The world has one set of rules. God has another set of rules.
I believe we aren’t supposed to take God’s name in vain. The Ten Commandments say so. As far as I understand, that means not to use it lightly or in situations that are impotent, situations that are of no effect.
The Bible uses God. It uses Lord. It seems to have at least 16 different Jehovah titles for God as well. They are pretty neat names too such as:
1.) Jehovah-Elohim means “the Eternal Creator” (Genesis 2:4-25)
2.) Adonai-Jehovah means “the Lord our Sovereign” (Genesis 15:2,8)
3.) Jehovah-Jireh means “the Lord will see or provide” (Genesis 2:8-14)
4.) Jehovah-Nissi means “the Lord our banner” (Exodus 17:15)
5.) Jehovah-Rapha means “the Lord our healer” (Exodus 15:26)
6.) Jehovah-Shalom means “the Lord our peace” (Judges 6:24)
7.) Jehovah-Tsidqenuw means “the Lord our righteousness” (Jeremiah 23:6, 33:16)
8.) Jehovah-Mekaddishkem means “the Lord our sanctifier” (Exodus 31:13, Leviticus 20:8, 21:8, 22:9, 16, 32, Ezekiel 20:12)
9.) Jehovah-Sabaoth means “The Lord of Hosts” (1 Samuel 1:3 and some 284 other times)
10.) Jehovah-Shammah means “the Lord is present” (Ezekiel 48:35)
11.) Jehovah-Elyown means “the Lord most High” (Psalms 7:17, 47:2, 97:9)
12.) Jehovah-Rohi means “the Lord my Shepherd” (Psalms 23:1)
13.) Jehovah-Hoseenu means “the Lord our Maker” (Psalms 95:6)
14.) Jehovah-Eloheenu means “the Lord our God” (Psalms 99:5, 8, 9)
15.) Jehovah-Eloheka means “the Lord thy God” (Exodus 20:2, 5, 7)
16.) Jehovah-Elohay means “the Lord my God” (Zechariah 14:5)
I know there’s all kinds of controversies of translation and culture around the Jehovah names, but I still really like them. I like them unapologetically. I like when I stumble across them in my daily Bible reading. I often come back and read that sentence again and roll that name around in my mouth a few times.
I look around the world and see that the world has one set of standards and it is constantly pulling everyone down to those standards.
I resolve, the next time someone says “God” as a curse word or in some way uses it lightly, to say “Hey man, don’t take the Lord’s name in vain,” gently and to move on with the conversation as if that thing never happened. I will endeavor to make this my new habit.
Some people reading this will think it a silly thing. Some people reading this will think it a legalistic thing. I just know words get used very loosely in our era. We have allowed them to have no effect. If we don’t allow that, we are harangued for believing the word “boy” or “girl” possibly has any definition. The word “is” is not allowed to mean is. The word vaccine was re-defined covertly by Merriam-Webster in January 2021. No press release was issued, as they do for every little thing they can think of to issue a press release over. Instead of was just a creepy, sneaky thing to do. Everywhere we turn, there are people conveniently redefining words. Such preposterous behavior deserves the greatest ridicule. Instead, seldom do those involved in such situations offer such ridicule.
Those who believe that words have meaning are very much on the defensive. It shouldn’t be that way. If there is one area of the language that should have very clear meaning, that should be reserved, that should not be used loosely, it is this. It is the words we use to reverence God.
All the other things, I do not know what I will do about them. But this one, if anyone uses God’s name loosely around me, I heretofore resolve to gently say “Hey man, don’t use the Lord’s name in vain,” and to calmly move on.
Join us in daily Bible readings in the Bible project at 55hours.org. It just takes around 15 minutes a day to read the Bible in a year. If you sign up at 55hours.org, I’ll also send you a free guide to reading the Bible in a year, which you can use at your own pace.
LOVE this. Agree 100% (and then some :)
Thank you!!🙏🏻♥️
That’s my Allan! Always observant and thought provoking. :)