newly named Sarai is Sarai-hey. I have to wonder if God not only supernaturally restored Sarah’s womb, but her whole physical being.

What about Abraham? What changed besides his name? With a little more digging, I discovered the sound of the ‘hey’ is similar to h in hit. It’s considered to be the sound of breath. Therefore, the letter ‘hey’ is said to represent the breath of God. Abram’s name was changed by God Himself to contain the breath of God. Abraham was a changed man, as if He breathed on him like Adam. Or when Jesus breathed on the disciples and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit.” (John 20:22)

Abraham was Abram with a new spirit. God had made the promise to Abram multiple times to bless him and make him into a great nation (Gen. 12:2, Gen. 13:15-16, Gen. 15:18, and Gen. 17:1-5). Now, the Holy Spirit was with Abraham….and Sarah. I believe this is how Abraham had the power, strength, grace, courage and fortitude to get all the way to putting Isaac, his promise, on the altar of sacrifice. Abraham had been empowered by Holy Spirit. This is grace. [Note: In a previous blog, I wasn’t sure how the number 5 was connected to grace.]

But recognize that this did not make Abraham nor Sarah perfect. He/she had a new spirit, just like us, when we accept(believe) and confess(repent) Jesus the Christ as Lord and Savior. They had heart (soul) work that still needed to be done.

I am also reminded that we will one day receive a new name.

As I was going through this searching Scripture, I found a nugget that was rather interesting to me. We are first introduce to Abram in Genesis 11, as a descendant of Noah’s son, Shem. Shortly after that, as we read Scripture, in Genesis 14, Melchizedek, king of Salem brought out bread and wine! There was a time when I studied Melchizedek because I was intrigued and wanted to seek what I could find. I believe He was Jesus. That is the revelation God gave me, years ago. But now, as I am writing about Abram and his name being changed to Abraham, I am once again struck by awe. Jesus had to first appear to Abram in order for him to have an encounter with Holy Spirit in Genesis 17. Not only did Jesus appear to him, Jesus shared the communion elements with him. Bread and wine. His Body and Blood. BEHOLD, The Lamb of God…..John 1:29.

I want to encourage you! As you read Scripture, if and when something stirs within you or is highlighted to you, pause. Stop and mediate on it. Ask God, “what are You wanting to show me or reveal to me? Something new? Some correction? Be willing to let Him teach you and reveal the hidden treasure that has been there all along.