Last week Leonard discussed the 2nd commandment in his message titled “Who/What is your Idol?” Now we are going to discuss God’s name and how we should treat it. The thought: “Our words tell what’s in our hearts” will be considered.
To remember why we are looking at the The Ten Commandments, here is a quote from Gordon Fee & Douglas Stuart’s “How to Read the Bible Book by Book”.
“Exodus narrates the crucial matters that define Israel as a people in relationship to their God, Yahweh. As you read, therefore, watch especially for the three absolutely defining moments in Israel’s history, which cause this narrative with its embedding of portions of the law make sense: (1) God’s miraculous deliverance of His people from slavery, (2) the return of the presence of God as distinguishing His people from all other peoples on the earth, and (3) the gift of the law as the means of establishing His covenant with them.”1
Exodus 20:7 NIV
“You shall not misuse the name of the Lord your God, for the Lord will not hold anyone guiltless who misuses His name.”
Many of you will remember it better from the King James Version.
Exodus 20:7 KJV
“Thou shall not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain, for the Lord will not hold him guiltless that taketh His name in vain.”
God’s name: Yahweh (the one who exists eternally) or Jehovah or Adonai (my Lord), Elohim, Father God, Jesus Christ.
Lawrence O. Richard’s ‘The Bible Readers Companion’, gives us this thought:
“The “name” of the Lord, Yahweh, occurs 6,828 times in the O.T.! This is the personal name of Israel’s God. It is never used of a pagan deity. Thus God’s “name” conveys His uniqueness; the very essence of who He is. The Hebrew word translated “misuse” in the NIV, and “in vain” in other versions, means “nothingness,” or “an insubstantial thing.” We are never to speak of the Lord or use His name as if He were unreal or unimportant. We are to speak of Him with respect, as the One who has absolute priority in our lives.” 2
I wonder how much it pains God when we use His name flippantly or as an expletive? It definitely is disrespectful and shows no regard for the awesome being that God is.
Leviticus 19:12 NIV
Do not swear falsely by My name and so profane the name of your God. I am the Lord.
We use God’s name in anger, frustration or to impress. We also use our Lord’s name in promises “I swear to tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth, so help me God!” All of these are wrong – we are to use God’s name in praise and worship!
Henry H. Halley, in Halley’s Bible Handbook states:
“Reverence for God is the basis of the Ten Commandments. Jesus indicated that He considered it the elemental quality in man’s approach to God, and made it the first petition in the Lord’s Prayer. “Hallowed be Thy Name.”
It is surprising how many people, in their ordinary conversation, continually Blaspheme the Name of God, and use it in such a light and trivial way.” 3
Encyclopedia of the Bible tells us:
The “Law” reflects God’s character – His holiness, justice and goodness. It expresses His will. It gives His people the practical guidance they need in order to obey His command to ‘Be Holy, as I am Holy.’ 4
From Nelson’s Book of Stories comes this story.
Many years ago, a young newspaper publisher went for a walk in one of the lower-class neighborhoods of Gloucester, England. He was on his way to interview a man to be his gardener. But as the publisher Robert Raikes walked through the slums, he was surrounded by children, and he was horrified at the language they used. Even in their playing, these children swore and cussed and profaned the Lord’s name and the Lord’s words. His soul was so deeply disturbed by what he saw and heard on that day that he resolved to do something about it. And he did. He started a new institution, a new kind of school, a new ministry that, to this day, we call – Sunday School. 5
And now, many years later, our children are today learning why we should not use our Lord’s name as a swear word in Sunday School.
Kid’s jokes are cute but have great meaning sometimes. “Why did Noah almost not let the chickens on the ark? Because they used fowl language.”
We discussed God’s name and how we should treat it. The thought: “Our words tell what’s in our hearts” clearly gives an indication of how we see God. What we say portrays what we think! What does your language portray? Do you disrespect God or praise His name?
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