Behind the Name

Eli Cush Graham, born June 19, 2006 at 11:56 PM to the proud parents Kevin and Rachel Graham.

Our God is truly amazing. Sometimes the simplest choices have results that can astound our small minds. Kevin and Rachel have named their first child Eli Cush (see link to the right). Unbeknownst to them, the name they have chosen for their child has depths beneath it that boggle the mind. You see, Eli Cush, is in fact an anagram for Chisleu. No, that is not baby talk, but rather Hebrew. Chisleu is the ninth month of the Jewish ecclesiastical year, answering to a part of November with a part of December. Thus the child is born in the ninth month. Eli was conceived shortly before November (likely), and his presence not confirmed until just before the month of Chisleu. Though God had been forming him for a month, it was here that his parents learned of this new life and began to cherish it.

The name Eli is shared by the priest who guarded Samuel as a child. Eli means ascension. It can also mean Lord in Hebrew or Aramaic. Jesus cried out on the cross, “Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani?” We are more familiar with, “My Lord (Eli), My Lord, why have you forsaken me?” Samuel was the son of Hannah, a child of promise, promised to God by his barren mother. Eli took charge of the child and raised him as a priest of God.

A son was given to a woman who had not yet born a son; her heart longed for a child. God was faithful and a new life was created out of her sorrow. It was with joy that the child was discovered near Chisleu, the ninth month, and nine months later that the child was born. Just as Hannah promised her child to God, so is this child promised to God, by virtue of his conception and name alike. He is to be of a royal priesthood before his Lord. His parents are now charged with the instruction of this child, the raising up, the ascension, knowing that with this new joy comes a great responsibility.

To God be the glory, Amen.