“Revering God’s Name” Exodus 20:7
We have been studying some of the threads of the Gospel in the Old Testament as the Drama of God’s salvation has unfolded throughout history. We are looking at the Ten Commandments and today we examine the third commandment from Exodus 20:7; Let’s read Exodus 20:1-7:
"And God spoke all these words, saying: 2 "I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage. 3 You shall have no other gods before Me. 4 "You shall not make for yourself a carved image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth; 5 you shall not bow down to them nor serve them. For I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children to the third and fourth generations of those who hate Me, 6 but showing mercy to thousands, to those who love Me and keep My commandments. 7 "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.”
God’s Name is to be Honored
Some lines from Shakespeare are very renowned and used often. Juliet says this to Romeo: “What’s in a name? That which we call a rose, by any other word would smell as sweet.” (“A rose by any name smells the same.”) For the people in Shakespeare’s story, a name was insignificant for Romeo and Juliet compared to their deep relationship, but that is not the case with God’s Name. The third commandment given to us by the One True Holy God is this: “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.” If you believe in the God who created all things and revealed Himself as the “I AM” God, then He alone is to be worshiped. The Everlasting Almighty Holy God teaches the manner in which He is to be worshiped and that His name is to be revered and honored.
The ancient Hebrew scribes took this commandment so seriously that whenever they wrote God’s name, they would wash their hands before and after transcribing it. After 200 AD, Jews would not even speak God’s Name for fear of breaking the third commandment. What a contrast to today’s society where OMG is habitually used in texts and used in TV and movies so often that it sickens the heart. (“Oh, my God” is the expression and I don’t even like to use it as an illustration. Some other euphemisms are “golly”, “gee”, “Oh my gosh”, “doggone”.)
God’s choice of Hebrew words in this commandment is very important in helping us to understand this command; Let me explain some of the words used in this verse.
1. “The Hebrew word “nasa”, translated “you shall not take," means to “lift up”. It is widely used to describe “willful misuse or manipulation of an item or idea.” It is used both figuratively and literally. Here are some of the ways it is used: to lift up your hand in taking an oath, to lift up one’s head as in restoration to honor or joy, to lift up the eyes as in love or desire of men or of God, to lift up your voice as in weeping, praying or singing. Another way it is used is in “carrying” guilt or punishment, but the third category of the same word stressed “the taking away” or forgiveness of sin and guilt.) The idea is this: Do not “lift up” God’s Name inappropriately. Do not misuse His Name.
2. “The Hebrew word for "name," “shem”, also means reputation, fame or glory. “Name” in the Old Testament included a description of character and set one person apart from another. The word, “shem”, also suggests something high or elevated, implying that God’s name is majestic and excellent. Psalm 8:9 proclaims that truth: “O LORD, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth!” God’s name marks Him as the most outstanding in all of the universe. His name signifies everything about His glorious nature, His reputation and character, and distinctiveness, setting Him apart from all other beings as the Only One Eternal and Everlasting God; God’s very essence is concentrated in His name.
3. Misusing the name of God is clarified by the final phrase "in vain," translated from the Hebrew word “shav”; “Shav” is a noun meaning "emptiness, nothingness, vanity, emptiness of speech, lying, or worthlessness." Using the Lord’s name “in vain” is to speak of God with irreverence or disrespect, speaking of God in an unworthy or frivolous manner. The name of the Lord is holy in that same way that He is holy. His name is a representation of His glory, His majesty, and His supreme deity. We are to esteem and honor His name as we revere and glorify God Himself. To do any less is to take His name in vain.
“There is a larger sense in which people today take the Lord’s name in vain. Those who name the name of Christ, who pray in His name, and who take His name as part of their identity, but who deliberately and continually disobey His commands, are taking His name in vain. Jesus Christ has been given the name above all names, at which every knee shall bow (Philippians 2:9-10), and when we take the name “Christian” upon ourselves, we must do so with an understanding of all that signifies. If we profess to be Christians, but act, think, and speak in a worldly or profane manner, we take His name in vain. When we misrepresent Christ, either intentionally or through ignorance of the Christian faith as proclaimed in Scripture, we take the Lord’s name in vain. When we say we love Him, but do not do what He commands (Luke 6:46), we take His name in vain and are in danger of hearing Him say to us, “I never knew you. Away from me” in the day of judgment. (Matthew 7:21-23) (https://gotquestions.org/Lords-name-vain.html)
God’s Name Means salvation
This commandment contains far more than warning the occasional “slip of the tongue.” Remember the context of God’s giving of the Ten Commandments. Yahweh is the one and only God who created the earth, The God who revealed Himself mightily to Israel as their Saving God, the “I am who I am”, Yahweh/Jehovah God, so for the Hebrews at Sinai and for believers everywhere, God’s name means salvation.
I want to give just 2 examples in the Old Testament. Psalm 18:46 says: “The LORD (Yahweh) liveth; and blessed be my rock; and let the God (Elohim) of my salvation be exalted.” (Elohim is the first name used of God in the Bible, used over 2300 times. The shortened form of this word is “EL” and it is used an additional 200 times.) The LORD, Yahweh, is the God of my salvation. Any reference to God should be reverent and respectful because it is God who saves.
Isaiah 12:2 reads: “Behold, God (EL) is my salvation, I will trust and not be afraid; 'For Yah,(shortened form for Yahweh) the LORD (YHWH), is my strength and song; He also has become my salvation.' " The various names which God uses throughout scripture are all to be revered because He is the One who saves.
Jesus taught his disciples to pray in Matthew 6:9-10, Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your name. 10 Your kingdom come. Your will be done On earth as it is in heaven.” "Hallowing” God’s name exalts not only the name of the Lord, but everything that God has ever done. Hallowing God’s name creates an attitude and mindset of Him, a submission to His will as God, that is sustained not only in worship, but in everything we do and say. (1 Corinthians 10:31; Colossians 3:17, 23-24). Where God's name is hallowed, God is loved and revered. Where His Name is hallowed, His kingdom is eagerly anticipated, and His will obeyed. God's name speaks of more than a title such as "God," "Lord," or "Jehovah." It speaks of God Himself and is the composite of all His attributes. “Hallowed be Thy Name.”
Jesus identified with God’s Name, His character, and purposes. In John 10:14 He said: “I am the good shepherd; and I know My sheep, and am known by My own. 15 As the Father knows Me, even so I know the Father; and I lay down My life for the sheep.” Psalm 23 says: “The LORD is my shepherd.” Jesus says: “I AM the good shepherd.” Jesus, therefore, is the I AM of the Old Testament. He is the LORD of the New Testament. He is our Salvation.
Later in John10:24 we read: “Then the Jews surrounded Him and said to Him, "How long do You keep us in doubt? If You are the Christ, tell us plainly." 25 Jesus answered them, "I told you, and you do not believe. The works that I do in My Father's name, they bear witness of Me. 26 But you do not believe, because you are not of My sheep, as I said to you. 27 My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. 28 And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand. 29 My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of My Father's hand. 30 I and My Father are one."
All of the “I AM statements” by Jesus call His followers to consecrate His Name as well. Since Jesus is the I AM of the New Testament, His name is to be hallowed as well. There is no name under Heaven by which men can be saved. Speaking of Jesus in Acts 4: 11-12, Peter said: “This is the 'stone which was rejected by you builders, which has become the chief cornerstone.' 12 Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved."
Look at Romans 10:9-13 with me: "The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart" (that is, the word of faith which we preach): 9 that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. 11 For the Scripture says, "Whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame." 12 For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek, for the same Lord over all is rich to all who call upon Him. 13 For "whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved." (Here Paul quotes Joel 2:32.)
Humbly calling on the name of the LORD Jesus Christ and believing in everything that He is is the proof of the gift of God’s saving faith. Those who have received such faith love and honor His Name because His Name is forgiveness, life and salvation.
Believers Exalt God’s Name, Not Defame
The third commandment is in the negative, “Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD your God in vain” but it is just as important for believers to NOT defame God’s Name but to Exalt His Name. Because God is holy, magnificent, majestic, all powerful and wise, sovereign, merciful, just, righteous, gracious and loving, this God deserves our highest respect and our humble obedience. It would do us well to Worship this God through Scripture. Take some of the psalms and songs of praise in God’s Word and make them your own. Give them to God through prayer and worship. Since it is God’s Holy inspired Word, it is the best form of worship and the best teacher in leading us the manner of worship which is acceptable to the Lord God Almighty.
2. Another way to properly exalt God is to meditate on the names of God which reveal to us His character. Take time to do this alone and with others. God inhabits the praise of His people and meditating on His person and His perfect character causes us to grow in faith and in worship.
3. Disciplining ourselves in time with God gives Him priority in our lives as we acknowledge who He is. It helps us to live consciously, “coram Deo” (“before God”), that we are always living before the very presence and face of God. Approaching Him with a reverent, humble spirit causes us to yield more fully to His will for us as we know Him better. As we do that, God will hallow (honor) His name through us. Our God deserves our highest respect, reverence, obedience and service. He is our gracious and loving Father and Savior, but He is also the sovereign, majestic God of the universe, and He must be esteemed as such by those whom He has graciously saved.
“Lord, help us to give to you the honor which you deserve, in our worship and in our lives. In your precious saving name, we pray. Amen
OUTLINE
I. God’s Name is to be honored and revered.
A. “Take”= “nasa”- Do not “lift up” God’s Name inappropriately.
B. "name"= “shem”- God’s name sets Him apart from ALL OTHERS and God’s essence is concentrated in His name.
C. “shav”= “in vain”- Speaking God’s name ‘in vain” is to speak of God with irreverence or disrespect, speaking of God in an unworthy or frivolous manner.
D. Dishonoring God’s name through disobedience.
II. God’s Name means salvation. (Psalm 18:46, Isaiah 12:2)
A. All of God’s “names” are to be revered because He alone saves.
B. Jesus taught “Hallowed be Thy Name”: creates an attitude and mindset of Him, that is sustained not only in worship, but in everything we do and say.
C. Jesus identified with God’s Name. (John 10, The I Am Statements of Jesus)
D. There is no other name by which men are saved. Acts 4:11-12, Rom. 10:9-13)
III. Believers exalt God’s Name, not defame.
A. Worship God through Scripture.
B. Meditate on the names of God and His character.
C. Live consciously, “Coram Deo” (before God).
