What’s in a name?
May 3, 2009
Exodus 20:7
I would like to start with a little game. This is a word association game, and it will be fun. When I mention a name or a place, I want you to say your first thought, don’t scream it, just say it nicely. Okay, you’ve got the rules, now here we go . . .
SLIDE The Indiana Pacers CLICK The Indianapolis Colts
SLIDE Larry Bird CLICK Dennis Rodman
SLIDE Motel 6 CLICK The Hyatt Hotel
SLIDE Abraham Lincoln CLICK Adolf Hitler
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When we hear these name, places or teams, very distinct images come to mind. We come up with a variety of thoughts and even emotions. When you hear the name of a loved one, you feel joy and happiness; and a smile comes to your face. But when you hear the name of someone who has hurt you very different feelings and images come to your heart and mind, don’t they.
You see, whether we are right or not about our perception, our perception is our reality. It’s just like what we’re going through in the world right now about the swine flu. People all over the world think you catch swine flu from a pig, which is why Egypt was wanting to kill all 300,000 + pigs in their country. But we’ve learned that you don’t catch swine flu from a pig.
You see, names have great meaning and significance. We are identified by our names, and frankly we don’t like anyone mispronouncing our names, or calling us by the wrong names. Although, one of the joys of having my last name is the fact that most telephone salespeople mispronounce my name, so I know where that call’s heading.
In biblical times, names had a very special meaning. Your name often described your character and nature. People had their names changed according to their character and talents. We see Jacob means to supplant. He supplanted his brother Esau. Esau meant hairy, which he was. Abraham meant father of many nations. Peter means the rock. And that list goes on.
When someone hears your name, they immediately think of certain images of who you are. So, when we think about God and this 3rd commandment, we must understand ~
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What’s in a name? Everything!!
Everything is predicated by your name, because your name is who you are. It’s what people think about when they hear your name, it’s what your first thoughts are about others when you hear their names.
In the very same way, when we think about God, God’s character and nature are wrapped up in His name. The question is: How can we bring honor to God’s name? How can we cause people to think good things about God when they hear His name, or simply when they hear us speak?
Today we are looking at the 3rd commandment. It is just one verse, and can be found in Exodus 20:7 ~ The NIV reads,
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You shall not misuse the name of the LORD your God, for the LORD will not hold anyone guiltless who misuses his name.
You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain, for the LORD will not hold him guiltless who takes His name in vain. – NKJV
This is serious stuff with the LORD. He does not want any one of us misrepresenting, misusing or using His name in an empty manner. If we’re going to take up His Name, and be called Christians - Christ followers, then we better represent His name well.
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In Leviticus 24:10-15, we read a story about two men who got into a fight, during the fight one of the men basically cursed God’s name. Ultimately, God told Moses 15 If anyone curses his God, he will be held responsible; 16 anyone who blasphemes the name of the LORD must be put to death. The entire assembly must stone him.
Now, aren’t you glad we live in a different day and age? Otherwise, we’d run out of stones. This story illustrates just how serious God is about His name. Profanity has no place in the speech of those who consider themselves followers of God. My friends, if you use God’s name in your speech, then make sure you use it appropriately and reverently.
This means, you don’t use God’s name in vain. When you use God’s name in vain, this means you are invoking God’s name in worthless and empty ways. There is no substance to what you are saying. This also means you don’t ask God to damn something. Think about what you’re asking God to do? You’re asking God to do something which is totally not in His nature. You want God to destroy something or someone just because it didn’t work to your advantage. You want God to cast something to hell for eternity. Is that what you really want to happen?
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We also don’t say things like, “oh my gosh.” Because we all know this is a euphemism for saying, “oh my God.” We’re simply substituting something we think is less offensive or derogatory for something which is. To say ‘darn it’ is equally offensive because it’s a replacement for asking God to damn something.
I could go on and on about what we should not be saying and how we should revere the name of God, but before we talk about a positive in this, this commandment is also a reminder about cursing, using those words which gets our mouths washed out with soap.
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In James 3:9-10, James tells us “9With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God’s likeness. 10Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers, this should not be.”
One aspect of cursing is that wherever we go, whatever we do, we represent God. We are Christians, and we are a reflection of our God. Our beliefs, our faith, our trust are wrapped up in who we worship. So, when we use swear words at our enemies, at our friends, at our spouse or children, we are wrong. If what you say does not bring glory and honor to Jesus Christ, you have sinned. We would all say we know that, but it’s not always so easy to stop swearing.
Sometimes we swear because we always have or maybe we want to be included in a group of friends at school or work and we think that’s the way. Frankly, I don’t care what the excuse is, when you direct those words at another person, you’ve sinned against that person, but more than that, if you hurt that person, you’ve sinned against God . . . and according to Leviticus 24, you should be stoned.
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In fact, originally the Hebrew scriptures were written with no vowels, only consonants. Eventually, the Jewish people became concerned that people would forget how to read the scriptures if the vowels were not present.
So they added the vowels to the consonants. When they were inserting these vowels around the consonants, they came to the four consonants for the name of God which was revealed to Moses, "YHWH." They felt His name was too holy to disturb in any way. They revered it so highly that they did not insert vowels there. Eventually the Jews did not attempt to even pronounce the name "Yahweh" lest they profane it.
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When Yahweh appeared in a passage, the reader would say Hashem, which is Hebrew for “The Name.” In fact, I was taught that when you write the word God, G-O-D, you write it like this, G - D. This is because most likely that piece of paper will be thrown out and you are throwing out the name of God. And you know what, it has always stuck with me. When I took notes in classes, I always wrote G for God and JC for Jesus Christ. I still do that today, and do not like to delete the name of God from my computer when I need to rewrite a sentence.
Even the writers of the Hebrew Bible revered the name of God. In ancient times, when a scribe would come to that word, he would rise and bathe himself. Then, he would put on clothes that had never been worn. And then he would go and get a quill which had never had a drop of ink on it. Only then would he write God’s name and, after he had finished, he would discard that quill which would never be used again. That is how deeply the name of God was revered in the ancient Hebrew world.
How different it is today! These days God’s name is used flippantly to express anger or surprise. You can hardly watch a movie, or pick up a novel, or even listen to the radio without hearing God’s name used in a casual, irreverent way.
In the midst of all that we are not to do, we do need to know that there are some things we must do. SLIDE Colossians 3:17 says “whatever we do or say, we are to do it in the name of Jesus.” When you are talking to a friend, singing, preaching, praying, joking, or playing, remember Jesus is right there with you. This means we should not be gossiping, spreading rumors, or making promises we do not plan to keep. We should not be telling crude and tasteless jokes, instead we should be praising and glorifying God with all that we say and do.
We find salvation in the name of Jesus. This is the best use of the name of God.
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Acts 4:12 says, “there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved.”
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Philippians 2 tells us, “9God exalted Jesus to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, 10that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”
Romans 10:13 says, “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” By confessing with our mouth and believing in our hearts - we are saved. Praise God for that!
Think of the names of Jesus from Isaiah, “Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, and Prince of Peace.” Jesus is the “Great Shepherd.”
What do you think about when you hear the name of God? The Bible has so many names for God. That’s because it’s impossible to capture the full character of God in any one attempt.
So we read of God’s name
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Genesis 22—Jehovah Jireh: The Lord will provide
Ezekiel 48—Jehovah Shammah: The Lord is there
Jeremiah 23—Jehovah Tsidqenu: The Lord our righteousness
Genesis 17 —El Shaddai: God almighty
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Exodus 15 — Jehovah Rapha: The Lord our healer
Exodus 17— Jehovah Nissi: The Lord is my banner / The Lord our victory
Exodus 20 - El Kanna - God is a jealous God
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Judges 6—Jehovah Shalom: The Lord is peace
Psalm 23 - Yahweh Roi - The Lord is my shepherd
Matthew 1:21 - Jesus - Yeshua - The Lord saves.
Matthew 1:22 - Immanuel - God with us.
So, what does all of this mean? Very simply, we need to be wise about our speech. What we say and how we say has direct correlation to our relationship with God. It means we don’t misuse, make idle oaths, or use God’s name in empty and worthless ways. It means when we talk to others we don’t swear as if it means nothing.
Instead we should honor the name of God. God’s name represents life to you and I. And there are many ways we can use God’s name in our speech that will be a blessing. The Bible gives us ways to honor God’s name by what we say.
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We can “call on the name of the Lord” (Genesis 12:8).
“bless in the name of the Lord” (Psalm 129:8)
“tell the truth in the name of the Lord” (1 Kings 22:16)
“exalt the name of the Lord” (Isaiah 24:15)
“speak in the name of the Lord” (Jeremiah 26:16)
“praise the name of the Lord” (Psalm 7:17) and
“declare the name of the Lord” (Psalm 102:1).
There are a lot of ways we can use God’s name in our speech that bring Him honor. Let’s make sure we honor God through our speech and show the world who Jesus is in our lives.
