It had never occurred to me that I would ever change my name. I like my name. Many Christian prophets have said many things about my life due to the meaning of my Christian name. My mother loved my name and she alone gave me my name. In Latin, my name means,"Appearance of G-d." In the Greek, my name means, "Theophany." In the Hebrew...there is no such translation. So...now that we are Messianic, even though it is not required, I am considering a Jewish name.
Our Rabbi suggested that I read my Parsha and see if there is a name that calls to me. Well, Tzipporah is mentioned in there and I love that name. It means "bird" in Hebrew. Her story is also interesting that she was a single mom of two boys for a time as she and Moses were separated for awhile. I was a single mom of two boys for a long while and though our situations were very different, nevertheless, it is an interesting perspective. A name that I may consider.
In my searching, I have found some interesting things. One of the most memorable "Theophanies" was the burning bush. Here is the passage:
"And the Angel of the LORD appeared to him in a flame of fire from the midst of a bush. So he looked, and behold, the bush was burning with fire, but the bush was not consumed. Then Moses said, “I will now turn aside and see this great sight, why the bush does not burn.”
So when the LORD saw that he turned aside to look, God called to him from the midst of the bush and said, “Moses, Moses!”
And he said, “Here I am.”
Then He said, “Do not draw near this place. Take your sandals off your feet, for the place where you stand is holy ground.” Moreover He said, “I am the God of your father—the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.” And Moses hid his face, for he was afraid to look upon God."
So when the LORD saw that he turned aside to look, God called to him from the midst of the bush and said, “Moses, Moses!”
And he said, “Here I am.”
Then He said, “Do not draw near this place. Take your sandals off your feet, for the place where you stand is holy ground.” Moreover He said, “I am the God of your father—the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.” And Moses hid his face, for he was afraid to look upon God."
Exodus 3:2-6
Why G-d chose to reveal Himself in a bush...who can really say? Some people say that it was a foreshadowing of the coming Messiah that would wear the crown of thorns. Others say it was simply a really good way to get Moses attention. As for myself, I don't pretend to understand it all. Yet, I know that The King and Creator of the Universe is able to work in ways that we are just not able to understand with our pea brains. We are finite, He is infinite.
In seeing the various theophonies throughout the Word of G-d, the burning bush really does stand out to me. The Hebrew word for bush is Seneh. The bush is such a lowly object in and of itself, yet when G-d choose to use it for this purpose...it gained a whole new meaning. Just by doing it's job...growing where the seed fell, and surviving the harsh climate of the Middle East...G-d used that little bush to save a nation. The Word that came forth inspired a leader to lead. The very soil that provided nutrients to that little bush became Holy ground. The whole concept is incredible to fathom.
So in looking at this, I am contemplating the name Seneh...Bush. As a reminder that G-d can even use the insignificant things to bring Him glory and fulfill His plan. Nothing is laid in stone that I would choose a Jewish name, but it is an interesting thought to ponder.
