The fancy term I just used, “nominative of address,” just means that someone has spoken to you!

Here’s the first example in Scripture, best I can find: “And the LORD God called unto ADAM, and said unto him, Where art thou?” Genesis 3:9

But this morning I am particularly interested in the times the Bible repeats names, a twofold (double) nominative of address!

The first of which occurred when God stopped Abraham from slaughtering his only son Isaac! “And the angel of the LORD called unto him out of heaven, and said, Abraham, Abraham: and he said, Here am I.” Genesis 22:11, King James Version.

The second concerns Jacob, when God led him to Egypt with his family, thus preserving the little Nation of Israel for four centuries! “And God spake unto Israel in the visions of the night, and said, Jacob, Jacob. And he said, Here am I.” Genesis 46:2

Next comes Moses! When God called that giant of a man to serve Him, to lead the Israelites to freedom! “And when the LORD saw that he turned aside to see, God called unto him out of the midst of the bush, and said, Moses, Moses. And he said, Here am I.” Exodus 3:3

God getting His Word to young Samuel, the Lord still pastoring (shepherding) Israel the Nation! “And the LORD came, and stood, and called as at other times, Samuel, Samuel. Then Samuel answered, Speak; for thy servant heareth.” 1 Samuel 3:10

I notice a trend here … God speaking or calling a name “twice” … always occurs at a critical moment in history, or in that person’s life!

Even ladies are so kindly treated, though in the midst of a patriarchal society. “And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things.” A Text I preached in Revival two nights ago, Luke 10:41. The Lord here was gently teaching Martha (whom He loved) a very important lesson!

Yet another critical occurrence! “And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat.” Luke 22:31, bracing Peter for hard times ahead.

Here’s a major event! “And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?” The day Saul of Tarsus was saved, Acts 9:4.

Here are some other Texts where “epizeuxis” is used by the Holy Spirit, writing the Bible. It’s a Greek word, essentially. It simply means “to join together.” In our Lesson, joining a person’s name together “twice” in immediate succession.

Matthew 7:21-22, teaching a Truth that could keep a soul out of Hell! “Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.”

A very sad usage: “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not!” Matthew 23:37

God’s Name is twice called during the greatest Event the world has ever known, the Cross of Calvary. “And at the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani? which is, being interpreted, MY GOD, MY GOD, why hast thou forsaken me?” Quoting Mark 15:34.

Some of these Accounts are, of course, repeated in the Synoptic Gospels, as you would expect.

What’s the point of all this?

God loves us enough not only to call us, but to doubly call us!

God knows how to emphasize truth, to accent it!

And surely we are to deduce this …

God, through His Word, wants each of us now to learn the critical significance of His persistent calling in our lives!

Wow!

Listen folks, when He is calling your name!

— Dr. Mike Bagwell

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