A Good Name

Sesame Street has a fun song, “The Opposite Stuff,” to teach children the opposites: up and down, near and far, and loud and soft (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=StzK2CUdozw).

The prophet Daniel, too, has an interesting opposite:

“Many who sleep in a plateau of the earth will rise – some indeed for eternal life while others for insults, scattering, and eternal shame.” (Dan 12:2)

The opposite of “eternal life” isn’t always “eternal death.” For Daniel and the Hebrews, the opposite of eternal life is insult, scattering, and shame, not death. Two poetical books explain.

“A good name is desirable than great riches; it is greater than silver and gold.” (Prov 22:1)

“A good name is better than the best virgin olive oil; the day of death is greater than one’s birthday [because one has a greater chance to gain a good name by the time s/he dies than when s/he was born].” (Eccl 7:1)

For the Hebrews, “eternal life” was a code word for a good name that lasted through history.* Boaz, for example, had a whole book dedicated to him (i.e., Ruth), and he was listed in the Lord’s genealogy. On the other hand, the rightful relative, who could have married Ruth but didn’t, went unmentioned.

As Jesus was traveling through Judea, a “one” approached him, fell on his knee, and asked, “Good teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life [a good name]?” (Mark 10:17). Jesus wondered why he called him good since that was attributed to God alone (10:18). He or the man didn’t explain Jesus’s query. Instead, Jesus asked him further if he knew the commandments since keeping the commandment would give a person a good name (10:19). That man answered that he knew and kept the commandments wholeheartedly since youth (i.e., since he became “a son of the covenant” bar mitzvah).

Jesus was impressed with him and loved (agapao) him (10:21a). In Mark’s recollection, this was the only person Jesus loved. That young man was truly a covenant-keeper.**

Was there something more than love for God’s commandments? Yes. Jesus said,

“One item you have neglected. Go, sell whatever you have, and give them to the poor. Then you’ll have treasure in heaven. Then, follow me.” (10:21b).

Jesus rightfully saw that loving God had a co-equal element: loving people. The Shema, i.e., loving God (Deut 6:4–6), had a parallel – “Love your neighbor” (Lev 19:18). Jesus explicitly said so: Mark 12:30–33. That was why he instructed the man to sell everything, give them to the poor, and follow him. Loving God was good. But loving one’s neighbor brought him the “good name” (eternal life) he sought. People would remember his generosity and praise him.

Since that man had great wealth, land wealth (ktema), that he didn’t want to let sell, he went away sad and sorrowful (10:22). He couldn’t bring himself to sell his land to give it to the profits to the poor to gain a good name. Unlike the proverb – A good name is more desirable than great riches; it is greater than silver and gold” (Prov 22:1) – he chose silver and gold.

Centuries later, we don’t even know his name! He didn’t find the eternal life, a good name, he was seeking.***

If we desire people to remember us, we must be generous. Equally important to loving God and receiving his acceptance is loving people and receiving their acceptance.

* John uses “eternal life” differently.

** These were the only places Mark used agapao (10:21; 12:30–33)

*** Some scholars think this young man was Saul/Paul because Jesus loved him.