The Ten Commandments, 3 Of 6: Third And Fourth Commandments

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.