Don't Shame His Name: Deuteronomy 5:11

Introduction

In John Bunyan’s classic allegory of the Christian life Pilgrim’s Progress the names of people in the story tell us who they are and what they are like. For example, Pilgrim, who later is identified as Christian is the one traveling from the city of destruction to the celestial city. Hopeful and faithful are hopeful and faithful Christians. Evangelist tells pilgrim of the gospel. Pliable at first went with pilgrim from the City of Destruction, but turned ed back after falling into the slough of despond. You get the point right names are more than just names in Bunyan’s allegory. Something similar can be said of names in the Bible. For example, Abram’s name is changed to Abraham, which means father of many. Yahweh’s name is more meaningful than my name Jimmy, which mean Jimmy. The significance of Yahweh’s name is what makes this commandment necessary and serious

Exposition

11a: The prohibition is taking the name of Yahweh in vain.

Definition of Yahweh: shortened version of the personal name God gave Himself when talking with Moses before the Exodus (). I means “I am who I am,” signifying the eternality, self-existence, and immutability of God. Furthermore, it is always closely connected to the redemptive covenantal acts of God, therefore denoting that God is faithful to His promises.

Definition of taking God’s name in vain: “any use or involvement of God’s name that is empty, frivolous, or insincere” (Michael Horton).

any use or involvement of God’s name that is empty, frivolous, or insincere.

OT: Applications

The

false or empty oaths ()

false visions or prophesy ()

Sacrificing children to Molech ()

Unlawfully touching the holy things or unregulated offerings (; )

NT: Applications

Jesus is a transliteration of the greek word which is a transliteration of the Hebrew Word Yehoshua, or Joshua. It means Yahweh is salvation.

Jesus is the incarnation of God’s Holy name and the fulfillment of God’s covenant promises to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.

Jesus is identified as Yahweh in the flesh (//; ; ).

Jesus is the name to whom every name will bow to the glory of God the Father ().

11b: The motivation for obedience is given as Yahweh’s sure punishment of those who take His name in vain.

OT:

NT:

Main Points/Applications

Negative

Don’t shame God’s name by attaching it to something false

A false oath

A false pronouncement

Don’t shameGod’s name by being a hypocrite

Don’t shame God’s name by attaching it to something frivolous

Jokes

Cursing

Don’t shame God’s name by taking false oaths

Don’t shame God’s name by attaching it to something fake

Hypocrisy

Heartless Worship or Words

Postive

Don’t shame God’s name by running to Jesus in faith

Honor God’s name by cleaving to Christ (; ; )

Don’t shame God’s name by praising Him

Honor God’s name by voicing His praises (; ; )

Don’t shame God’s name by declaring it to the nations

Honor God’s name by voicing His praises

Honor God’s name by making disciples ()

Conclusion

J.V. Fesko writes, “As we reflect upon the third commandment, we see how often we violate it. We violate it when we flippantly or carelessly use the name of God or Christ. We violate it when our conduct does not honor the name of Christ. But we can flee to Him only in the knowledge that He is the Law incarnate and that in the Law we see His perfect righteousness. We can flee to Christ knowing that He has fulfilled God’s rule of love, even this third commandment, because He is the incarnation of God’s name and our redemption and salvation in the flesh.”

As we reflect upon the third commandment, we see how often we violate it. We violate it when we flippantly or carelessly use the name of God or Christ. We violate it when our conduct does not honor the name of Christ. But we can flee to Him only in the knowledge that He is the Law incarnate and that in the Law we see His perfect righteousness. We can flee to Christ knowing that He has fulfilled God’s rule of love, even this third commandment, because He is the incarnation of God’s name and our redemption and salvation in the flesh.

Let us run to Christ for our salvation and hope of eternal life. Let us seek to honor His name in gratitude for that salvation.