I’ve been doing some Bible reading and studying this afternoon and was looking again at the Ten Commandments given to us in Exodus 20. One of those is “You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain…” (Ex. 20:7a)
For years people have said that refers to swearing and using God’s name as a curse word or something. And I believe it does mean that. However while that is true – the more I think about it and study it, the more I think it goes MUCH further than that. The word vain used here means “emptiness, vanity, falsehood, worthlessness”.
The believers back in the times of Moses was very careful about using God’s name – they would hardly even speak it for fear of who God is. And I was thinking today, look how far we’ve come from there. Today people make jokes about God, so-called christian comedians put together long humorous monologues about God, and Hollywood makes comedy movies about God, like Bruce Almighty.
I fear we have LONG since lost true reverence and appreciation for who GOD is! The first two commandments talk about worshiping God and ONLY God, and then this is the third commandment. I think it is a warning – God is SO almighty and wonderful we should NOT talk lightly about Him, use His name inappropriately, or in any way make light of His power and authority.
The more TRULY we realize and view God for who HE is – the more our respect and admiration and love for Him will grow. Notice the warning at the end of that verse: “…for the LORD will not leave him unpunished who takes His name in vain.” (Ex. 20:7b)
Philippians 2:10 states, ” at the name of Jesus EVERY KNEE WILL BOW, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth…”
Isaiah 6:1-3 describe somewhat of God’s glory, “In the year of King Uzziah’s death I saw the Lord sitting on a throne, lofty and exalted, with the train of His robe filling the temple. Seraphim stood above Him, each having six wings: with two he covered his face, and with two he covered his feet, and with two he flew. And one called out to another and said, “Holy, Holy, Holy, is the LORD of hosts, The whole earth is full of His glory.”
He is ALMIGHTY GOD – and we should learn to love and respect Him as HE deserves!