Different Life: 2nd CommandmentSample

Here’s the second commandment: “You shall not misuse the name of Yahweh your God, for Yahweh will not hold anyone guiltless who misuses his name.” (Exodus 20:7 WEB). Or as older translations put it: “You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain.”

It might seem odd that misusing God’s name would make the top ten. But there’s something about a name that’s special. Our name is how we’re known. Our name is our reputation. A name distinguishes us. It speaks to the character and essence of who we are. At times the Bible will use the word “name” as a synonym for God himself. When we call someone by name, it implies something intimate. Referring to someone by their title or even a formal “mister” or “miss” implies far less familiarity and friendship than using their first name.

God’s name is special. Because God is special. Words like “God” and “Lord” are wonderful titles, but God invites us to know him by name. In Hebrew, his name comes out like this: YHWH. Most people pronounce it Yahweh. (Keep in mind that when the Old Testament uses the capital LORD, it’s masking God’s personal name of YHWH. God’s name occurs so frequently that it actually constitutes 4% of the Old Testament’s vocabulary.)

God wants you to know who he is! By name. At its core, the second commandment is about recognizing something special in God. It’s an invitation by God to know him.