“The Third Commandment”

Lev 24 Today in our secular world, we find that men “yawn” at the Ten Commandments, but this chapter proves that God takes any violation seriously.  When a young man loses his temper in a fight he utters a curse taking the Lord’s name in vain. Others hear of it, resulting in him being isolated and in custody. In today’s world, we hear God’s name taken in vain but more often than not men sigh or yawn and go on their way. Our ears have become less inclined to understand the gravity of this sin but God sees this as a travesty against His character for He is a jealous God and will not share his glory with another.

“You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain, for the LORD will not leave him unpunished who takes His name in vain.” [Ex 20: ]

Moses seeks God and His counsel and He gave Moses this instruction. The people who heard this are to place their hands on his head, and then he is to be stoned. We see this as harsh, but God sees it as a lesson to remember what He said: “I AM the Lord.”

Where are we disobeying this commandment? Where are we careless by our word choices?  Where are we failing to correct those who disobey it out of ignorance or choice? The commandment is clear; revere God and His Name.