On Monday afternoon, I did what I have wanted to do since I was fifteen years old. I finally got my first tattoo. The word I had planned may have changed a few times in the last five years, but the placement, as well as the heart and the meaning to my story have remained the same. I got the word “hephzibah” in beautiful cursive on my left wrist.
Hephzibah is from Isaiah 62:
that the mouth of the LORD will bestow.
You will be a crown of splendor in the LORD’s hand,
a royal diadem in the hand of your God.
No longer will they call you Deserted,
or name your land Desolate.
But you will be called Hephzibah,
and your land Beulah;
for the LORD will take delight in you,
and your land will be married.
As a young man marries a maiden,
so will your sons marry you;
as a bridegroom rejoices over his bride,
so will your God rejoice over you. “
-Isaiah 62:1-5
At first, I thought that this was written only to Israel, but then I realized it was directed towards all of God’s people (the church) and that His people included me. When I realized that, I was absolutely wrecked by the picture of my father’s love for me.
Like the passage says, I deserve the names “Forsaken” and “Desolate”. I deserve to be abandoned by God after everything I have done in this life to disobey his perfect commands. I do not deserve a second chance or a new name, but that is exactly what my God has given me.
In the Bible times, there was power behind a name. A name strongly influenced a person’s identity and a new name meant transformation. For example, God changed Abram’s name to Abraham, which means “father of a multitude” to symbolize His promise that he would father many nations. It signified a spiritual blessing and a change in his identity. In this passage, by giving His people a new name, He is signifying a transformation in our identity. We no longer have to be identified as the adulterous people who constantly sin against Him. Instead, because of His great love and mercy, he calls us Hephzibah (my delight is in her) and Beulah (married). We have been made new and our Father delights in each of us so incredibly much.
The other form of the word is Hafzbah. Hafz means “guarding” or “taking care of”, so the Lord not only delights in us, but he protects us and takes care of us, like a groom cares for and watches over his wife.
Over the years, I have given myself countless names that I honestly believed identified who I was.
Messed up. Annoying. Emo. Hurtful. Sarcastic. Stupid.
With this tattoo on my wrist, I am reminded every day that the Lord has promised me a second chance, a new life, and a new name. My identity is no longer in my past or the lies I believed about myself, but in what my Father says that I am.
I am never alone (Psalm 139:7-10)
I am pure (Isaiah 1:18)
I am a child of God (John 1:12)
I am beautiful (Psalm 139:14)
I am created in His image (Genesis 1:17)
I am an heir of God (Romans 8:17)
I am restored (1 Peter 5:10)
I am a disciple and friend of God (John 15:15)
I am forgiven (John 3:16)
I am a new creation (2 Corinthians 5:17)
I am His pure and spotless bride.
I am protected.
The creator of this universe desires intimate relationship with me.
I am deeply known.
I am deeply loved.
I am delighted in.
I am Hephzibah
(and so are all of His precious children)
“The Lord your God is with you; the mighty One will save you. He will rejoice over you. You will rest in his love; he will sing and be joyful about you.”
-Zephaniah 3:17
