Little knowledge is dangerous and willful misinterpretation of the ‘Word of the Lord’ and observance thereof will lead us to the path of destruction and the ‘Lake of Fire’. The Scriptures teach us that God has many names and one of them happens to be Lord. Jeremiah 31:35 confirms this “This is what the Lord says, He who appoints the sun to shine by day, who decrees the moon and stars to shine by night, Who stirs the sea so that its waves roar- the Lord Almighty is His name”. Psalms 8:1, further states “O LORD our Lord, how excellent is thy name in all the earth! Who hast set thy glory above the heavens.” Exodus 34:14 “For thou shalt worship no other god: for the LORD, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God:” Our God is thus, without doubt also known as Lord, the one and only Lord, Who was and is and is to come.
Exodus 20:7 emphatically states “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.” Thus, the third commandment prohibits taking the name of the Lord your God in vain. To take means “to lift up.” The phrase translated here in vain is also used in Exodus 23:1, where it is translated “falsely.” So, the essence of this prohibition clearly and emphatically forbids speaking of God or representing God in a false manner. This interpretation is supported by the prohibition against prophets speaking falsely in God’s name, which required the death penalty.
The First Commandment, in verse 3, commands us to worship God only. We’re not to have any “other gods before [Him].” The Second Commandment, in verse 4, commands us to worship God “in spirit and truth.” We’re not to make any idols in our worship of God. Now this Third Commandment commands us to reverence and have respect for God’s name. These first three Commandments are interlinked. Thus, we are bound to worship the true God, in the right way, and respect and revere His name, His nature, and His character. We should, therefore, not lift up his name in a worthless manner or manner that is trite and that insults or dilutes His Holiness, his reputation, and character.
A further analysis of the third commandment reveals some startling facts. There are consequences to anyone who violates this commandment: the Lord will not leave him unpunished who takes His name in vain. here the LORD does not describe the nature of the “punishment,” leaving open the possibility that the punishment could come in any form. Further, it is also noteworthy that the phrase in vain is used twice in this verse, underlining the importance of not degrading the character of the LORD. If the LORD’s character is misrepresented and therefore misunderstood, it would likely lead to a breach of the covenant, since the covenant is founded upon the character and nature of God.
It is thus of utmost importance for a sinner to approach the ‘Most Holy; and the only Holy Lord with awe, respect, and reverence. The song of Moses and the song of the Lamb given in Revelation 15:3 beautifully states “Great and marvellous are thy works, Lord God Almighty; just and true are thy ways, thou King of saints. 4 Who shall not fear thee, O Lord, and glorify thy name? for thou only art holy:”
Dr Ashwin Drummond
Laddertoheaven.co.in