Good thread for a FReeper today who didn’t see anything wrong with using the Lord’s name in vain in a post. Another one to whom the rules of FR do not apply!
Actually it’s nine commandments. The first one is a statement.
Finally to take the name of God in vain, means to bear the name of God, as a cloak to do evil. There are those who use the term Christian, to gain people’s confidence, that they might take advantage of them, or even worse, the modern scandal of “ministers” claiming to represent the name and cause of God, who use the ministry to exploit children or rob Widows, but who claim the be of God, are guilty of breaking the third commandment. Literally the Hebrew says, “Thou shalt not bear the name of God in vain…”.
The interpretation I am about to exposit comes from a Hebrew instructor, Michael Heiser, and Dennis Praeger, who is a Jew who understands the Torah (first five books of the Bible).
Both of the above state that "taking the name" is better interpreted as "bearing the name", as in representing.
The closest use of the Hebrew word occurs when Moses is describing the breastplate worn by the high priest when he enters into the Holy of Holies. The breastplate has 12 stones representing the 12 tribes of Israel. The meaning is that the priest is "bearing the names of the 12 tribes of Israel"; i.e., representing the 12 tribes, to God.
Thus, when WE, and not just pastors, represent God and God's words to others, we are "bearing the name of God" to those others. The commandment is an admonition that we must not misrepresent God to others. When we act in God's name we must faithfully convey God's character as well as we are able.
Trying to defend homosexuality as accepted by God or abortion as accepted by God is clearly taking God's name in vain.
Those of us who do not promote abortion or homosexuality must still examine ourselves to make sure we do not mislead people by misrepresenting our God by our manner of speech or behavior!
And we all say Amen
Thanks as always for posting.
They are profitable.