The Third Commandment – Part 1
First, let’s ask: What does “vain” mean? The word carries the sense of “empty” or “worthless.” God is telling us that His name should never be treated as empty or worthless.
The Third Commandment – Part 1
Exodus 20:7
“You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain.”
The Third Commandment has to do with the name of God—specifically, that we should not take God’s name in vain. Because of its importance, we will need more than one day to unpack what this means.
First, let’s ask: What does “vain” mean? The word carries the sense of “empty” or “worthless.” God is telling us that His name should never be treated as empty or worthless. Keep that in mind as we move to the next question: What’s the big deal about the name of God?
To answer, let’s consider three names in the Bible connected to the fathers of our faith—Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Through them, God’s covenant promises flowed to His people. Interestingly, each of them received his name directly from God.
• Abram was renamed Abraham when God promised to bless him.
• Isaac was named by God after Sarah laughed at the thought of bearing a child in her old age.
• But it is with Jacob that the most dramatic story unfolds.
Jacob was a deceitful man. He had pulled a fast one on his brother and went on the run. After a while, he wanted to return and reconcile but things didn’t look good. He was greatly distressed and afraid for his life and his family. He prayed and acknowledged his unworthiness before God and asked for deliverance.
That evening, God appeared to Jacob and he “wrestled” or “contended” with him. We are not exactly certain how that took place, but during this interaction God asked Jacob for his name.
Now, God knew Jacob’s name. So what was He doing? He was asking Jacob to give up his name. So, Jacob surrendered it. God took it from him and replaced it with a new one; Israel, meaning “God strives.”
Jacob’s new name tells us his story, but the most startling impact of that night comes from what happened next. Jacob had the nerve to ask God for HIS name. What God did in response to that request has echoed for thousands of years since that night in the wilderness with Jacob.
That part of the story we will take up tomorrow.
