[503 words]
“And the son of an Israelitish woman, whose father was an Egyptian, went out among the children of Israel: and this son of the Israelitish woman and a man of lsrael strove together in the camp;And the Israelitish woman’s son blasphemed the name of the LORD, and cursed. And they brought him unto Moses: (and his mother’s name was Shelomith, the daughter of Dibri, of the tribe of Dan). And they put him in ward, that the mind of the LORD might be shewed them. And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, Bring forth him that hath cursed without the camp; and let all that heard him lay their hands upon his head, and let all the congregation stone him. And thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel, saying, Whosoever curseth his God shall bear his sin. And he that blasphemeth the name of the LORD, he shall surely be put to death, and all the congregation shall certainly stone as well the stranger, as he that is born in the land when he blasphemeth the name of the LORD, shalt be put to death” (Leviticus 24:10-16).
In the book of Leviticus we read of a man that blasphemed the name of the Lord and lost his life as a result. The words translated blasphemeth” means literally “to pierce” and “cursed” means to be without significance. That someone would pierce God’s name and treat it as insignificant is shown to be a heinous and capital crime. God here is defending the honor of His Holy Name. This shows us that we need to appreciate the enormity of this sin. For us to lose respect for the person of God is for Him to lose all influence in our life. There is nothing more important than “hallowing” the name of God. Reverence and respect of God are the beginning of worship and service.
One must wonder if we were still living under the Mosaic Law today, how many would lose their lives due to their frivolous and irreverent use of God’s name? The same God continues to forbid all profane and flippant use of His Name. Exodus 20:7 says “Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD thy God in vain; for the LORD will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain.” While it is true that the Ten Commandments are not binding today, it is also true that God continues to be serious about the vain use of His name. In Matthew 12:36-37, Jesus explained: “But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment. For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned.” This would include the vain use of God’s name as well.
Friends, let us be warned and carefully consider what comes out of our mouths and determine that we will not use the Lord God’s name in vain.
Jerry D. Sturgill
Flatwoods Church of Christ
Flatwoods, KY