Lesson No. 36 

Lesson No. 36 Third Commandment

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: Exodus chapter 20: verse 7.51 The consideration of this commandment has brought to light several ways in which God’s name can be taken in vain. Among them are: mentioning His name disrespectfully, using it in an informal or careless manner, when we invoke His name over matters of no due importance, when we repeat it frequently and without reflection, and when we swear by God’s name. Likewise, when we relay a message or word in His name without Him having communicated it to us, we violate this commandment. His name, according to the original Hebrew text, is "יהוה" (YHVH: [“the Lord”]). It is transliterated in most versions as “Jehovah,” just as it is currently pronounced. Logically—in my own view—this includes the allusion to the Son or the Holy Spirit as Beings within the Godhead.

To better understand the reason for this divine commandment, it is necessary to consider that these words were initially directed, at the beginning of His legacy, directly to the Hebrew people, God’s chosen people.

Since His first manifestations, God had made Himself known among them with His own name. By the time this precept was promulgated, He had already identified Himself very well with His people. In their presence, He had performed wondrous miracles and marvels. Beginning with the ten plagues of Egypt, through His colossal manifestations of power throughout the exodus to Mount Sinai, where different laws were conveyed to them, including the Ten Commandments. Therefore, each of them was fully aware that by mentioning this name, they were referring to the Supreme Being, the omniscient and almighty God, possessed of infinite goodness, full of love and mercy for those who love Him and keep His commandments. YHVH, the God of Israel, transliterated as Jehovah, was thus known as the Being worthy of all respect and honor. Would anyone consider lightly His holy name, or mention it disrespectfully or in any of the other referred manners? The one who did such a thing would not be worthy of enjoying the benevolences of the Supreme Creator. Therefore, the holy commandment decrees, saying: "...For the Lord will not hold him guiltless who takes His name in vain".

Also today, we are God’s chosen people. The miracles and marvels He performed among His first chosen ones we believe to be as true as if He had performed them among us. Likewise, in many ways, the Almighty God has manifested Himself in our lives, providing us with clear evidence of His love, grandeur, and magnificence. Would anyone among us be so naive as to take His name in vain in some way? Sinners often do so, but remember, if they do not repent, God will not consider them innocent.

We know that most do so due to the lack of necessary theological instruction, but I hope that this simple commentary can help many understand God's determination with respect to this important commandment of His. I also hope that it will always be remembered to mention God’s name with all respect and solemnity because the Lord will not hold anyone guiltless who takes His name in vain.

Curious fact: According to the authentic account of our late sister Norca Cano, a distinguished and honorable Christian missionary, it is said that there used to be a law in Spain that prohibited any artist in show business, etc., from using God’s name in comedies, representations, and acts that weren’t religious, in expressions such as: Oh my God, how you’ve changed! Thank God I’m going to the concert! Oh God, let him return soon! All this was considered a violation of the third commandment.