Episode Transcript
God instructs Israel not to take His name, Yahweh, in vain. The Hebrew word translated as “take,” here ((נסא, means to raise up, exalt, or carry—literally covering every way in which God’s name can be taken—merely spoken, used in praise, or carried as the name of a people (e.g. Israel, Christian). To do anything in vain ((שוא is to do something that is inconsequential or false. So, the Israelites are not to say anything false with reference to God. They were not to say anything inconsequential with reference to God. God is not inconsequential or trivial. He is not false. If we call God by the name God, it applies to the way in which we refer to Him. The same applies for every way we refer to God, including the ways we refer to the Son of God—Jesus the Christ.
In our own cultural context, it turns out that this instruction does, then, translate to the way we often hear the name, God, used as a curse (e.g. “Oh my God!” or “Jesus Christ!”). To speak or praise or bear His name inconsequentially is disrespectful, and He does not want His people speaking His name without meaning. When we speak the name of God, we do so with purpose—His purpose. When we praise His name, we do so with purpose, not as empty praises. When we bear His name, we do so with purpose. Living as a Christian is not inconsequential or trivial—it is living with a very real purpose. I think this verse also speaks to the way God desires we communicate as His people—always purposefully and with meaning, never speaking into the air words that are inconsequential or false. While none of us are perfect, we see something about God in this command. He wants us to be like Him. He does not speak inconsequentially or falsely.
Many people, mostly Jews, have gotten into the habit of not speaking or writing God’s name, either Yahweh or God, because of this commandment. I understand the sentiment. I understand not wanting to accidentally transgress God’s Law. I think God wants us to speak His name, just in a way you would talk about a friend rather than a foe—to bless and not to curse.
God says that He will not leave him unpunished who takes His name in vain. Those who falsely present themselves as Christians or the people of God, for instance, will not get away with their lies. Those who do not love God and speak of Him as their enemy will not go unpunished. Those who are not children of God and so use His name flippantly in speech or song, and without meaning, will not go without the punishment of God. We naturally want to honor our earthly fathers and defend their names even when they sin against us, especially if we are raised in honorable households. We don’t go around cursing the names of our parents, and we will fight anyone who does speak ill of them. If we are children of God, why would we not also treat His name with respect? To use God’s name in vain is evidence that we do not know or love God.
