Naming Hope

Rachel was about to die, but with her last breath she named the baby Ben-oni (which means

“son of my sorrow”). The baby’s father, however, called him Benjamin (which means “son of my

right hand”).” Genesis 35:18 New Living Translation

Rachel’s story is bittersweet. She had so desperately wanted children. And God

answered her prayers with not one but two boys. But she dies after giving birth to the

second one. Her dying act is to name the child Ben-oni (Son of my sorrow). Imagine

being saddled with that name, forever being reminded that your birth caused you

mother’s death.

His father Jacob was also in sorrow. He had lost the love of his life. Certainly Ben-oni

was a fitting name to give in this situation. But Jacob didn’t choose to memorialize the

present sorrow. He didn’t choose to saddle his baby with a name that reflected his pain.

He chose to name the hope that he had for this child. Benjamin - Son of my right hand.

Benjamin – My right-hand man. Benjamin – My favorite son.

When we face any difficult situation, we have the same choices as Rachel and Jacob.

We can name the problems, dwell on the loss, and look to past. Or we can name the

hope, name to possibilities that God has in store for our future. What name will you give

to your present situation? Will you call it sorrow or call it hope?

May there be a little ‘Benjamin” in your life today – a sign of hope for a better tomorrow.

Mark Miller