What Name Has He for Me?

Photo credit: NASA, ESA and The Hubble Heritage Team (STScI/AURA)

He named the demarcation of

His radiance “Day” from “Night”;

He called twin Thomas ‘Ditymus,’
And Jacob, ‘Israelite.’

He leads each of His starry host

from anonymity;

Oh ask the “Sons of Thunder” this:

"What name has He for me?"

-- K. Hartnett, March 2000

Lift up your eyes on high and see: who created these? He who brings out their host by number, calling them all by name, by the greatness of His might, and because He is strong in power, not one is missing.(Isaiah 40:26)
 
Hodge 301 - Astronomical Naming

This spectacular and beautiful image was taken by NASA’s Hubble Space Telescope.  It shows the central region of a star cluster alternately known as 30 Doradus, the Tarantula Nebula, and NGC 2070. Astronomical objects take on various names as they are cataloged formally and informally.  The name 30 Doradus reflects the fact that this cluster is found in the southern constellation of Dorado the Swordfish.  Stars within constellations are generally designated from brightest to faintest by the letters of the Greek alphabet;  hence, Alpha Centauri is the brightest star in the constellation of Centaurus.  The designation “NGC” identifies it as a member of the New General Catalog of faint non-stellar objects.  The more informal name “Tarantula Nebula” arose from its general appearance in small telescopes or binoculars.  Personal listings can also become widely accepted in astronomy,  such as in the case of the Charles Messier catalog, or this list by Paul Hodge.

He counts the number of stars; He gives names to all of them...His understanding is infinite. (Psalm147:4,5)

The God of the Old Testament is revealed as a God who loves to name things. Day, night, Earth, seas, Adam, Israel…all these are names the Lord chose for His creations. Jesus, as recorded in the New Testament, also seems to have enjoyed special nicknames for His friends.  Cephas He called Peter (rock); Thomas, was Didymus (twin) and He nicknamed the brothers James and John the “Sons of Thunder,” evidently a comment on the personality of their father, Zebedee.  This little poem is just a contemplation of this very intimate aspect of God’s transcendent, and omniscient (all knowing) nature.  Surely He who named all the stars  has a special name for each of us.