Commandment #3: Thou Shalt Not Take the Name of the LORD Thy God in Vain (Exodus 20:7)
2023-04-02
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. (Exodus 20:7)
To take the name of the Lord in vain is to treat His name lightly or to bring evil on that name. Recall that the name of the Lord is also more than just what He is called; it is also tied up in His authority and reputation as well.
An example of this is son of the Egyptian man and Israelite woman who fought with another. “And the Israelitish woman’s son blasphemed the name of the LORD, and cursed.” (Leviticus 24:11). He was put to death. “And he that blasphemeth the name of the LORD, he shall surely be put to death, and all the congregation shall certainly stone him: as well the stranger, as he that is born in the land, when he blasphemeth the name of the LORD, shall be put to death” (Leviticus 24:16).
A lot of how Israel fared caused the nations to blaspheme the Lord’s name, whether it be their circumstances or their sin. “O God, how long shall the adversary reproach? shall the enemy blaspheme thy name for ever?” (Psalms 74:10). “For the name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles through you, as it is written” (Romans 2:24).
The Antichrist will curse God’s name. “And he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme his name, and his tabernacle, and them that dwell in heaven” (Revelation 13:6). This is normal for God’s enemies. “For they speak against thee wickedly, and thine enemies take thy name in vain” (Psalms 139:20).
People also curse God’s name when they blame their circumstances on Him. “And men were scorched with great heat, and blasphemed the name of God, which hath power over these plagues: and they repented not to give him glory” (Revelation 16:9). “Remove far from me vanity and lies: give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with food convenient for me: Lest I be full, and deny thee, and say, Who is the LORD? or lest I be poor, and steal, and take the name of my God in vain” (Proverbs 30:8-9).
In a culture that freely uses the phrases “Oh my God” and “Jesus Christ” to express shock, awe, or anger, this command reminds us how severe this is. To blaspheme the Lord’s name is to impugn His honor, treat Him with irreverence, and to express utmost disbelief that He truly is God and sovereign over His creation.