The Ten Commandments, 3 of 6: Third and Fourth Commandments
Scripture: Exodus 20:7, Deuteronomy 5:11
Summary: The Third Commandment reinforces the first two while commanding another aspect of God's reality, approaching and responding to the LORD. The Fourth Commandment covers Sabbath worship.
Last week, we discussed the preamble and the first and second commandments. This week, we will discuss taking God’s name in vain and the Sabbath.
Exodus 20:7 and Deuteronomy 5:11, “You shall not make wrongful use of the name of the LORD your God, for the LORD will not acquit anyone who misuses his name.” The King James Version reads, “Thou shalt not take the name … in vain,” and the New Jewish Publication Society reads, “You shall not swear falsely by the name.” In sum, it is a sin to misuse the name of God.
Many think that this law simply outlaws the use of God’s name as or with a swear word. It is that and much more. First, we cover the “thou shalt not[s].” If you promise someone you will pray for him or her and do not, you have broken this law. If you say, “May the LORD do such and such to me if I am lying,” you have broken the law. These kinds of things are using God’s name in vain. Further, we are not to utter his name unnecessarily in common conversation or flippant oaths, for example, “Oh, my God.” or “For God's sake.” “Wrongful use of the name” commands against abusing the divine name to make lies more plausible, to support anything unreal, to support groundless or insincere statements, to support empty promises, to use God’s name out of vanity, or to speak about God without regard for its awesome holiness. This law forbids using God’s name to support magical formulas, sorcery, fortune-telling, or false prophecies.
“The LORD will not acquit anyone who misuses his name.” Matthew 4:7, “Jesus said to him, ‘Again it is written,’ “Do not put the Lord your God to the test.”’” God is serious about this. He will punish any person who misuses His name. He does not say how He will punish us; we only know He is “compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in kindness and faithfulness.” That would indicate that the Father considers the circumstances, for example, a child who does not understand versus an adult familiar with the commandment does understand. Yet, God is also serious. Deuteronomy 6:13 emphasizes “The LORD your God you shall fear, him you shall serve, and by his name alone you shall swear.”
We are to swear by God’s Name only when we are fully convinced of the truth of our declaration, and then only when we are required to do so in a Court of law. Perjury in a court of law or any communication is an unpardonable offense, which if not repressed, will destroy society. The Essences, a Jewish Sect in the days of the Second Temple, held that “he who cannot be believed without swearing is already condemned.” “Let your yes be yes and your no, no.”
On the positive side, “thou shalt” do these things: You are to use His name when you want to thank Him. You are to use His name when you praise Him. You are to use God’s name to call on Him as often as you wish to lift up your needs. You are to use God’s name, especially during difficult times such as illness, death, or hardship. You are to use His name when you ask Him to walk with you through the day or for travel protection. You are to use God’s name when you ask Him for His loving touch when you feel down or need to make a difficult decision. You are to use God’s name when leading a group in prayer or your church during corporate prayer. Use His name when you ask Him to forgive you of your sins. You are to use God’s name when you ask Him to help others with their needs. He is you, Father, He wants to hear from you, and He will respond. Note: God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit are One. It is appropriate, and necessary, to end your prayers “In Jesus Name.”
Now we examine the two variations (Deuteronomy and Exodus) of the Fourth Commandment that are woven together requiring that the seventh day of every week be a day of rest devoted to the proper worship of God. Deuteronomy 5:12-15, “Observe the Sabbath day and keep it holy, as the LORD your God commanded you. Six days you shall labor and do all your work. But the seventh day is a Sabbath to the LORD your God; you shall not do any work—you, or your son or your daughter, or your male or female slave, or your ox or your donkey, or any of your livestock, or the resident alien in your towns, so that your male and female slave may rest as well as you. Remember that you were a slave in the land of Egypt, and the LORD your God brought you out from there with a mighty hand and an outstretched arm; therefore the LORD your God commanded you to keep the Sabbath day.” What binds the “seventh day” of every week to “Sabbath to the LORD your God” is the translation of the word “Sabbath,” its literal meaning is “desist from work,” spend time with God and family.
Exodus 20:8-11, “Remember the Sabbath day and keep it holy. Six days you shall labor and do all your work. But the seventh day is a Sabbath to the LORD your God; you shall not do any work—you, your son or your daughter, your male or female slave, your livestock, or the alien resident in your towns. For in six days, the LORD made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them, but rested the seventh day; therefore, the LORD blessed the Sabbath day and consecrated it.”
These two versions create a rich theological and ethical directive beginning with the first words of each, “Remember the Sabbath” and “Observe the Sabbath.” These variations, remember to observe, are to be a single message. We are to remember, to think about, and to prepare to observe that day by thinking of it every workday looking forward to its holiness and sanctifying influence. It is a day for prayer, worship, and fellowship. This day of rest is also done for our good and the good of our household. Praise God for the distinction between the Sabbath and the six weekdays; it is a gift, work versus rest, devotion to God, and enjoyable companionship.
“And keep it holy,” by showing reverence and devotion to God. Withdraw from the worries of the world on this day of rest that God set apart for improving and building our spiritual life. It is a time to go to worship with friends and family, to listen, to study religious instruction and the laws governing human conduct; it is a day to enjoy one another. Jesus certainly kept the Sabbath. Luke 4:16, “When he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up, he went to the synagogue on the Sabbath day, as was his custom.”
“As the LORD your God commanded you.” While resting, Deuteronomy asks us to remember God delivering Israel from slavery and to remember God’s creation of the world. “For in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them, but rested the seventh day.” It is not something we often think about, but God worked and continues to work. Yet, He took a day of rest. Created in His image, if God must work and then rest, who are we but His people.
Genesis 2:15 defines our job, “And the LORD God took the man, and put him into the Garden of Eden to dress it and to keep it.” Work caring for God’s world has been a human duty since creation. This commandment makes work a religious duty. “Six days you shall labor and do all your work.” Work during the six days of the week is as essential to human welfare as is rest on the Sabbath. We are required to labor not only for survival but also to improve our world. This obligation to work prevents idleness that invariably leads to a feeling of worthlessness and bad thoughts for idleness wastes the talents God has given each of us. However, work can sometimes lead to rivalries and concentration on wealth. We need the Sabbath to call for a truce and refocus on what is truly important.
“Remember that you were a slave in the land of Egypt.” Pharaoh was the source of human tyranny and the oppressive economic exploitation of slave labor. Moses asks Pharaoh to let the Israelites go into the wilderness and worship their God. Pharaoh said, “They cry, ‘Let them go and offer sacrifice to our God.’ Let heavier work be laid on them.” Later, they stood at the base of Mount Sinai; they would have remembered slavery, and the answer God gave Pharaoh: Honor the Sabbath.
“The seventh day is a Sabbath to the LORD,” this day belongs to God and is to be devoted to Him. “You shall not do any work.” You refer to male and female, young and old, rich and poor. Work has its rewards, but God knows its limits, pressures, and demands are set under the safeguard of the Sabbath. God forbids all acts that tend to change the Sabbath into an ordinary day. Whatever practices and customs divide the different strata of society, they all disappear on the Sabbath. On that day, we practice “Love thy neighbor as thy self” for on this day, there is no distinction between social classes. Servants, strangers, and even animals need rest as much as anyone does. Treating servants and strangers as equals enhances human liberty; strengthens human equality and promotes the cause of justice. The Sabbath is the one day when all humans, no matter their station in life, are free and equal. Kindness to animals is also a theme here.
“God commanded you to keep the Sabbath day.” Keeping the Sabbath testifies to all nonreligious people that God is the center of life; you will rest and keep His day. That is one powerful way to witness. Today, most Americans do not honor the seventh day. There is a difference between taking a day off and taking a day to rest and worship the LORD. When you keep the Sabbath, you make and keep human life on the right track. Remember, the women went to the tomb to tend to the body of Christ after the day of rest was over. This is a powerful demonstration of the importance of the Sabbath.
I am old enough to remember when Sunday school and church were a habit when all businesses closed on Sunday. I remember when mothers did their cooking for Sunday on Saturday. I also remember when crime, violence in major cities, and hatred in politics were much rarer than it is today. We all have a part to play. Do you celebrate the seventh day or is it just a time to work around your home? Think about it.
