DAY 1 – May 3, 2010
“BACK TO BASICS” (a study of the Ten Commandments)
TITLE: “YOU SHALL NOT”
WEEKLY SCRIPTURE
DAILY SCRIPTURE
KEY VERSE: “You shall not misuse the name of the Lord your God, for the Lord will not hold anyone guiltless who misuses his name.” Exodus 20:7
The words, “you shall not” were used in the second commandment. Just as there was no room for negotiation or compromise in the second commandment, there is no room for these in the third commandment. Remember, these are commandments and not just suggestions. The strong and clear phrase “you shall not” again calls for attention, as we focus on this third commandment. Options are eliminated and all doubt as to what we are not to do is removed. There is only one way to interpret these words. This commandment leaves no room for compromise or negotiation.
When I was a kid, I remember the day my dad brought home our first black and white television. As a kid growing up, one of our favorite television shows to watch was Tarzan. It has been reported that back in 1931, Irving Thalberg of MGM decided he wanted to buy the film rights to Tarzan, written by Edgar Rice Burroughs. So, Thalberg sent Sam Marx to negotiate with Burroughs, telling Marx not to spend more than $100,000, an extraordinarily large sum in those days. Marx contacted Burroughs and asked how much he wanted for the film rights. "$100,000," said Burroughs. When Marx offered him $25,000, Burroughs walked out of the meeting. However, Marx and Burroughs continued to negotiate throughout the summer. Burroughs eventually settled for $40,000. After signing the contract, Burroughs admitted that he had wanted MGM and Thalberg to make the picture so badly, they could have had it for nothing if they had insisted. "Mr. Burroughs," replied Marx, "If you had held out, you could have gotten $100,000!"
Both of these men were willing to negotiate and compromise to get what they wanted. The outcome could have been much different, but their willingness to compromise and negotiate impacted the outcome. There is no negotiating with God on the issue of misusing the name of the Lord. This is a non-negotiable commandment, with no room for compromise, for there are some things that are just not allowed. God is a God who just does not allow us to do whatever we want, but says, “no” to us because He loves us.
How do you deal with the “you shall not” things in your life, those things that God makes so clear that there can be no room for negotiation or compromise? Do you offer God excuses or do you obey? Do you justify your actions and go ahead and disobey, convincing yourself that it will be okay? Do you go ahead and try to negotiate and compromise? There are many things in this journey of life that are “you shall not” things. What will your answer be?
DAY 2 – May 4, 2010
“BACK TO BASICS” (a study of the Ten Commandments)
TITLE: “MISUSE”
WEEKLY SCRIPTURE
DAILY SCRIPTURE
KEY VERSE: “You shall not misuse the name of the Lord your God, for the Lord will not hold anyone guiltless who misuses his name.” Exodus 20:7
As a student in college, I enjoyed hearing and gathering statistics. However, during those college years, I became very aware that statistics can easily be misused. It has been stated that a misuse of statistics occurs when a statistical argument asserts a falsehood. Misuses can be easy to fall into. Professional scientists, even mathematicians and professional statisticians, can be fooled by even some simple methods, even if they are careful to check everything. One article from Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia, listed several types of misuse of statistics. They include: discarding unfavorable data, loaded questions, biased samples, misreporting or misunderstanding of estimated error, and data manipulation, along with many others.
Statistics are just one of many things that can be misused. The misuse of words, prescription drugs, and a variety of other products are just a few other examples of things that can be misused. Here, the commandment is not to misuse the name of the Lord, your God.
The Hebrew word translated, ‘misuse’ means ‘in vain, unreal, empty, trivial, nothingness, frivolous, or insincere’. Literally, God was commanding His people not to lift up or take up His name with emptiness. To misuse God’s name is to treat it lightly or not take it serious. God’s people are not to trifle with God’s name.
God declares that His name must be spoken and heard with reverence. Flippant uses of terms related to God’s name, such as times when someone expresses anger or surprise, reveal a lack of reverence for God, who is represented by His name. God’s name is not to be cheapened in any way by our speech. God is Holy and His name is Holy and worthy of all reverence. How we use God’s name matters to God. When you and I really grasp and embrace who God is, with reverence, it makes a profound and radical difference in how we use His precious name.
“Precious Name, oh, how sweet!
Hope of earth and joy of Heav’n;
Precious Name, oh, how sweet!
Hope of earth and joy of Heav’n.” (Lydia O.
Baxter)
DAY 3 – MAY 5
“BACK TO BASICS” (a study of the Ten Commandments)
TITLE: “THE NAME OF THE LORD”
WEEKLY SCRIPTURE
DAILY SCRIPTURE
KEY VERSE: “You shall not misuse the name of the Lord your God, for the Lord will not hold anyone guiltless who misuses his name.” Exodus 20:7
When I was growing up in the church, we sang a song that said, “He’s able, He’s able, I know He’s able. I know my God is able to see me through.” Another song around the same theme went like this, “God can do anything, anything, anything, God can do anything but fail. He can save, He can keep, He can cleanse, and He will; God can do anything but fail.” God is a big God. The Psalmist said, “Let them praise the name of the Lord, for his name alone is exalted; his splendor is above the earth and the heavens.” Psalm 148:13
This familiar word, ‘God’ brings up a variety of images. For many, this name speaks of one unknown. Some see it as a word to be feared, and others, as a name with little significance for their daily lives. For those of us who know God personally, the name brings hope, love, grace, mercy, goodness, help, and a variety of other positive images that come to mind.
There are many names for God in the Old Testament. In the Old Testament times, a name was not only identification, but an identity, as well. Often, a special meaning was attached to the name. Throughout scripture, God reveals Himself to us through His names. When we study these names, we will better understand who God really is. Through His names, we have a picture of who He is. Take a few moments to prayerfully reflect on this partial list of the names of God given in the Old Testament.
El Shaddai (Lord God Almighty)
El Elyon (The Most High God)
Adonai (Lord, Master)
Yahweh (Lord, Jehovah)
Jehovah Nissi (The Lord, My Banner)
Jehovah-Raah (The Lord, My Shepherd)
Jehovah Rapha (The Lord that Heals)
Jehovah Shammah (The Lord is There)
Jehovah Tsidkenu (The Lord Our Righteousness)
Jehovah Mekoddishkem (The Lord Who Sanctifies You)
El Olam (The Everlasting God)
Elohim (God)
Jehovah Jireh (The Lord will Provide)
Jehovah Shalom (The Lord is Peace)
Jehovah Sabaoth (The Lord of Hosts)
DAY 4 – MAY 6
“BACK TO BASICS” (a study of the Ten Commandments)
TITLE: “YOUR GOD”
WEEKLY SCRIPTURE
DAILY SCRIPTURE
KEY VERSE: “You shall not misuse the name of the Lord your God, for the Lord will not hold anyone guiltless who misuses his name.” Exodus 20:7
I have had the
privilege of meeting some wonderful servants of the Lord through the years. My
life has been greatly impacted and encouraged by the many people God has
brought into my life. Among these is a man by the name of John. He loved the
Lord deeply and spent several years serving as a missionary in
“Oh God, You are my
God
And I will ever praise You
Oh God, You are my God
And I will ever praise You
I will seek You in the morning
And I will learn to walk in Your ways
And step by step You'll lead me
And I will follow You all of my days” (Rich
Mullins)
Let’s stop for a moment and think about those opening words, “You are my God.” As I meditate on that phrase, I cannot help but be thankful for the intimate relationship we have with God through Jesus Christ. What a privilege it is to have a personal relationship with God. Jehovah is the highest name ever breathed from the lips of man yet, He desires to be your God. He is transcendent, eternal, and unapproachable, but He is also personal, omnipresent, and knowable. God is a personal God who is reachable. He is able to meet every need you have. Paul wrote, “And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:19
The concept of the Lord, as the Shepherd, runs through the pages of scripture. To the people of the Bible lands, the imagery of people, as sheep, and God, as the Shepherd, is clear. Sheep need a shepherd. In Psalm 23, the Psalmist describes what it is like to be shepherded by the great Shepherd. The psalm begins with the word, “The Lord is my shepherd.” What does it mean to you today to know that God is your God?
A pastor was busy in his office when someone from the local paper called to ask what the title of his next sermon would be. The preacher answered, “The Lord is My Shepherd.” The newspaper reporter replied, “Is that all?” to which the preacher answered, “That’s enough.” When it appeared in the paper the next day, it read, “The Lord is My Shepherd and That’s Enough”.
DAY 5 – MAY 7
“BACK TO BASICS” (a study of the Ten Commandments)
TITLE: “ACCOUNTABILITY”
WEEKLY SCRIPTURE
DAILY SCRIPTURE
KEY VERSE: “You shall not misuse the name of the Lord your God, for the Lord will not hold anyone guiltless who misuses his name.” Exodus 20:7
The last part of this verse reveals that this commandment is serious to God. He really does care about how we use His name. The way we use His name reveals a lot about our relationship with Him and our reverence for Him. God wants us to use His name. God wants us to use His powerful name when witnessing. God is pleased when we use His name in true worship and adoration. God works as we pray in His powerful name. However, God’s name must not be misused. God’s holy names must be used in a way that matches who He is.
God will not ignore how we use His name. In life, sometimes we ignore comments someone makes or something someone does to us. God will not ignore the misuse of His name. We are accountable to God for how we use His name. And, who we are accountable to can make a lot of difference. It is to God that we must give answer for the words we speak. Matthew 12:36-37 says, “But I tell you that men will have to give account on the day of judgment for every careless word they have spoken. For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned.” God cares about the words we speak and will hold us accountable for them. God cares about how we use His name and will hold us accountable.
When Donald & Simmie Godwin
took their four-year-old grandson camping at
This week, our ten year old daughter, Amanda, showed me her report card from school. As we looked at it together, I was reminded that for her it was a time of accountability. She was being held accountable for what she did and the way she acted in school. There is a day of accountability coming for all of us. We are accountable to God for how we use, and for what we do, with His name.