The Lord’s Name

Exodus 20:7

“Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD thy God in vain; for the LORD will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain.”

Theme: Commandments

Key verse: v.1

26 verses; 561 words

Grade level: 6.0

Outline:

I. Man’s Relationship to God. Vs.1-11

II. Man’s Relationship to Man. Vs.12-26

Two of the ten commandments deal expressly with the sins of the tongue. In the third commandment God forbids man to speak anything that so much as reflects irreverence toward His Name.

In the ninth commandment He said: “Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor.” Thereby He endeavors to protect our name.

Taking the Name of the Lord in vain is being done in at least three ways—by profanity, foolishness, and pretence.

Profanity is a treacherous practice that prevails among many people.

Foolishness. Not one of us will attempt to deny that God’s Holy Name is often flippantly and even jokingly used.

Pretence is a lie. Some say, “God told me” when God didn’t tell them.

Here are three REASONS we do not take His name in vain:

I. The Root Of His Name.

Yehi—future tense, meaning “He will be.”

Hove—present tense, meaning “being, or He that is.”

hahyAH—past tense, meaning “He was.”

Revelation 1:8 KJV

I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty.

Strauss, Lehman. 2009. The Eleven Commandments. Wordsearch.

II. The Result Of His Name.

His most used name”God” means the Strong Faithful One.

His most underused name “LORD” means three things:

The Unaided Existing One.

Unchanging Character.

Unending Deity.

His most unusual name “Jesus” means Jehovah saves.

III. The Reach Of His Name.

His name reaches from holiness.

Psalm 89:18 KJV

For the LORD is our defence; and the Holy One of Israel is our king.

His name reaches from Heaven.

Psalm 136:26 KJV

O give thanks unto the God of heaven: for his mercy endureth for ever.

His name reaches for heathens.

Philippians 2:10 KJV

That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;

Conclusion:

Has His name reached you?

William A. Dean has pointed out the three characteristics of Jehovah that are clearly seen in the Old Testament:

He is the God of holiness (Exod. 15:11).

He hates and judges sin (Gen. 6:3–7).

He loves and saves sinners (Exod. 34:6; Gen. 3:8, 9).

Bibliography

Strauss, Lehman. 2009. The Eleven Commandments.