Exodus 20:7 - The Third Commandment
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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.
Introduction
Introduction
Review
1st - Worshiping the wrong God and
2nd - Worshiping God in the wrong way
The 3rd Commandment addresses - Speaking wrongly about God
It addresses our words about God
A name carried deep significance.
It speaks of one’s character or attributes - what a person is.
When Moses asks to see God’s glory in Exodus 33, God gives Moses His name
And he said, “I will make all my goodness pass before you and will proclaim before you my name ‘The Lord.’ And I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will show mercy on whom I will show mercy.
The Lord passed before him and proclaimed, “The Lord, the Lord, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness, keeping steadfast love for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, but who will by no means clear the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children and the children’s children, to the third and the fourth generation.” And Moses quickly bowed his head toward the earth and worshiped.
Israel was delivered for the sake of His name
But I acted for the sake of my name, that it should not be profaned in the sight of the nations among whom they lived, in whose sight I made myself known to them in bringing them out of the land of Egypt.
Speaking of the Red Sea crossing
Yet he saved them for his name’s sake, that he might make known his mighty power.
“Vain” means empty or worthless
“Take the name”
literally to lift, bear, or carry God’s name wrongly
Do not carry god’s name falsely or use His name in empty or worthless ways.
Same term in Exodus 23:1
1 “You shall not spread a false report. You shall not join hands with a wicked man to be a malicious witness.
Taking the Lord’s name in vain misrepresents who God is: His character and attributes.
This is serious
Whoever blasphemes the name of the Lord shall surely be put to death. All the congregation shall stone him. The sojourner as well as the native, when he blasphemes the Name, shall be put to death.
Duties Required - Using His name and representing His name rightly
Duties Required - Using His name and representing His name rightly
“That the name of God, his titles, attributes...and whatsoever else there is whereby he makes himself known, be holily and reverently used in thought, meditation, word, and writing” (WLC 112).
Praise of His name. Worship.
O Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth! You have set your glory above the heavens.
Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name; worship the Lord in the splendor of holiness.
Not literally never speaking the name (Modern Jews, G-d)
The OT uses Yahweh around 7,000 times.
Reverence for His name. Using it rightly with respect.
There is a growing level of casualness with others in our culture, even those in authority.
Carry or bear His name/reputation - Rightly represent Him
16 But for this purpose I have raised you up, to show you my power, so that my name may be proclaimed in all the earth.
God’s deeds revealed His name.
Speak honestly, truthfully, and with integrity
The Lord’s prayer in Matthew 6:9
9 Pray then like this: “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name.
Sins Forbidden
Sins Forbidden
Disrespecting God or His name
Frivolous or thoughtless use - i.e., in prayer
God warned His disciples not to heap up empty phrases when they prayed (Mt. 6:7)
OMG, Jeez, Gosh, good Lord, I swear to God
Joking about Him
Angry cursing
Swearing by His name
But I say to you, Do not take an oath at all, either by heaven, for it is the throne of God, or by the earth, for it is his footstool, or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King. And do not take an oath by your head, for you cannot make one hair white or black. Let what you say be simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’; anything more than this comes from evil.
Perjury - under oath, we swear to “tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, so help me God.”
You shall not swear by my name falsely, and so profane the name of your God: I am the Lord.
“misinterpreting, misapplying, or any way perverting the word, or any part of it” (WLC 113)
False teachers and false prophets
Hypocrisy -
False profession
Associating God’s name with what is false or immoral.
Or do you not know that he who is joined to a prostitute becomes one body with her? For, as it is written, “The two will become one flesh.”
Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own,
Using His name to add weight or authority to our words. (Claiming divine authority or Playing the God-card)
“God told me to do ...”
Molech worship broke the commandment
You shall not give any of your children to offer them to Molech, and so profane the name of your God: I am the Lord.
Touching things dedicated to God - Taking for oneself what belongs to God.
“Speak to Aaron and his sons so that they abstain from the holy things of the people of Israel, which they dedicate to me, so that they do not profane my holy name: I am the Lord.
Being ashamed of the name of God or the gospel.
What is the purpose for which we use God’s name?
Application
Application
God will judge all those who take His name in vain (7b)
God will judge us for the words we speak and even the words we think.
Even before a word is on my tongue, behold, O Lord, you know it altogether.
I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak, for by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.”
Though many will get away with it in this life, they will one day be judges.
Jesus fulfills this commandment
He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth.
“Now is my soul troubled. And what shall I say? ‘Father, save me from this hour’? But for this purpose I have come to this hour. Father, glorify your name.” Then a voice came from heaven: “I have glorified it, and I will glorify it again.”
Your father Abraham rejoiced that he would see my day. He saw it and was glad.” So the Jews said to him, “You are not yet fifty years old, and have you seen Abraham?” Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I am.”
We are united to Him - We share His name.
His record is now our record
His obedience, righteousness, and beauty are ours in Christ.
Maximize others’ knowledge and honor of His name.
6 “I have manifested your name to the people whom you gave me out of the world. Yours they were, and you gave them to me, and they have kept your word.
Christians bear His name. We must honor it in our representation of Him and not blaspheme His character.
The world associates us with the name of Christ. We carry his name.
For, as it is written, “The name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you.”
Public profession of faith and baptism.
How has your bearing the name of Jesus impacted those around you? Family, friends, etc.
Live for His name’s sake and glory
17 And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
Worship God
One day, His name will be rightly honored
Who will not fear, O Lord, and glorify your name? For you alone are holy. All nations will come and worship you, for your righteous acts have been revealed.”
Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Closing Hymn: 203 - Hark, the Herald Angels Sing
Benediction: Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.