'Every one that is called by My name.'—ISAIAH xliii. 7.
Great stress is laid on names in Scripture. These two parallel and antithetic clauses bring out striking complementary relations between God and the collective Israel. But they are as applicable to each individual member of the true Israel of God.
I. What does God's calling a man by his name imply?
1. Intimate knowledge.
Adam naming the creatures.
Christ naming His disciples.
2. Loving friendship.
Moses, 'I know thee by name, and thou hast found grace in my sight.'
3. Designation and adaptation to work.
Bezaleel—Exodus xxxi. 2; Cyrus—ISAIAH xlv. 3; Servant of the
Lord—ISAIAH xlix. 1.