While spending some time in a mountain cabin earlier in 2013, I began studying the book of Hosea; accompanied by the article “How Could I Give You Up Ephraim” (Come, Enter the Mikvah.) From this study, I was launched into a detailed examination of one of the Ten Commandments.
On page 7 of the article, near the top of the page, the word “whoring” is described. It is also described in the Word as the breaking of the first three commandments:
- Putting other gods in His face, running after what appeases the flesh
- Rejecting His rule over us
- Bringing His Name to nothingness
Scripture Reference:
(Exodus 20:7) “Thou shalt not take the name of Yahuweh thy Elohim in vain; for Yahuweh will not hold him guiltless that takes His Name in vain.”(Mark 3:29) “But he that shall blaspheme against the Spirit hath never forgiveness, but is in danger of eternal damnation”
In Hebraic understanding – the ancient ways – the name, a persons name, is the breath or very character of that person – the spirit of that person. In Exodus 20:7, the Name of Yahuweh is His breath, the very character, nature and reputation of Himself – His Spirit.
To take in Hebrew is the word ‘nasa’ – simply it means to bear, carry and even to forgive as in Exodus 34 where it describes His nature of mercy and longsuffering – forgiving iniquity and sin – It is a picture of Messiah bearing the stake. It also means to bear as in bearing fruit.
In Exodus 28, the same word is used of Aaron ‘bearing’ the names of Israel on his shoulders by wearing the ephod (shoulder garment). When the priests bore up the Ark – the same word is used. Also ‘bearing’ false witness is the same word or bearing up armor. Basically it is the taking upon oneself the very nature of Yahuweh. Messiah actually ‘bears’ His Father’s Name – taking it as His own.
To take the name of Yahuweh in vain is the same as in Mark 3:29 – To blaspheme the Spirit – Yahuweh is Spirit (2 Corinthians 3:17-18) – means to strip Him of His worth, respect, dignity and honor thus stripping Him of His character – refusing to acknowledge Him and Who He is. He is the essence of goodness and rejecting that goodness distorts one’s view of Him thus resulting in one seeing evil as good and good as evil. (Isaiah 5:20)
In addition, if you blaspheme the Spirit, there no longer exists the means for forgiveness. This is due to one rejecting the very character of Yahuweh; Who is the gift of repentance offered to those who would humbly accept it with a broken and contrite heart. Without the Spirit, there can be no gift of repentance. Without the gift of repentance, forgiveness is unattainable. (See Revelation 9 which speaks of the horrors of the ones who cannot repent any longer; a result of rejecting Yahuweh, His extended mercy and His most precious Gift)
Vain simply means to make empty and desolate as a wind blows over the land pulling out the moisture or stripping/wicking the moisture from the land leaving it empty, barren, ruined and desolate. It is dried up essentially stripping the sweetness and aroma of His beautiful loving nature and character – making it desolate!
This commandment is the only one (of course all of them, if not followed, will have punishment) but this is the only one that says that the one who does this WILL NOT go unpunished – see Mark 3:29; in other words will not be considered blameless and pure or innocent as an infant – and we all know those in this state have their place in outer darkness; driven and cast away from His presence…a most frightening thought!
So, in understanding the basic components of this Commandment, one may read and understand it this way:
You shall NOT TAKE (lift up, bear, carry, bringing forth as fruit, bearing upon yourself and making it your own), THE NAME (the very Spirit, breath, character, ways, nature and thinking) OF YAHUWEH IN VAIN (by stripping His Name and wicking the moisture and breath from it, the very beauty, aroma and sweetness that is due unto it – not in matter of word alone but also in action; robbing His Name dry, making it desolate, empty and void of the worth and respect it deserves – leaving His Spirit, breath and character in ruin and utterly barren – reversing Who He is and calling that action good. ) By doing these things He will consider you a blasphemer, one who is guilty, defiled AND NOT blameless, innocent or pure; therefore He will leave you with punishment (without forgiveness.)
Conclusion
His enemies, including those without Torah, break this commandment, not only using words to slander by taking His name in vain, but backing up their words with their actions; standing against His nature (i.e.. Psalm 2 – throwing off the bands of Torah.) The world desires, AND HAS ALREADY, thrown off His right to reign and wants nothing of His character!
According to today’s news headlines – It is reported that the ebook, “Mein Kampf”, has made it to Amazon’s Best Seller list. What does this tell you of the condition of the world?
Examine yourself today – in what ways do your actions strip away the merciful, gracious and loving-compassionate nature of a Father for His children in order to fuel personal agendas in a very temporal world?
I think David says it best here and thus will close with his closing words in Psalm 139:17-24:
And how precious are Your thoughts to me, O El! How great has been the sum of them!If I should count them, They would be more than the sand; When I wake up, I am still with You.Oh, that You would slay the wrong, O Eloah! Depart from me, therefore, men of bloodshed!They speak against You wickedly. Bring Your enemies to naught!O יהוה, do I not hate them, who hate You? And do I not loathe and abhor those who rise up in rebellion against You?With a complete hatred I hate them; They have become my enemies.Search me, O El, and know my heart; Try me, and know my thoughts;And see if any idolatrous way is in me, And lead me in the way everlasting.
Much Joy and Peace to you!
A wonderful teaching. Thank you.