You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain, for the Lord will not hold him guiltless who takes His name in vain.”  (Deuteronomy 5:11)

Jehovah has supreme authority over all that we do. This would certainly include our speech. This third commandment seems to cover this area.

The “name of God“ is a phrase referring to Jehovah himself. It stands for much more than just speaking of God. The “name of God” represents God’s very essence and character – his omnipotence, wisdom, love, and justice. All of these things are included in God’s name. 

We commonly use this passage as a warning against profanity. Some may warn of using God‘s name flippantly and irreverently. Or, some speak of those who viciously scoff at God and impugn his character. Others warn of vain worship where God’s name is spoken of thoughtlessly in song and prayer. The Bible certainly warns of all of these transgressions.

Some apply this verse in regard to our relationship with others such as making promises that we never intend to keep. Making oaths rashly are forbidden by God. One must never use God‘s name to persuade others of a conclusion that is not true. Jesus said, “But let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No,’ ‘No.’ For whatever is more than these is from the evil one.” (Matthew 5:37)

However, these typical applications miss the true intent of this commandment. Literally, the Hebrew translates “you shall not bear/carry the name of God emptily.“  The idiom derives from the ancient practice of claiming ownership, and was commonly used to brand slaves. The real issue here is a claim of ownership.

Truly one must not claim Jehovah as their covenant Lord and live as if they belong to false gods. “One will say, ‘I am the Lord’s’; Another will call himself by the name of Jacob; Another will write with his hand, ‘The Lord’s,’ And name himself by the name of Israel.” (Isaiah 44:5)  “You shall have no other gods before Me.” (Deuteronomy 5:7) Jehovah will not allow for dual allegiance (Colossians 3:5) It is God only or nothing!

Jehovah would have us to stand in awe of him. We must look up on heaven as His throne. We are to honor His word, and His people. Consider how you stand in relation to him. Have you made him your king? And, have you made fellowship with him all that matters?

By George Slover
 

The Spirit of the Lord God is upon Me, because the Lord has anointed Me to preach good tidings to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, And the opening of the prison to those who are bound;” (Isaiah 61:1)

Imagine a man walking into a religious assembly, opening the Bible to this passage, reading it, then proclaiming he was the fulfillment of this prophecy. Yet this is what Jesus did in the synagogue in Nazareth 2000 years ago. Luke says those who heard marveled at his gracious words.

Isaiah, 700 years before the time of Christ, spoke about the mission of the Messiah. Under the law, priests and kings were anointed as a sign of the appointment to a high office or commission by God. According to Isaiah, just what was God‘s mission for this Messiah-King?

Jesus did not come into the world to condemn it, but to save it. (John 3:17) The angels announced the birth of Christ proclaiming peace and good tidings. The Messiah’s forerunner declared that “all flesh would see the salvation of God“ (Luke 3:6)  During his earthly ministry, Jesus plainly stated that he came to seek and save the lost. (Luke 19:9) There is no better good tidings than this.

The brokenhearted are the target of the Messiah‘s message. The main thrust of this proclamation is to those broken by the burden of sin. Christ made atonement for sin and secured a means of forgiveness. The Lord’s life, death, and resurrection was a declaration of God‘s mercy.

In addition, the Messiah came to free the captives.  All of Satan’s prisoners are slaves of sin. Christ not only offered freedom from the guilt of sin, but freedom from its bondage. “Likewise you also, reckon yourselves to be dead indeed to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 6:11) Men are slaves of lust and habit. But Christ has opened the prison doors and cast off the fetters.

These marvelous blessings are not offered to the “rich“ and “noble“ – to those who solely pride in human accomplishment. They are offered to the meek and humble; to those so crushed by hopelessness, that their primary longing is the joy only found in fellowship with God. Have you given him your life?

By George Slover

“But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.” (Jude 20,21)

The book of Jude begins with an exhortation to stand for “the faith“. The author recognizes the dangerous influence of false teachers that were turning the grace of God into “lewdness”.  (vs. 4) Jude follows with a vivid description of these apostates. (vs. 5-19)  From these corruptor’s who have occupied his pen, Jude now directs his readers toward final words of encouragement.

First, Jude’s readers are exhorted to “keep themselves” in God’s circle of love. The soul’s primary retreat is the love of God. “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written: ‘For Your sake we are killed all day long; We are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.’ Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.” (Romans 8:35-38). 

Second, “the faith” which was mentioned in verse three is the objective standard they must cling to. Jude personalizes “the faith” (“your most holy faith”) because it had been delivered to them. The faith delivered by God, the gospel of Christ, is the only sure and solid foundation for our soul’s salvation. For this reason, Jude encourages them to build on this foundation. A better and more complete understanding of God‘s will is the best preventative against the false doctrine that was plaguing these disciples.

Next, this must be coupled with praying in the Holy Spirit. The spirit instructs us and helps us to ask according to God‘s will. The spirit suggest the manner of a prayer of sincerity and fervency. It is by this kind of prayer that the saint can become empowered to overcome the evil.

Finally, Jude’s words are linked to an expectation of God‘s mercy, and its ultimate end, eternal life. This inspired writer encourages his disciples to keep their hearts focused on the goal. It was through God‘s mercy that the people were called into a relationship with him. The final manifestation of mercy will be enjoying God‘s presence forever.

Dear reader where do you stand with God? The message of Jude is to persevere! One day you will enjoy the reward.

George Slover

Now the mixed multitude who were among them yielded to intense craving; so the children of Israel also wept again and said: “Who will give us meat to eat? We remember the fish which we ate freely in Egypt, the cucumbers, the melons, the leeks, the onions, and the garlic; but now our whole being is dried up; there is nothing at all except this manna before our eyes!” (Numbers 11:4-6)

Scenes of this chapter provide a glimpse of the pathetic character of Israel. Their constant grumbling is a source of extreme irritation for Moses, their leader. (Vs.11) “Manna, manna, all we have is a manna!” Could this same kind of dissatisfaction be found in our hearts?

It is first worth noting just where the sin began. A “mixed multitude“ or foreigners were living among the people of God. A cry among these aliens seems to incite a rebellion among the Israelites. Thus, the danger of listening to the counsel of friends of the world, especially when one’s faith and commitment are challenged. 

The Israelites had forgotten all that God had done for them. They do remember the manna, only to grumble about it. They are mindful of the delicacies of Egypt, but have they forgotten how they were treated in bondage? Their exaggerated language: “our whole being is dried up“; “we have nothing“, reveals much about their ungrateful heart. Jesus has conquered sin and death, yet how easy it is for us to complain about matters far less important.

And so the people demanded flesh, and God gave them flesh beyond their request. They get their desire, but not God‘s blessing. One must be careful to become impatient with our real or imagined hardships. What we receive may not offer the pleasure that we are looking for.

To avoid the dangers of such thanklessness, we must take our eyes off the pleasures offered by the world. We must flee these harmful lusts, and turn our hearts to pursue heavenly objects. We must make the Father’s business the main thing, and pray: “Father, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven”. 

By George Slover

The general theme of this Psalm refers to God’s special favor to the Israelites in the restoration from captivity. However, it may be regarded as a celebration of God’s merciful providence to all men in various trials. A call to thanksgiving and praise is the repeating chorus in the Psalm. (See verses 8,15,21,31,43)

How often in the course of life are we dependent upon the kindness of the Lord! Every temporal need including the security of home, the kindness of a friend, healing in times of illness or depression, and the sustenance of daily bread all come from God. In addition to these things, the Lord gives us all of the tools to deliver us from spiritual bondage and the unsound use of our lives.  God mercifully paves the way for the solace of fellowship with him.

Sadly, our view of God’s lovingkindness is often skewed. We want God to make us happy. We want God to “keep the deal that we make with him”. However, according to this Psalm the lovingkindness of the Lord is bringing our heart and our will to be at one with him. This is his blessed and most loving gift. When this is absent, no amount of earthly good satisfies or can make us really blessed. When this is present, no amount of earthly sorrow can rob the soul of its peace and trust. This then is the lovingkindness of the Lord. It is found in a heart that always says to God, “thy will be done“.

Thus, understanding the lovingkindness of God requires a humble heart. The rebellious must be humbled. (vs. 12) The Psalm pictures various situations from the wilderness (vs. 14) to prison (vs.16), to the sea. (vs. 23)  In each scene, the self-trusting soul has turned to one who is meek and lowly. This change is absolutely necessary for there to be true peace with God.

Through the process of God’s discipline and word, his lovingkindness can humble the proud heart. It convicts one of sin and removes the spirit of self-sufficiency. Those who yield will find true contentment with God.

We can never measure what we owe to God for his daily lovingkindness. Indeed, it is only the wise who will observe and take account of the Divine source of all human blessings.  Thus, the Psalm ends in this manner: Whoever is wise will observe these things, And they will understand the lovingkindness of the LORD. (Psalm 107:43)

By George Slover