The Ten Commandments - #2

Hey folks! As we begin our journey through Lent, our kids are transitioning into a series of lessons about the Ten Commandents.

The Ten Commandments and the moral vision they espouse form the foundation of Christian moral teaching. With a little consideration one can see this everywhere, from the way we think about worship, to the way we think about the value of human life, humility, jealousy, and so on.

Read our introduction to the Ten Commandments (along with a bit about the first commandment) here.

This week we’re going to look at the second commandment, Ex. 20:7: “You shall not misuse the name of the LORD your God, for the LORD will not hold anyone guiltless who misuses his name.” There’s a lot to say here, but for our purposes we’ll stick with two:

First, this commandment is about respect for God, which, of course, he is due.

Second, this commandment is about keeping the name of God out of the realm of deceit or untruth. 

It’s been noted that among all the words in Scriptural revelation, there is one that is unique: the name God gives to himself. The Lord’s name is holy (Ps. 105:3). That alone is sufficient reason for us to use it with reverence—to only introduce it into our speech for the sake of blessing (“God bless you!”), praise (“Praise to you, Lord God!”), and to glorify it. 

Traditionally the church has also taught that a member of the household of God is to be known as a truth-teller: one who does not swear falsely. For such a person (i.e., one who doesn’t use the name of the Lord except for the purposes of establishing one’s sincere conviction or promise) the name of God can be used as a kind of guarantee (like when we have public officials or those who give testimony in court place their hand on the scriptures before they speak). 

This is a kind of protection of God’s “reputation” as it were. Those who take the name of God upon themselves (“I am a ‘Christian’”) are also priests called to live and work for the life of the world! As such it is imperative that our manner of life is in alignment (we’re always working on this!) with the character of God. And God does not lie. 

Finally, it's crucial to note that all of us have failed to varying degrees in keeping this commandment, and for that, of course, God has inexhaustible grace in Christ. The cry of the Prophet Isaiah, "I am a man of unclean lips!" is a cry we can all rightfully own. Never forget, however, how God responds: he heals him at the very point of his brokenness (a coal from the Altar of God to his lips) and turns him into the greatest prophet the world has ever known (excepting Jesus).

God delights to take men and women like this--like us--to heal us and use us for things beyond anything we can ask or imagine.

Scripture to consider:

• Exodus 20:7

• Isaiah 6:1-8

  
  

Question for your kids

• How could we grow in using our words to build one another up instead of tearing one another down?

Peace,

Danny+