Desert creatures will meet with hyenas, and wild goats will bleat to each other; there the night creatures will also lie down and find for themselves places of rest. – Isaiah 34:14

Today's Scripture Reading (May 28, 2026): Isaiah 34

Names. Sometimes I think we put too much thought into them, and sometimes maybe not enough. And as strange as our names can be, it might be surprising that there are illegal names, as in you are not allowed to name your baby with these words. In various parts of the United States, you are not allowed to name your child with a title, like King or Queen. While Jesus is permitted, the names Christ and Messiah are also forbidden. You are not allowed to name your child Santa Claus, which is probably a good thing; I can't imagine going to school with that name. You also cannot name your child Adolf Hitler, although I am not sure why I would want to name my child that. Not all of these names are illegal in all states. Adolf Hitler Campbell was born in New Jersey without anyone protesting the choice of name at birth, although there were negative reactions a little later. But no one had the authority to stop them from using that name.

But there are legal names that I also question. Some of them are beautiful, which is probably why our children bear the moniker. But I still wonder if we should have thought through these names a little more. One of those names is Neveah. Neveah is a beautiful name, and I apologize if it is your name or the name of someone close to you. Neveah is the word 'heaven' spelled backward. My question is: Does that mean it is the opposite of heaven? And if it contains that connotation, why would we want to place that name on our little girls?

Another pretty name is Lilith. We choose Lilith because we think the name is pretty. Maybe we choose the name in a spirit of rebellion, after all, the Mythical Lilith is the goddess of rebellion. According to some myths, Lilith was Adam's first wife, but she refused to submit to Adam, so she was cast out and replaced with Eve. For every woman who has struggled with ornery men, Lilith might be an appropriate name.

But Lilith is also the name of a night demon that haunts the desolate places in the dark, especially in the land of Edom. And it is that meaning that we find in Isaiah. The word Isaiah uses, which we have translated as "night creatures," is literally Lillith (or lee-leeth). Isaiah speaks of the land of Edom as empty and desolate. Edom will become a place that is empty of human presence, and is therefore filled with creatures of the night, both animals and demons; a place where Lillith is free to roam and to cause her own brand of mischief.

Tomorrow's Scripture Reading: Isaiah 35

Personal Note: Happy Birthday to my wife, Nelda.